Midlothian OKs bond issue for water system
BY NIKKI ARSENEAU Correspondent July 5, 2012 10:38PM
Updated: August 7, 2012 6:06AM
A plan by seven Southland towns to avoid rising Chicago water rates by getting Lake Michigan water through Whiting, Ind., is moving forward.
The Midlothian Village Board last week unanimously approved issuing up to $338,000 in bonds to help with the initial costs of building a water system that would pump water from Whiting.
Midlothian, Harvey, Robbins, Markham, Blue Island, Calumet Park and Alsip have formed the South Suburban Joint Action Water Agency, which plans to issue $5.6 million in bonds to begin the project.
Midlothian Mayor Terry Stephens told village trustees last month that feasibility studies and engineering work are needed.
Each of the seven charter members of the water agency will pay a certain percentage toward the costs.
Harvey’s share is 38 percent, followed by Alsip (30 percent), Blue Island (11 percent), Robbins (7 percent), Midlothian (6 percent), Markham (5 percent) and Calumet Park (4 percent).
Midlothian’s percentage accounts for the $338,000 figure.
“What we are doing here is for the future of Midlothian,” Stephens said. “It’s a huge first step.”
Stephens said a larger bond issue will be needed later to pay for construction.
Until then, residents can expect their water bills to reflect any increases passed on from the city of Chicago, which is raising its rates 25 percent this year and 15 percent in each of the next three years.
