BLUE ISLAND
Cost of fixing bridge sidewalks increases
City officials said this week that the engineering cost for repairing the sidewalks of the Chatham Street Bridge will be nearly twice as much as the original estimate.
The engineering will cost $14,500, up from $8,000, Mayor Donald Peloquin told the City Council.
The sidewalks on the bridge over the Cal-Sag Channel, which ordinarily carry commuters to the downtown Metra station, have been closed to pedestrians since last month, when inspectors found them unsafe for pedestrians.
City officials said they could not say when the sidewalks would reopen.
Carmen Greco Jr.
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HOMER GLEN
Water, sewer system takeover weighed
The Village Board gave the go-ahead this week to study the feasibility of acquiring the village’s water and sewer systems by eminent domain.
Residents have complained about high bills from the village’s provider, Illinois American Water, and the village sued the company.
Kevin Hillen, network operations manager for IAW, said he was disappointed that the village is considering using eminent domain.
“As we have said in previous meetings with village officials, the water company in Homer Glen is not for sale and not available for purchase,” he said.
Joseph Hillenmeyer
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HOMEWOOD
Board adopts rules for storing RVs
After weeks of consideration, the Village Board has approved regulations for storing recreational vehicles.
“This is an ordinance that everyone feels we can live with,” Village Planner Beth Barron said at this week’s board meeting. In June, the board decided to delay voting on a more restrictive ordinance after RV owners balked at some regulations.
Under the new ordinance, residents can park RVs anywhere on a lot from April 1 to Oct. 31, provided the vehicle meets certain provisions. But from Nov. 1 to March 31, RVs cannot be stored in a front yard unless the village grants a waiver.
Margie Ritchie
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OAK FOREST
City turns attention to smoking shelters
With the Jan. 1 statewide smoking ban approaching, officials are considering standards for the outdoor smoking shelters that are expected to crop up outside restaurants and bars.
Ald. Nancy Hullinger, who suggested the City Council consider regulating the shelters, said during a committee-of-the whole meeting this week that she wanted to avoid tarps and other makeshift shelters.
City Administrator Steve Jones said Oak Forest could require a shelter to have no more than three solid or semi-enclosed sides and be at least 15 feet from any entrance, exit or window that opens. The shelters also could not exceed 100 square feet or include seating or tables.
Janice Neumann