Under Threat: Western Springs Settles With 5G Firm

WESTERN SPRINGS, IL – Western Springs officials minced no words this week in explaining why they were agreeing to settle with a wireless provider.

"We're at a point where the village would be facing imminent litigation if the (Village Board) does not take action on the settlement agreement tonight," Village Manager Ellen Baer said at Monday's board meeting.

Added the village's attorney, Michael Jurusic, "This is a function of trying to avoid litigation. That's where we are today – under the threat of litigation."

The agreement was with Houston-based Crown Castle, which works for Verizon. It plans at least 30 5G antennas on Western Springs' west side.

Hinsdale and Clarendon Hills are in the process of entering similar agreements with Crown Castle.

Last year, Crown Castle submitted a test application for a 5G antenna in Western Springs. After the village listed what it saw as numerous deficiencies in the company's application, Crown Castle objected, saying the village was exceeding its authority.

The federal and state governments bar towns from regulating the health and safety aspects of 5G antennas. But towns do have power over their aesthetics.

"We've been at this a long time," Jurusic told the board. "This is a very measured approach to trying to resolve an issue that has been discussed and has been reviewed."

At the meeting, residents raised a number of issues with the agreement. Among them was how the company would decommission its equipment and how the village would handle radio frequency emissions.

Jurusic responded that the village code and state law cover abandonment and removal of such equipment.

As for radio frequency admissions, he said that issue was "unfortunately" out of the village's hands.

Residents have long objected to the prospect of 5G antennas, saying they would hurt their health and the town's appearance.

The board unanimously supported the settlement, with Trustee Heidi Rudolph prefacing her vote by saying, "Recognizing our authority."

Village President Alice Gallagher, who lobbied state lawmakers to change the state's wireless antenna regulations, did not attend Monday's meeting because of illness. She died the next day.

One of her speeches to lawmakers remains online.