News Flash

At the February 10, 2026, Village Board Work Session Meeting, the Village Board reviewed the next phase of the rate plan that was originally presented and discussed in November 2024 to fund State-mandated lead service line replacements under the State of Illinois’ Lead Service Line Replacement and Notification Act. No action was taken at the February 10 meeting. The item is scheduled to appear again on the February 24, 2026, Village Board Meeting agenda.

The rate plan was developed to generate sufficient revenue to fund approximately $23.5 million in required lead service line replacements over the 17-year timeline established by State law. The plan is structured in three phases of incremental fee increases. The first phase took effect on May 1, 2025, and is currently reflected on residents’ water bills. At the February 10 meeting, the Village Engineer recommended implementing the second phase of the rate plan, effective May 1, 2026.

To qualify for consideration of a zero-interest loan through the State of Illinois, which could help finance the project and potentially reduce overall costs and corresponding fees to residents, the Village must demonstrate that it has a rate structure sufficient to repay the loan. For municipalities with lead service lines, the State’s Lead Service Line Replacement and Notification Act represents the largest unfunded mandate to date.

Separately, the Village’s regular water and sewer rates increased effective January 1, 2026. These rates support the continued operation and maintenance of the Village’s water and sewer systems and reflect a 4% increase in the rate charged by the City of Chicago for Lake Michigan water earlier this year.

The Village remains committed to providing accurate information and ensuring residents understand both the requirements of the State-mandated Lead Service Line Replacement Program and the funding mechanisms to complete this important public health initiative.

Voters planning to vote by mail in the March 17, 2026 General Primarly Election should be aware of a recent USPS postmark policy change. Because postmarks now reflect when mail is processed - not when it is dropped off - ballots mailed close to Election Day could be postmarked late and rejected. 

In Illinois, vote by mail ballots must be postmarked by Election Day and received within 14 days. Because of this change, ballots mailed several days before Election Day could still receive a late postmark and be rejected. Cook County Clerk Monica Gordon is encouraging suburban voters to return mail ballots early, request a postmark at a post office, or use an official ballot drop box beginning March 2: www.cookcountyclerk.com/MBdropbox.

The Village of La Grange Park is seeking qualified candidates for the full-time position of Building Services Coordinator in the Building Department. Visit the Village's employment webpage for more information and please share this posting with anyone you know who may be qualified. Candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible for consideration for this position. The first review of applications will occur on February 20, 2026.