Western Springs May Go $9.5M Into Debt

WESTERN SPRINGS, IL – Western Springs trustees took the first step Monday for the village to go up to $9.5 million into debt, but they said the debt would not cause property taxes to rise.

The priorities for the money are drainage projects in the Springdale and Ridgewood subdivisions, both in southern Western Springs. They are seen as the most flood-prone neighborhoods in the village.

The debt would be paid back by a stormwater fee on homeowners that trustees approved last summer, according to the village.

During the meeting, trustees said they were responding to a major concern of residents.

"Not to sound dramatic about it, but I think this is going to change people's lives," Trustee Al Fink said. "(There are) people whose homes have flooded with 8 feet of water, and they want to sell, but they can't sell because no one's going to buy their house. I think this is huge."

In the Springdale neighborhood, the village is targeting the area near Franklin and Howard avenues. That's a low spot where the village says water flows from the rest of the subdivision and nearby areas of unincorporated Cook County.

The village plans new storm sewer systems in the neighborhood as well as a storm detention system inside nearby Springdale Park.

Matthew Supert, the village's municipal services director, told trustees that the village would go out to bid for the Springdale project soon. He said construction could start as early as this year, but more likely in 2025.

Supert did not give the timeline for the Ridgewood project.

The Village Board voted to start the process of issuing bonds for the projects. A public hearing is required.