An informal task force headed by Senate Minority Leader James ”Pate”
Philip (R-Wood Dale) voted 6-0 Thursday to urge the legislature to pass Philip`s bill in its fall session that would give ”quick take” power to Du Page and Lake County municipalities for flood control efforts.
The bill, which passed the Senate this year but stalled in the House, was introduced to help Bensenville solve a flooding problem that Village President John C. Geils said his town had been grappling with for six years.
Quick take allows government officials to take possession of property if they reach a stalemate with the owner on its value. The sale price later would be determined by a jury.
Geils, co-chairman of the task force, said that although Bensenville has the necessary state and county funds on hand for a flood control project, it has been able to acquire only 29 of the 37 parcels of land it needs for the effort during six years of negotiations.
Many residents remain at flood risk, he said.
A representative of the state Division of Water Resources said her agency supports the stalled bill, although some opponents of the measure have argued against giving local governments the power to take possession of land and leave owners without compensation for two years or more.
The Philip task force, which includes members from the County Board, legislature, municipal government and public, also voted unanimously to seek adoption of conservation easements or development rights in Du Page.
As outlined by member John R. Sheaffer of Wheaton, a hydrologist, such easements would give tax breaks to owners of land that is made available for public benefit and kept from development so as not to add to flooding and other environmental problems.
Sheaffer said he would donate a half-acre plot he owns adjacent to Lincoln Marsh in Wheaton ”as soon as the tax authorities recognize” the advantage of granting tax breaks in return for donated land.
