Pushback Against La Grange Flood Argument

LA GRANGE, IL – La Grange has taken no action on a flood relief project for a particular neighborhood. Officials say the village has its reasons.

Two months ago, Laura West, who lives in the 100 block of Sunset Avenue, urged the village to move forward with the Maple Avenue relief sewer project, known as MARS. It would ease drainage problems in her neighborhood, she said.

At the time, Village President Mark Kuchler said the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District has only allowed the village to use half the capacity of the Maple drainage pipe until 2029.

"The reason something wasn't done yesterday is that it won't do any good until 2029," Kuchler said.

Meanwhile, he said the village was seeking money for the project from the federal, state and regional levels.

But if that doesn't work, the village would need to have residents cover the substantial costs of the project, Kuchler said.

At Monday's Village Board meeting, West said she wanted to "push back a little bit" on Kuchler's contention.

"Things take a long time to happen," West said. "If we start planning for MARS today, we will be lucky if it's finished by 2029. If we start breaking ground today, we will be lucky to have it finished by 2029."

She also said the capacity restriction should not delay progress.

"I would argue that having some capacity is better than no capacity at all," West said.

She said the flooding on a corner near her house is not just during big storms, but also during normal rains.

"I would really appreciate it if we get some action because for decades and decades and decades, it's been 'we care, we're working on it,' and nothing has happened," West said.

Kuchler thanked West for her comments, but did not respond to the particulars.

Another major project is the 50th street drainage pipe. But that is contingent on a successful outcome of litigation between the village and the owner of the Hanson Aggregates quarry in McCook. A trial is set for September.