Flood Damage Leads Circero Officials to Consider Lawsuit

Cicero, Ill. - Officials in west suburban Cicero are considering filing a lawsuit against the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, calling the district’s response to recent flooding after intense weekend storms “cowardly.”

Cicero is one of 18 suburban communities seeking FEMA assistance, according to a release from town spokesman Ray Hanania. More than 5,000 properties and 100 business in the town reported flood damage after torrential downpours Friday and Saturday.

"One of the responsibilities of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago is to manage stormwater,” Cicero Town President Dominick said in the release. “They did a very poor job. To make it worse, and so cowardly, the Water Reclamation District spent all its time responding to the cries of help from community residents not by offering them help and support but by telling them it's not their fault and they have nothing to do with it. They instead pointed fingers of blame at the 18 suburban communities and municipalities who share in this disaster."

A spokesperson for the water reclamation district could not immediately be reached Tuesday afternoon for comment.

Damage in the west suburb is estimated to be $43 million, according to the release. Three town officials were among those whose properties were severely damaged by flooding, and several families with small children lost their homes, the release said. Town board members Tuesday approved a resolution officially declaring the town of disaster area.

“The Water Reclamation District owes all of the people of Cook County an explanation as to what happened, instead of shirking their responsibilities," Dominick said in the release.

State Sen. Martin Sandoval, a former member of the Reclamation District board, also condemned the district’s response to residents after the storm, the release said.

"Their job is to manage stormwater run-off,” Sandoval said at a Tuesday Town of Cicero board meeting, according to the release. “They brag about how they prevent flooding on their web site and in their mission statement. I support the Town of Cicero's decision to pursue legal action against the Metropolitical Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago. The public needs answers.”

The town is also organizing a clothing and food drive for residents who lost possessions in the flood, the release said.