Sidewalks At No Cost To Elmhurst Residents?

ELMHURST, IL — Two Elmhurst aldermen want the city to consider the option of doing away with residents' contributions for new sidewalks.

As it is, the city covers all the costs of sidewalks, but then creates a special taxing district so that residents reimburse half the costs over time. The costs for residents are based on the assessed values of their lots.

In a memo, Aldermen Dannee Polomsky and Chris Jensen, who represent the city's northeast Ward 3, said they wanted the city to look into changing that policy. They said the city may be better positioned to get more money for new sidewalks if the policy was revised.

"Following a series of steps to assess interest and document commitment to financial contributions, many proposed sidewalks lose neighborhood support, likely due to financial burden," the aldermen said.

In an email to Patch on Friday, Jensen said Ward 3 has the majority of areas in Elmhurst without sidewalks. Nearly all the area north of Interstate 290 is without sidewalks, as are Ward 3 areas east of Berens Park.

"In both areas, people have to walk/bike on busy streets to get to their closest parks and local businesses," Jensen said in the email. "In the area north of 290, children have to walk/bike to elementary or middle school along busy roads, in many cases crossing uncontrolled intersections."

He said the policy change would not be calling for the city to pay the full cost of the sidewalks.

"This policy change is to formalize a way for residents to express support for sidewalks on their blocks, which would strengthen the city’s applications for grant funding and allow sidewalk installation at no cost to residents," Jensen said.

On Monday, the City Council is expected to vote on a resolution referring the issue to the council's Public Works and Building Committee.