Lena Board discusses code changes and short-term utility relief after tornado

At the May 11 regular meeting, a village property owner, Ashley Heilman, urged the Village of Lena to adopt an emergency process allowing insurance-approved repairs that currently are nonconforming under setback rules to be rebuilt more quickly after the recent tornado. Heilman, who does not live within the village limits but owns property there, said the Village ordinance requires structures damaged more than 60% of assessed value to be rebuilt to current code and obtain ZBA variances that can take at least 60 days. She cited Rockford and Chicago ordinances as alternative models and proposed that the village consider case-by-case reviews, require inspections paid by property owners (SafeBuilt contracted), and convene special meetings when warranted.

Board members discussed parallel short-term relief for utility customers displaced by storm damage. Brandon Smith told the board residents remain billed for minimum capital and storm-drain fees (an average of $41.50) even when water service is turned off and homes are uninhabitable; members discussed instituting a 90-day freeze on portions of the utility bill by administrative policy while homeowners rebuild. President Steve Buss updated the board on recovery efforts: an IEMA/SBA assessment received 166 resident responses and recorded 11 destroyed homes; the data will be presented to the Governor pending a disaster determination and SBA loan assistance may be available. Buss also said the NWIL Foundation is compiling damage numbers and NWIL Realtors contributed $25,000 together with the State of Illinois. No ordinance change or fee-freeze policy was adopted at the meeting; staff and legal counsel were directed to return with follow-up information.