Homeowner In Noise Dispute: 'We Just Wanted Someone To Listen'

ORLAND PARK, IL — A homeowner on one end of a noise dispute with an Orland Park school says his family's life has been disrupted by the ordeal since 2020, and they've just wanted people to listen to them.

The homeowner on Streamstown Court—who wished to remain anonymous to Patch—wants his side of the situation heard. He said the noise from musical features included on a school playground has impacted his family's quality of life dramatically. He works from home, and the noise is distracting and disruptive, he told Patch.

Orland Park Police Chief Eric Rossi on Friday issued a release to residents regarding the situation. In 2020, District 135 and Prairie Elementary School relocated the school playground to a spot adjacent to the homeowners. The property owner has consistently asked the district and school to remedy the situation, to no avail, the owner said.

The homeowner in recent weeks began playing loud, "vulgar" music after District 135 administration would not remove the musical features of the playground at Prairie Elementary School, Rossi said. The music resulted in noise complaints against the homeowner, but checks on the noise level showed the volume never exceeded village code, Rossi added. They were just trying to drown out the noise from the playground, the homeowner said.

The school recently removed all musical elements of the playground, except for a bell, Rossi said. In turn, the homeowner has stopped playing the music. Rossi, who's mediating the situation, said they are nearing a harmonious solution to the situation.

The family has lived in Orland Park for 30 years, the owner said, and the couple's daughter attended that very school.

"We just wanted someone to listen," the homeowner told Patch, "and now they are."