'I'm Keeping Your Drinking Water Safe': Mayor Chapman Says

SHOREWOOD, IL — At the Troy Township Community Center, Shorewood Mayor Rick Chapman delivered his 18th state of the village address last week, and his message was focused on a key quality of life issue facing the growing community: The topic of drinking water.

On a positive note, Chapman told the crowd of more than 100 business representatives and village officials that Shorewood's years of planning is paying off. Shorewood has a plan in place to bring Lake Michigan water to serve the needs of Shorewood for decades to come.

Chapman said that last week's state of the village event marked his 18th such speech as mayor, and "I'm also keeping your drinking water safe. Today, I want to emphasize on water … The lifeblood of the community is water and to get it nowadays is majorly expensive."

But there are still a few unknowns at this point, and for that reason, Chapman does not want the village going on any wild spending sprees in the near future, particularly in terms of issuing bonds for major public infrastructure projects or improvements.

Chapman threw out several hypothetical financial numbers, saying the village does not know whether the Lake Michigan pipeline project will end up costing the village $48 million, $58 million or maybe $78 million.

"We don't really know how much it's going to cost," Chapman explained.

"If I can leave knowing the water is on its way," Chapman remarked, "I'll be a happy camper.

"Believe me, the water is first … Let's not get into any other major expenditures until we know what that (financial) number is."

As far as when the Lake Michigan will make its way into Shorewood, Mayor Chapman estimated "we will be receiving (it) in the next three to four years, just to be conservative. It's been a long road, a difficult road."

On other matters, Mayor Chapman said he was pleased that Shorewood had 121 new housing starts during the past year, and he was particularly pleased with the Anderson Crossroad Plaza. The development at Route 59 and U.S. 52 welcomed the Chicken N Spice restaurant and soon will be adding the relocating Mexican restaurant Casa Maya to one of the other new commercial buildings.

He also expects Aldi will begin construction later this year on one of the lots near Home Depot.

The mayor was proud that Shoot Point Blank is building along the frontage road off U.S. 52 facing I-55.

"It's a good place for all you NRA people to go shoot your toys," Chapman told the crowd. "It's quiet. The walls are thick. They've proved that at other places."