Western Springs Land Deal Collapses

WESTERN SPRINGS, IL – After more than a year's work, Western Springs trustees thought they had a deal in February when two next-door neighbors agreed to buy parts of a village right-of-way between their houses.

It didn't work out that way.

At Monday's Village Board meeting, the village's attorney, Michael Jurusik, said one of the neighbors, Raymond Swapa, paid the required amount of money, plus compensation for the village's staff time and legal costs. But Jim Conniff did not.

The men live in the 5200 block of Grand Avenue.

The deadline to pay the money was March 13. Despite reminders, Conniff was late and did not pay the entire amount, Jurusik said. He only paid it all earlier on the day of the meeting, the lawyer said.

This happened despite the village's "patient efforts," Village President Heidi Rudolph said.

"We are a small village, and we pride ourselves on collaboration and trying to work with our residents, but also equity," she said. "The village staff and the board have all spent considerable time and heard all the parties and understand we reached an agreement and passed an ordinance reflecting that agreement."

Rudolph said she was disappointed in having to bring up the issue again.

"Our ordinances need to be respected and adhered to by all parties involved," she said.

Trustee James Tyrrell agreed.

"When we enter into an agreement, we intend to stand by it," he said.

The Village Board voted unanimously to rescind the ordinance on the right-of-way.

Each homeowner agreed to pay for a part of the right-of-way – $61,710 from Swapa and $60,307 from Conniff.

The village said Swapa now has the opportunity to buy the entire right-of-way.