On March 8, Cook County Attorney Molly Hicken told the Board of Commissioners that her office was going to start pursuing action against people who failed to repair or replace their failing septic systems.
Hicken said there are about 90 septic systems that were known to be out of compliance in the county, and the county would start with the oldest 50 cases in its pursuit of septic compliance enforcement.
Over time the county has been notifying people whose septic systems needed repair, said Hicken, and in most cases her office doesn’t even receive a call of acknowledgement that there is a problem that needs to be resolved.
“These people have had two years to do something, and most are well beyond that deadline. We’ve done everything we can,” Hicken said.
Because her office will need more help, Hicken said she was increasing Leah Eckstrom’s hours from 35 to 40 to help with the added work.
The first letters will go out in late March or early April. “The goal isn’t punishment,” said Hicken, “It’s compliance.”
Once contacted, a person must set a deadline and meet that deadline to have their systems repaired to meet county specifications.
Commissioner Frank Moe asked if the county’s septic loan program would be available for people who so far had failed to comply, and Hicken said it would be something they could use if needed.
Should cases go to court, the county may pursue having the litigant pay court costs. However, said Hicken, no decision has been made on that point yet.
The goal of the program, said Hicken, is to have the systems fixed within the next two years.
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