Politics & Government
Federal Confusion Puts Burr Ridge Cash In Question
The village is proceeding with a drainage project, no matter what happens to the federal money, an official said.
BURR RIDGE, IL – Burr Ridge this week endured a common situation among towns – uncertainty over the status of a federal grant.
Earlier this week, President Donald Trump issued an executive order calling for a federal funding freeze, sparking confusion about what it affected. He rescinded the order Wednesday.
At issue in Burr Ridge is a $785,000 grant that the village expects for the Elm Street culvert project, which promises to solve flooding in that area.
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After Trump issued his original order, a resident emailed Village Administrator Evan Walter about the status of the federal money.
In a reply late Tuesday afternoon, Walter said the village assumed the money had been temporarily suspended.
Find out what's happening in Burr Ridgefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
"(G)iven that the answer to almost every question from every sector on every type of project regarding funding availability at this time is 'we don't know,' we will be working with our federal representatives to obtain better information on this matter," he said.
In a statement to Patch on Thursday, Walter said the village was proceeding normally with the project.
"The Village is fully committed to this project, has no plan or consideration to alter its timing or scope, and would determine an alternative funding method if grant monies became unavailable, thanks to our enviable financial position," Walter said.
He said the village appreciated the bipartisan money approved for the project with the help of U.S. Rep. Sean Casten's office. DuPage County contributed $50,000.
Walter said he looked forward to the Village Board hosting an event later this year to mark the project's completion.
The flooding near Elm Elementary is the result of floodwater going to the deteriorating Elm Street culvert from several towns, according to the village.
A few times a year, Elm Street floods, sometimes requiring street closures.
The project is expected to cost $1 million.
In October, the village explained to the public why the project, which was supposed to be done last summer, was delayed.
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