La Grange Park Plans Aug. 10 Public Meeting on Chronic Flooding

Officials in La Grange Park are planning an Aug. 10 public meeting to discuss ways to prevent future flooding, following a rainstorm during the early hours of July 24 that filled basements in town.

The village also wants residents to fill out damage reports by Aug. 2.

At a villagae board meeting on July 27, residents of  Homestead Road and Community Drive in La Grange Park said flooding in these areas has gone unattended for years. Some expressed worry whether the problem will never be fixed.

Trustee Tim Hayes, acting as president pro tem at that meeting in the absence of Village President James Discipio, gave residents ample time to talk about their flooding experiences.

Chris Uhlir, who lives on Homestead Road, said she is worried about backed-up waste seeping into the ground. She said her children might be breathing in toxic fumes.

Another resident pointed out that the infrastructure of the streets is being damaged due to the flooding. Streets and sidewalks are beginning to bubble, indicating that the soil underneath is shifting.

Hayes acknowledged that flooding is a major problem for these particular streets. He said the board realizes the issue is not just with one or two houses but multiple homes.

"We take this issue very seriously," Hayes said. "That is why we will assess and go forward from here to find the best solution."

Village Manager Bohdan J. Proczko said the Aug. 10 meeting will explore possible solutions.

Procko said residents who experienced flooding could fill out a FEMA report indicating the amount of damage they received, and turn it into the village by Aug. 2.

"The short answer to the problem is more pipes," Proczko said. "But this is a complex issue."