VILLAGE GOING $4.8 MILLION MORE IN DEBT

By Joseph Wiszowaty

SAUK VILLAGE |  The Village will soon be getting a $4.8 million loan from the State of Illinois to install air strippers to treat the contaminated drinking water.

Well # 3 on the village’s north side of town adjacent to the YRC (Roadway) property has been shut down since 2009 when a known carcinogen vinyl chloride was detected in the village’s drinking water at well #3.  This prompted action by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency and litigation brought by Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan’s office to force the village to take action to clean up the drinking water and get well #3 back up and running or connect to another source.

Mayor David Hanks announced during his report Tuesday night that the village “signed all the paperwork Friday” for a loan of $4.868,900 in the form of a loan from the State of Illinois at a fixed rate of 1.9%.  The Village will proceed with the contract which has already been awarded for $4.1 million within 60 days according to Village Engineer Jim Czarnik of Robinson Engineering.  

Village Trustee Lynda Washington, who was once an advocate for Lake Michigan water,  was so excited about the $4.1 million dollar loan she began clapping stating “when I borrow money from people I want what I want right there” prompting Trustee Derrick Burgess to remind Washington “you’ve got to pay the money back though” eliciting some chuckles. 

After well #3 is complete the village will complete the installation of the permanent air stripping towers and new iron removal system for wells #1 and #2 at the location on Sauk Trail according to Czarnik.

In other business the residents learned there has been more money moving around village hall after Burgess questioned Hanks on the matter.  Residents discovered that Hanks authorized borrowing  borrowed an additional $140,000-$150,000 from either the “water fund or other funds” so that the Village could make payroll according to Hanks.  There was no action by the Village Board on the transferring and borrowing of the funds and Hanks was not clear on the exact amount or which funds these were borrowed.   According to Hanks the Village will repay these funds in addition to the $449,000 previously borrowed when tax revenues come in sometime in March.

Burgess also advised the Village Board that he had spoken with United State Senator Dick Durbin during his visit that the Village needed some financial assistance with the water situation.  Burgess reminded Durbin that former Congressman Jesse Jackson obtained federal funds funds for neighboring Ford Heights to obtain Lake Michigan water and they were not facing a contamination threat to their drinking water.  Durbin remained noncommittal according to Burgess but was well aware of the Village’s water plight because of news media reports.

EDITORIAL NOTE:  This would be the village’s largest water improvement project since 1988 when the Village installed the Iron Removal System and issued bonds for a total of $1.2 million (about $2.3 million in today's dollars when adjusted for inflation) following a referendum which passed November 4,  1986, by  1010 yes to 470 no.

In March, 2012 the residents of Sauk Village went to the polls and voted to abandon the 55 year old wells in favor of bringing Lake Michigan Water to the Village by 740 yes and 670 no.  In fact 1410 voters came out to the polls that day, only 50 more voted in the 2013 mayoral race in Sauk Village.

The residents of Sauk Village did not approve any referendum on Hanks’ water improvement plan and whether it should have included a upgrade to the iron removal system.  The plan was presented to Attorney General Lisa Madigan’s office who agreed with it but stated that the Village needs to find a long-term alternative to their well water in the Consent Decree.

According to Robinson Engineering’s leak detection study,  the water loss has decreased from nearly 50% to some 20% according to Czarnik during a previous village board meeting.

Some residents have privately filed a class action lawsuit against YRC(Roadway) for contaminating the Village’s water supply.  A similar lawsuit filed against the Village of Sauk Village was dismissed in 2013.


Original material copyright 2014 Sauk Villager News; all rights reserved.

SENATOR DURBIN ADDRESSES FORUM IN SAUK VILLAGE

US Senator Dick Durbin arrives

By Joseph Wiszowaty
SAUK VILLAGE | Sauk Village played host Friday, January 24th to the quarterly meeting of the Chicago Southland Economic Development Corporation’s Winter Forum.  Never before has a United States Senator attended a function in Sauk Village, however, Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) was not there to address the residents, he was the guests of honor along with Congresswoman Robin Kelly (D-IL2nd).  Both were introduced by the organization’s Executive Board Chairman Michael Scholefield who served as master of ceremonies for the event.

About 200 were in attendance at the Quarterly Forum which generally draws from 150 to 250 people on average according to Scholefield.

Durbin was greeted by a standing ovation as he came to the podium.  “I’m not going to forget this turnout in Sauk Village, Mayor Hanks congratulations, you have a beautiful Village Hall.  It took a little investigation to figure out the key to his political success, but I’ve got it!  10 Kids” Durbin quipped. 

Durbin talked about Congress’ budget success.  “Something happened that was just miraculous in Washington last week.  We passed a budget” Durbin said to a round of applause.

“The Speaker of the House John Boenher said I’m going to support this bi-partisan budget and I thought praise the Lord.   I hope this is the beginning of the efforts on some bipartisan developments” Durbin said.

Durbin spoke about the Marketplace Fairness act that sales tax will be collected on internet sales which will come back to the local municipalities   Durbin supports sales tax on internet sales so that the revenues are not lost.  When someone makes a purchase online the local communities will get the revenues Durbin said.  Durbin feels that this will level the playing field with local businesses and online businesses.

“Something that is critically important to the state of Illinois.  We are smack dab in the middle of this nation” Durbin said.   Durbin spoke about the Transportation bill that the government needs to develop ways in which we need to increase revenues for improving infrastructure for roads.

Durbin said that Amazon wants to build logistic centers all across the state of Illinois once the Marketplace Fairness Act passed.

“I never ask what your political affiliation is.  I work with mayors from both political parties and we treat everyone professionally and I hope they feel they have been treated professionally in my office” Durbin said.  “When it comes to creating jobs and moving our state forward party is second.  The first obligation that we have is doing the very best for our state” Durbin said.

Gene Williams Mayor of Lynwood & Robin Kelly

Other speakers included Congresswoman Kelly, David Hanks, Mayor of Sauk Village the host community  Brian Quigley of Dermody Partners who spoke about the success of the LogistiCenter of Sauk Village, Mike Wojick, Senior Vice President of the Horton Group who spoke on the Affordable Care Act, Rusty Winchel who told the organization about the advantages of the South Suburban Mayors and Manager Broadband Networking offering to businesses in the Southland .  Finally, Michael Jasso addressed the group and discussed strategic planning coordination with Cook County. 

who discussed the history of the Village and the business environment.

Anthony Deluca & Robin Kelly

Local mayors from other communities were in attendance including neighboring Lynwood, Richton Park, Olympia Fields, Lansing, Country Club Hills, Mokena and many other elected officials and representatives from communities in the South Suburban area.  Illinois State Representative Anthony Deluca, representing the Southland was in attendance. “These typically have a good turnout and it is good to see Senator Durbin here in Sauk Village” Gene Williams, Mayor of Lynwood said.

“We’re glad he (Senator Durbin) and (Congresswoman) Robin Kelly could make it” Ed Paesel, Executive Director of South Suburban Mayors and Managers said following the forum.



Village officials in attendance included Village Clerk Debbie Williams and Village Trustees Derrick Burgess, Lynda Washington, Rosie Williams, John Poskin and Ed Myers.

"This was a good thing for Sauk Village.  I've been to many of these and they always have good turnout" Burgess said following the event.  

Original material, including photos, copyright 2014 Sauk Villager News; all rights reserved.