Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Utilities Water topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Oak View residents accuse Lisle of misusing wheeling fund, press board for deeds and answers
Summary
Two Oak View residents used public comment to accuse the village of moving $2 million from an Oak View wheeling fund into the general fund, pressed the board to transfer deeds and raised easement and permit issues for water mains served by Illinois American Water. Trustees said the matter will be brought back for further legal review.
Blake Veil and Susan Sorell told the Lisle Village Board during public comment on April 21 that the village improperly moved money and has not given Oak View residents clear title or access rights to neighborhood water mains.
Veil opened the complaints by accusing the village of taking money earmarked for Oak View: “You guys didn't take $2,000,000 — you stole $2,000,000 from the Oak View Water Fund,” he said, adding that funds budgeted for water-main upgrades would not be used to update residents’ service.
Sorell expanded the accusation with detailed allegations about easements and permits, saying Illinois American Water crews were allowed to place mains on private property without village easements and that residents signed short-term license agreements rather than deeds. “Why are we not on the agenda again? … Because you don't give 1 hoot about the 400 residents over there,” Sorell said, at times angrily addressing the board and warning that Oak View residents were exploring deannexation and legal remedies.
Why it matters: Residents said the dispute touches billing, insurance and long-term maintenance. Sorell asserted that the village moved a wheeling fund into the general fund in February 2017, a change she said deprived Oak View customers of a dedicated resource. She also alleged that residents pay higher insurance rates tied to fire protection and that deannexation could cost the village sales-tax revenue.
Board response and next steps: Trustees and staff did not dispute that the public raised these claims but told residents that the board will return to the topic with additional analysis and legal review. Trustee Saima summarized the legal posture on a separate point raised by residents about case law: “There is not a United States Supreme Court opinion … the Supreme Court just said no. They declined cert,” he said, noting the difference between a petition for certiorari and an actual Supreme Court decision and that the Illinois Supreme Court precedent remains the controlling state decision.
Trustees and staff also suggested administrative and record searches; Trustee Greco recommended historic annexation and plat records be reviewed to clarify right-of-way and acceptance of improvements, and Trustee Mullin noted DuPage County GIS records may show dedicated right-of-way lines. Village officials said staff would return to the board with a legal opinion and any requested records, and the matter will be put on a future agenda for formal board consideration.
No formal action was taken at the April 21 meeting; the comments were recorded during the general public-comment period and will be used to inform staff and the village attorney’s follow up.
