5G Antenna Application Withdrawn In Western Springs

WESTERN SPRINGS, IL — The company that asked to install "a small wireless facility on an existing wood utility pole" in Western Springs withdrew its request Wednesday. It is the latest chapter in the ongoing controversy over the possibility of 5G antennas in Western Springs and Hinsdale.

On Dec. 26, Western Springs sent a letter to Houston-based Crown Castle, saying its application for the 5G antenna was incomplete and deficient. The village identified more than 30 issues with the paperwork.

Among other things, the village said the company failed to indicate which telecommunications provider it was acting on behalf of. Crown Castle typically installs wireless equipment and leases it to bigger companies.

In its letter to the company, Western Springs also requested a digital simulation to see before and after views of how the utility pole will look with the equipment. Its application states that the pole in question is nearly 24 feet and that the antenna would extend it by 7 feet.

As of Wednesday, neighboring Hinsdale had yet to receive a 5G antenna application. Residents in both towns fear the microwave radiation from the antennas could cause a variety of health problems. They have formed a Facebook group, and leaders from both villages are pushing the state to give greater local control over the placement of towers.

Selmin Cicek, Western Springs' spokeswoman, said the company did not give a reason to the village for withdrawing its application.

Drew Parker, the Crown Castle executive who signed the paperwork, declined to comment. Later, Paul Gilbert of Crown Castle issued a statement: "We withdrew our application for a small cell node in the Village of Western Springs, and we are currently evaluating alternative locations."

In October, Western Springs Village President Alice Gallagher wrote a letter to state lawmakers, saying her village seeks local authority on the deployment of 5G equipment.

"Understandably, many of our residents worry that the increase of radio frequency emissions will negatively impact public health," she said in the letter. "We have done some research on our end to identify potential risks, but have not found reliable data that answers the specific questions."