La Grange Can't Assume Flooding Not Problem: Resident

LA GRANGE, IL – No one mentioned flooding at Monday's La Grange Village Board meeting, so resident Laura West brought it up.

West has shown up at many Village Board meetings for the last year and a half. While much of the village's attention is on flooding south of 47th Street, West reminds the village about issues north of that street.

"I haven't heard the word 'flooding' once in this meeting prior to me mentioning it," said West, who lives in the 100 block of Sunset Avenue. "I realize there's probably a lot going on behind the scenes. In our world, every week is a long time. Every month without rain is a lucky one."

In past years, she said, October has been bad when it comes to flooding.

"November is hit or miss," West said. "But I don't think we can rest and assume that we don't have a problem."

Often, Village President Mark Kuchler updates on flooding issues in his report at the beginning of meetings. But he was absent Monday.

Village Manager Jack Knight said an engineering study for north of 47th would likely be finished by the end of the year.

He said the board would then hear a presentation about the report.

"We'll have an opportunity to consider some of the recommendations and prioritize within that report and budget appropriately," he said.

Earlier this year, Kuchler said it was likely the engineers would recommend the Maple Avenue Relief Sewer project, or MARS, which has long been the solution under consideration.

The village has delayed the project because the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District won't allow the added flow until 2029.