La Grange Park trustees delay vote on lead service-line rate increase pending IEPA loan decision

The Village of La Grange Park Board of Trustees on Thursday voted to postpone implementation of the next phase of a lead service-line replacement rate ordinance until June 2026 while staff awaits confirmation of Illinois EPA loan awards.

The board’s decision follows a presentation from village staff detailing two overlapping replacement timelines: a state schedule that would require about 88 replacements per year (estimated cost about $1.4 million annually) and a possible federal timetable that could raise that to roughly 144 replacements per year (about $2.3 million annually). Director Rick Ratti said the village’s existing $8.40 monthly charge generates roughly $470,000 a year and “would not be sufficient” if loan assistance is not awarded and federal requirements shorten the replacement period.

Trustee Wagner moved to postpone consideration of the ordinance establishing the next-rate phase until June, pending confirmation of the village’s placement on the Illinois EPA intended funding list. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously on roll call.

Village Engineer Mark Lucas and staff explained that the village applied to the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency for multi‑phase loans and that IEPA guidance limits loan eligibility to identified lead or galvanized services (about 855 services) while the village’s broader inventory contains 1,441 lead/galvanized/unknown services. Staff said awarded IEPA loans would operate on a reimbursement basis, requiring the village to advance construction costs for short periods and that loan awards are not guaranteed.

Board members said postponement preserves flexibility: if loans are awarded in June, the current $8.40 rate could cover early years of loan repayment and short-term cash-flow needs; if loans are not awarded the village would need to move quickly to adopt higher rates to meet statutory replacement obligations. Trustee D’Aferio said he favored delay until there is more clarity on loan funding. Trustee Sheehan and others noted recent federal reporting suggesting a 10‑year replacement horizon could be adopted, which would substantially increase annual replacement obligations.

The board asked staff to monitor IEPA outcomes and return with a recommendation in June. The vote leaves the previously approved phased approach in place as a contingency but delays formal action on the next-step ordinance until the village knows how much loan funding it will receive.

Next steps: staff will report back on IEPA funding results and, if necessary, present a revised rate schedule for trustee consideration.