Where To Direct La Grange's Anger

LA GRANGE, IL – La Grange Trustee Glenn Thompson noted Monday that he joined angry residents in forming Dry Up La Grange two years ago.

Upset over flooding in late June 2021, residents told off the Village Board for not seeming to do anything about stormwater issues.

The village, however, said it was fighting a nearby quarry in court. With a victory, officials promised they could start a multimillion-dollar project to help solve flooding on the south side.

Speaking to the Village Board on Monday, Thompson said, "Unfortunately, not all of our anger was properly aimed at the village, and I would like to recap who we really should be angry at and why we need the support of everyone in this village to get this done."

The No. 1 object of blame, he said, should be the quarry. Last month, the village prevailed in court over the quarry, but the company is appealing.

He also said the La Grange Country Club is a "bad guy" that deserves its share of the blame.

Additionally, Thompson pointed the finger at the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District, which handles drainage issues in the suburbs.

"MWRD intentionally does not give money to the (western suburbs)," said Thompson, who was elected in April.

The regional agency also considers La Grange's flooding a local issue, even though the village has presented evidence that shows stormwater comes from La Grange Highlands, Countryside, and Western Springs, Thompson said

"We all want to solve this issue," he said. "This issue is very difficult to solve. It's going to take a lot of time to get this done, and just pray that we never end up being Berwyn, Cicero or the state of New York or the state of Vermont," which all experienced flooding recently.