'Very Valid Concerns' On Blasting: La Grange Trustee

LA GRANGE, IL – La Grange Trustee Beth Augustine is continuing to be the local voice about a quarry's blasting in McCook.

"We hope to have our very valid concerns presented to the quarry soon and would be reaching out to all of the affected towns and government organizations when we do that," Augustine said at Monday's Village Board meeting.

She encouraged people to call the Lyons Township Quarry Council hotline at 1-866-934-3278 to report issues with the blasting. The quarries in McCook handle the hotline.

One quarry, in particular, has drawn local concern. It is owned by Heidelberg Materials, formerly Hanson Aggregates.

"I ask that people continue to call the hotline when they feel these blasts or get dust in their yard or have issues with the gravel truck," Augustine said. "They're not going to do much about it. You may not even get a call back, but it will get these things on record."

She also said a 3-year-old Facebook page for residents concerned about the issue is growing in membership.

On the page, she said, residents explain their experiences with the blasting. One south Brookfield homeowner reported having to repair ceiling cracks twice, she said.

A few years ago, Heidelberg shifted from surface mining to underground at its McCook quarry. That change has made the blasting worse, many residents say.

Heidelberg defends the local quarry, saying it runs within government guidelines. However, Augustine recently questioned the basis for its assertions.