Politics & Government
Quarry's 'Feet To Fire' In La Grange Litigation: Lawyer
The village hopes trial will help solve the local flooding problem. Attorney says he feels "very positive."
LA GRANGE, IL – A Cook County circuit judge is sticking to a September trial date for a quarry's litigation with La Grange, despite the company's best efforts for a delay, a village lawyer said Monday.
In the last two months, Hanson Aggregates, which owns the quarry in neighboring McCook, has tried to delay the Sept. 19 trial, which village officials hope would help resolve the local flooding problem, attorney Dan Stanner told the Village board.
"I'm happy to say that Judge (Neil) Cohen, who has been involved with it for the last four or five years, recognizes that enough is enough, and it's time to get to the heart of these issues," said Stanner, who is with Chicago-based Tabet, DiVito & Rothstein. "He is holding the quarry's feet to the fire to actually go to trial."
Find out what's happening in La Grangefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The two sides are now presenting motions to determine which evidence is admissible at trial.
"There are no surprises there," Stanner said. "We continue to feel very positive about the village's case and the position we will take at trial."
Find out what's happening in La Grangefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Recent evidence, he said, further supports the village's case against the quarry. He said that evidence would be shared with the Village Board behind closed doors after its open session.
Village President Mark Kuchler, who listened in on a recent hearing, said, "I think (Hanson) is a little amazed that the trial date is still Sept 19."
The trial had been set for July, but was delayed to September.
After flooding in June 2021, southside residents denounced the village for waiting on litigation to solve the flooding problem. But officials said the village would be unable to pay for the 50th Street project if it took smaller measures in the meantime.
The village is trying to install a drainage pipe across the quarry's property, alleging the quarry cut the former pipe in the early 1990s in violation of an easement. The south side has been suffering flooding for years.
Hanson spokesman Jeff Sieg said the company declined to comment because the matter is the subject of ongoing litigation.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
