University Park Reports Progress on Storm Recovery, $12.5 Million Water Settlement (University Park, IL) – The Village of University Park is continuing storm recovery operations while advancing efforts to address longstanding water infrastructure concerns, Mayor Joseph E. Roudez III and village officials announced.
Following severe storms and tornadoes that affected University Park and neighboring Southland communities, municipal crews have focused on debris removal, supporting power restoration and providing assistance to residents impacted by the storms.
Despite staffing limitations within the village’s Public Works Department, officials said recovery efforts have moved forward with help from public-private partnerships. Corporate neighbors and industrial park partners have sponsored outside cleanup crews to supplement village workers and accelerate debris removal.
University Park has also partnered with Will County agencies to activate a Multi-Agency Resource Center to provide residents with access to disaster assistance.
The MARC is located at the Village Town Center, 90 Town Center Drive in University Park. Available services include emergency food distribution, disaster loans, SNAP application assistance, emergency family supplies and pet resources.
“In times of crisis, University Park shows its true resilience,” Roudez said. “Through collaboration with county leadership, regional allies, and private partners, we are deploying every resource necessary to restore our neighborhoods.”
Alongside the storm recovery update, the village provided information about developments involving its longstanding water quality concerns.
Roudez said the village has reached a major milestone with the final approval of a $12.5 million federal class-action settlement involving Aqua Illinois. The settlement is intended to compensate current and former residents and local business owners affected by historic lead advisories.
The settlement follows federal court action addressing water contamination issues associated with previous administrative decisions made between 2017 and 2019, according to the village.
University Park officials said the settlement represents an important step toward addressing past water quality concerns, but the administration is also pursuing a much larger infrastructure investment.
The village is seeking up to $100 million in federal infrastructure funding to replace approximately 12 miles of aging water mains and establish a permanent and secure water source for the community.
“Securing $12.5 million for our residents was a necessary step toward holding responsible parties accountable and correcting past administrative failures,” Roudez said. “Our focus now remains firmly on the future: rebuilding our infrastructure, increasing local home values, and delivering transparent, accountable leadership for University Park.”
Village officials said the combination of storm recovery efforts, infrastructure investment and water system improvements is intended to strengthen University Park’s neighborhoods and long-term economic stability.
University Park is located in Will and Cook counties and provides municipal infrastructure, public safety and economic development services to residents and commercial partners.
University Park Reports Progress on Storm Recovery, $12.5 Million Water Settlement
