Development News for Flossmoor, Illinois

Pollution Concerns and Response at Isaac Walton Preserve Highlighted

The 'Clean Isaac for a Clean Isaac' campaign addresses pollution in the north pond of Isaac Walton, identified by a study from Brian Environmental Consultants. The contamination originates from the sump pump outflow of Homewood Disposal. The village of Homewood was initially unresponsive, which spurred the formation of the Greener Homewood Party to gain a seat at the table. Although their slate of trustees did not win, they doubled voter turnout. The village committed to comprehensive testing of the Prairie Lakes system. A year-long study by Fair Graham confirmed similar findings to the Brian study. While the larger portion of Prairie Lakes appears to be doing okay, several contaminants exceed allowable levels for green spaces. The study results are viewed more favorably when compared to retention pond standards, leading to questions about whether Isaac Walton is a preserve or a retention pond, as it is marketed as a preserve but treated as a retention pond in terms of contamination. Fair Graham recommended educational signage, continued monitoring of contaminants like mercury, and 'fishing awareness' due to mercury levels, noting the toxins are not toxic to humans but are to aquatic life. The North Pond is specifically noted as toxic to aquatic life, including fish, with iron levels causing reproductive harm. Despite these findings, there has been no indication of comprehensive signage being installed. Isaac Walton also ordered more carp in January 2026, which is questioned given the environmental concerns. The village and Fair Graham maintain that while the water is not toxic to humans, residents should not eat the fish, drink the water, or let pets into the water. The consultant agreed that the North Pond is toxic to aquatic life. Homewood Disposal has been periodically cleaning its separators, which has helped, but accountability and frequency are unclear. Fair Graham suggested improved filtration at Homewood Disposal could prevent buildup. A concern is that new businesses on 175th Street should filter their sump pump water, as it drains into Isaac Walton, but this was not an official recommendation. There are allegations of 'spin doctoring' the report by the village, Isaac Walton board, and Fair Graham to make it seem less alarming. The class of chemicals found, PAHs, are deadly to aquatic life, and while initially stated as non-toxic, the consultant later confirmed they are at toxic levels for aquatic life. Homewood Disposal has been recommended to pre-treat on-site by redirecting their sump pump discharge away from the water body. There has been no communication with Homewood Disposal since the February 9th meeting where the report was released, suggesting the board is not taking further action. The demand for pre-treatment of water before it reaches Isaac Walton remains unmet. Isaac Walton leases land from the village for a portion of the Prairie Lakes, operating as a public-private partnership, but residents view it as a preserve, not a detention pond. The Sand Lakes are original Isaac Walton property, while Prairie Lakes are leased.

Homewood Approves Transit-Oriented Development with Limited Resident Input; Group Focuses on Electoral Action

The transit-oriented development (TOD) plan for the area around the train station in Homewood is progressing. The village received a grant from Metra to improve accessibility and encourage patronage of the area. A long-standing plan to develop condos in the Village Hall parking lot is part of this initiative, with Village Hall being moved due to property instability for a water tower. A seven-story rental building is planned for the former Village Hall site. Three proposals were considered for the TOD: one from the Southland Development Authority included public green spaces and community input; another from Far South Community Development Corporation offered lower rent prices; and a third from Holiday, a national company based in Indiana, which lacked public green space, public parking, and used non-union workers. Residents raised concerns about parking, given the planned development. Despite community input and emails, the village proceeded with the Holiday proposal, which includes minimal public parking and a small green space. The presenter from Holiday was reportedly rude and aggressive towards residents. This decision is seen as another instance of the village not prioritizing resident preferences. The organization South Suburbs for Greenspace is also actively involved in recruitment for future political runs, aiming to elect representatives who prioritize community needs over profit-driven governance. They plan to conduct candidate surveys to inform voters. Volunteer efforts, such as door-knocking, were instrumental in electing Sandra Alexander as mayor of Hazelrest, demonstrating the impact of community organizing. The group is seeking volunteers for various roles, including canvassing, phone banking, and text banking, and is fundraising to support their outreach efforts. They have a modest annual budget of approximately $3,000 for administrative costs and outreach. Legal strategies and potential zoning battles are also being prepared for, with an attorney on retainer. The group highlights their success in stopping the industrial development of the Calumet Country Club in 2021 through community mobilization.

Community Group Fights Industrial Development of Calumet Country Club Property

The South Suburbs for Greenspace group is actively working to prevent the Calumet Country Club property from being developed into an industrial site. Initially facing a threat of industrial development in Homewood, the group's efforts led to the zoning committee and village board voting against the rezoning. The developer, Walt Brown, then moved the property to unincorporated Cook County, and subsequently petitioned to have it annexed into Hazelrest. In Hazelrest, concerns arose regarding potential collusion between the mayor and developer, including campaign donations. A consulting organization, Catalyst Consulting, presented a plan that was perceived as industrialization. The property owner's intent to sell for profit was also noted. With new council members elected in Hazelrest who opposed the industrial development, the balance shifted. The property was initially zoned residential, requiring rezoning for industrial use. The property owner explicitly stated he would not develop residential housing due to demographics, indicating a preference for industrial development. The group's advocacy influenced the mayoral election in Hazelrest, resulting in Sandra Alexander's victory, who was opposed to the industrial development. Ryan Consulting was later hired by the property owner to pursue industrial development and zoning in Hazelrest, including commissioning a market study. However, Ryan Consulting has since stopped communicating with the village, and it appears they may have withdrawn from the project. Currently, a lawsuit has been filed to de-annex the property from Hazelrest, and the village must decide whether to contest it, considering Homewood's costly and unsuccessful legal battle against a similar development. The expectation is that the property will become unincorporated Cook County again, where development is limited due to a lack of services and Cook County's general reluctance to develop unincorporated parcels. There are also discussions about potential demolition of existing structures and destruction of trees, with a single Cook County commissioner having authority over such applications, potentially without public hearings. Another possibility is the property owner seeking to re-annex into Homewood.