Burr Ridge Eyes Group Home Rules

BURR RIDGE, IL – Burr Ridge is looking at regulations for group homes in town, a few years after neighboring Hinsdale endured a controversy over the issue.

On Monday, the Burr Ridge Plan Commission is set to review proposed rules for what are officially known as "community-integrated living arrangements."

Under the proposal, up to eight people could live in group homes, which must be at least 1,000 feet from each other.

The rules would require 24-hour staffing at such homes.

The village must approve such homes if they meet village and state requirements. Under state law, such homes must be certified by a community mental health or developmental services agency. They are for those with mental illness or developmental disabilities.

According to a Burr Ridge memo, the village's lawyer confirmed the town may bar facilities for alcohol or drug abuse treatment or housing for criminal offenders under alternatives to prison.

Five years ago, Hinsdale tried to ban a sober living house after neighbors complained, but the organization and the U.S. Justice Department sued.

To settle the matter, Hinsdale was placed under a federal consent decree and paid the organization $790,000.