New Western Springs Fee May Start Soon

WESTERN SPRINGS, IL – The Western Springs Village Board is expected to vote soon on a new fee that could cost residents hundreds of dollars a year.

The money would pay for the improvements and maintenance of the village's stormwater system, which includes 50 miles of underground pipes and hundreds of structures.

Much of the infrastructure is more than 90 years old.

"It wasn't designed for today's population and lifestyle," Village President Heidi Rudolph said at Monday's Village Board meeting. "While no one likes to increase fees, we have reached the point in the maintenance of our systems where this approach is our best option."

The board will vote on the fee next month, Rudolph said.

Under a village proposal, the fee would have three tiers. The annual costs under the tiers would be $147, $210 and $294.

According to the village, about 60 percent of households would pay the middle tier – $210 a year.

Officials said they would provide residents credits for such things as rain gardens, cisterns, detention basins and permeable pavement.

At least 15 towns in Illinois already have stormwater fees. They include Downers Grove, Winnetka and Buffalo Grove. Elmhurst is considering one.

The new fee could take effect as soon as the July utility bills.

In November, a slight majority of Western Springs voters rejected a proposed increase in the village's sales tax by 1 percentage point. The tax would have paid for infrastructure projects in general, including for stormwater.