Homer Glen is seeking $3 million in federal grants toward building a one-mile sanitary sewer line extension and another $1 million in federal funding to provide financial relief for senior citizens burdened with high water bills.
The grant money is not guaranteed, but requesting the federal funds is one step in the process to help reduce the village’s dependency on private septic systems or intergovernmental agreements with other companies and communities, village officials said.
The Village Board approved the funding requests Wednesday, a day after its private water supplier, Illinois American Water, announced it is requesting a rate hike with the Illinois Commerce Commission.
Illinois American Water serves about 6,000 homes in Homer Glen, and village officials and residents have long complained about high water bills. Homer Glen has worked with the Illinois attorney general’s office on numerous concerns with residents’ billing, including unexplainably high water bills, meter errors and inadequate customer service.
Illinois American Water is asking the ICC for new rates to support about $577 million in water and wastewater system investments through December 2027.
The company serves more than 1.3 million people in 148 communities in Illinois.
Among the improvements include replacing 42 miles of aging water and wastewater pipeline and upgrading storage tanks, wells, pumping stations, hydrants, meters and wastewater plants, a news release from the company said.
If approved, the typical residential water customer using 3,500 gallons of water would see an increase of about $14 per month, depending on the service area. Typical customers served by sanitary wastewater systems using 3,500 gallons of water would see an increase of about $28 per month, the release said.
Homer Glen officials said Wednesday they plan to fight the proposed rate hikes with the ICC and urged residents to do the same.
“Please contact them (and) let them know we oppose this rate hike,” Trustee Curt Mason said.
The village is also working on steps to reduce its reliance on other jurisdictions.
“The village is actively working to develop solutions to address affordability and service concerns,” Trustee Mike Lepore said. “And this is 100% committed to obtaining meaningful relief for residents facing rapidly increasing water bills and sewer bills.”
Homer Glen has a contract with Lockport to treat wastewater through 2030, and plans to have its own wastewater treatment plant up and running before then, village attorney Michael Pasquinelli said.
He said it has been a “long, thought-out process.”
“It didn’t happen overnight,” Pasquinelli said. “This is a very, very positive step for the village and it’s one additional step in order to get moving toward the goal of providing meaningful relief for residents.”
The $3 million request would support construction of the one-mile sanitary sewer trunk line along 159th Street and Cedar Road, connecting to the existing Fiddyment Creek sewer line. It would be able to serve unserved and vacant parcels for development, village engineer Brett Westcott said.
It helps the village be in control of developments, he said.
Seeking outside funding is the responsible step to reduce the burden from taxpayers, Trustee Robert Schaller said.
The plan to provide relief for high water bills would prioritize senior citizens, officials said. Details would still need to be finalized if the village obtains the grant.
Will County sheriff Deputy Jesus Espinoza receives the Community Guardian Award from Homer Glen Mayor Christina Neitzke-Troike at Wednesday’s Village Board meeting. (Michelle Mullins/for the Daily Southtown)
Community Guardian Award
The Village Board recognized Will County sheriff’s deputies Jesus Espinoza and Michael Ambrosini with the Community Guardian Award for their efforts last month coming to the aid of an elderly man with dementia who was reported missing.
Officers found the 82-year-old Chicago man after receiving a call of a car driving recklessly near 143rd Street and Creme Road. They were able to stop the car and help reunite the driver with his daughter.
“Their actions reflect the care and commitment they show our community every day,” said Mayor Christina Neitzke-Troike.
Espinoza said residents who see something unusual should call police.
Michelle Mullins is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
