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Hinsdale resident urges action on repeated Elm Street flooding and raises concerns about 'concerned parents' groups
Summary
At the Feb. 3 meeting, resident Susie Thorpe described four instances of severe flooding that have trapped children and staff at her Elm Street clinic and asked the village to investigate; she also warned that groups operating as 'concerned parents' have targeted local schools and libraries and may stigmatize LGBTQ youth.
During the public‑comment period at the Hinsdale Village Board meeting on Feb. 3, resident and local business owner Susie Thorpe described recurring, severe flooding along Elm Street near Ogden that has disrupted therapy sessions at her Seasons Therapy Group clinic and posed safety challenges for families.
"Elm Street in front of the Lane School... floods pretty significantly anytime we have rain," Thorpe said, describing instances when families and staff were trapped and therapy sessions were canceled. She said police sometimes arrive and block streets, but the response can be too late to prevent hardship and safety concerns for children and families. Thorpe offered to share photographs with village staff documenting the flooding.
Thorpe also spoke about what she called organized groups operating as "concerned parents" in Hinsdale and Illinois that have protested school and library policies. She said some of these groups' statements and agendas are "exclusionary and harmful towards vulnerable youth, particularly our LGBTQ students and families," and urged board members to foster policies that support children's mental health and reduce stigma.
Village staff and trustees responded that staff would follow up. The village president asked staff (identified in the meeting as George) to contact Thorpe after the meeting to review available options; trustees acknowledged flooding in the northeast section of Hinsdale and said they would look into it further.
Why it matters: Repeated localized flooding that interferes with businesses and child‑focused services raises immediate public‑works and safety concerns for residents and service providers. Thorpe’s comments about parent‑organizing groups reflect ongoing school‑policy debates in many communities and were flagged as a concern for local leaders.
What’s next: Staff will follow up with Thorpe to review photos and possible remediation or mitigation options; trustees indicated the matter will be investigated as part of ongoing infrastructure work.
