Robbins secures $200,000 in Cook County aid after 119th Street water main break; repairs underway

Mayor Darren E. Bryant announced at the Jan. 23 Village of Robbins meeting that Cook County provided $200,000 in emergency assistance to help cover roughly $220,000 in repair costs from a major water main break on 119th Street. The mayor credited Cook County President Toni Preckwinkle and Commissioner Monica Gordon for stepping in to secure the funding.

Bryant said repairs to the break should be completed over the next several weeks. Residents who encounter a suspected water main break were instructed to text their name and address to 708-270-8180 rather than call. The village also said water department services are temporarily operating out of the police department at 3323 W. 137th St. during normal business hours (9 a.m.–3 p.m., Monday–Friday); other village services are located at the Community Center, 13800 Trumbull Ave.

Officials cautioned that technical issues during the building transition delayed water bill mailings; the village will not assess penalties while bills are delayed. Residents may pay via the village Epay system or by mail and were asked not to use third-party payment services. The mayor also reminded residents about other programs mentioned during the meeting, including free smoke detector installations through the Robbins Fire Department and LIHEAP enrollment information for income-eligible Cook County residents.

At the public comment period residents thanked the mayor and public works for their response to the break, and one resident praised water supervisor Emani for assistance with an individual water issue. Robbins officials said they will continue updates via text alerts and the village website as repairs and billing transitions continue.