Will Verizon Keep 5G Promise to Western Springs?

WESTERN SPRINGS, IL — Earlier this month, a contractor for Verizon put Western Springs on notice that it was proposing 5G antennas for two places in the village.

In response, the village reminded the contractor, EBI Consulting, of a promise it said Verizon made to hold off on antenna proposals during the pandemic.

Proposals for 5G antennas are controversial in Western Springs, Hinsdale and Clarendon Hills. Some residents fear the antennas would hurt the towns' beauty and people's health.

In a letter to Verizon last week, Michael Marrs, an attorney for the village, said the telecom pledged during a March 25 teleconference to refrain from moving forward on antenna applications until the pandemic "resolved itself."

"As I am sure you are aware, the COVID-19 crisis has not resolved itself," Marrs wrote. "In fact, we appear to be experiencing a second 'surge' and Gov. (J.B.) Pritzker issued his most recent Disaster Declaration related to the pandemic just last Friday."

The proposed antennas are planned for 5100 Woodland Ave. and 4048 Western Ave. The company has yet to submit a formal application.

In a statement to residents Tuesday, Village President Alice Gallagher said the village was limited in its powers to allow or deny antennas. The village can deny the installation of such equipment based on aesthetic concerns, but not health and other factors, she said.

"This inability to determine the placement and scope of equipment in our community is unprecedented in my experience, even in a non-home rule community such as Western Springs," Gallager said. "The (Village) Board and staff are as frustrated and infuriated by this usurpation of authority as are the residents who voiced their concerns on the matter during last night’s board meeting, and are doing all we legally can to regain some of that authority."

Gallagher noted state Rep. Deanne Mazzochi, R-Elmhurst, is pushing legislation that would return some local control on 5G antennas. It would allow the ongoing monitoring of cell tower emissions to ensure compliance with federal regulations, Gallagher said, but would not stop the antennas themselves.

Before the teleconference with Verizon earlier this year, Gallagher admonished the telecom in a letter, saying it was "taking advantage" of the crisis in pushing its antenna proposal "when all local resources and efforts are currently geared to managing the public health crisis."