Dolton trustees say limited funds mean partial street work this year; animal-control hire planned

Residents at Dolton’s community meeting raised persistent complaints about potholes, unlit streets, flooding and overgrown vacant lots along the Bishop Ford corridor, pressing trustees for a public timetable of repairs.

Village officials said they will publish a prioritized list of street projects and that Lincoln Avenue is slated for full repaving this year. Due to limited grant funding, officials said this year will likely include partial-street repairs while roughly 14 entire streets are in line for repaving next year. Officials encouraged residents to bring specific alley concerns to public-works staff for evaluation but cautioned that alley work will be considered case‑by‑case.

On drainage and sewage, residents reported recurring street flooding that can make parking impossible after heavy rain. Officials acknowledged the problem, described interim flood‑mitigation measures and said the village is pursuing additional funding for a broader sewer overhaul.

Separately, several residents reported frequent coyote sightings and concerns about loose and nuisance animals. Officials said the village has been coordinating with Cook County for assistance and is moving to hire an animal‑control specialist; a vehicle donation was obtained and the village expects to have an animal‑control hire on board within roughly 30 days to provide humane, local response.

Public‑works staff also said grass cutting and vacant‑lot maintenance along State property near the Bishop Ford Expressway will receive added attention as staffing increases arrive in the coming month.

Officials asked residents to call 311 for nonemergent requests such as burned‑out street lights, and to report safety or criminal activity to 911 so police can log incidents that affect enforcement and resource planning.

The village said it will share a public list of planned street and alley work so residents can track priorities and timelines.