Oakview resident urges action on Illinois American water service and funding

A Lisle resident addressing the board during public comment on Oct. 20 urged village officials to take action regarding water service for Oakview residents who remain on Illinois American Water rather than the village system.

Susan Surreal said she met with Manager Cook and provided deeds related to Illinois American Water as requested by Trustee Lesniak. She expressed concern that revenue from the village’s Wheeling Fund is no longer listed as a separate budget line item and is now handled in the general fund, which she said could make it harder for residents to trace how the funds are used. She asked the village to pursue direct water service and meters for Oakview residents and called for “equal treatment” for those homeowners, two area schools and local businesses she named.

Surreal said Oakview users consume “over a million gallons of water per year,” and argued that the cost burden is large and affects homeowners and taxpayers. She asked the board to move beyond discussion and take action to address the matter.

Manager Cook acknowledged Surreal’s comments; no formal action was taken during the meeting. The village’s staff previously noted that the Wheeling Fund had been used historically for water main extensions and maintenance, and Cook said earlier that staff considered those receipts village revenue.

The transcript does not record a specific staff timetable or a board directive in response to the comment. Surreal also referenced depositions and documents she had supplied and said she would follow up about providing them to the village if possible.