La Grange accepts $325,000 Cook County ARPA grant to expand sewer backup prevention program

The Village of La Grange Board of Trustees voted unanimously to approve a subrecipient agreement with Cook County that will provide $325,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funds to expand the village's Sewer Backup Prevention Grant Program.

President Kukler explained that $50,000 of the funds can be used in the current fiscal year and the remaining $275,000 in the next fiscal year. Manager Knight and staff told trustees the grant will be used as reimbursement money for eligible single‑ and two‑family homeowners seeking plumbing improvements to prevent sanitary sewer backups. The program reimburses 50% of eligible costs, capped at $3,000 for backflow devices and $5,000 for overhead sewers; permit fees are waived for work done under the program.

Staff said the village previously budgeted $50,000 annually for the program and that the county identified La Grange's existing program as eligible for ARPA support following a Cook County review done in collaboration with the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District. Manager Knight clarified that the funding acts as a fiscal cap and that reimbursements will be available up to those amounts over the stated fiscal years; the village currently has about $9,000 left in this year's local budget for the program.

Trustee Peterson asked whether the $275,000 must be spent in 2024 or remain available until expended; staff answered the amounts represent program caps for each fiscal period and funds would be available as described rather than expiring within a single calendar year. After discussion, the board approved the resolution by roll call (ayes; Trustees McGee and Augustine absent).