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    STAVE OF ILLHQ~
    IPCB Clerk, Dorothy (uim
    PütIu~cn
    Contrc~Eo~
    Waste Management Appeal Hearings
    James R. Thompson Center
    100 W. Randolph Street
    Suite 11-500
    Chicago, Illinois 6060 1-3220
    Dear Ms. Gunn:
    Attached please find the letter that we sent to the Kankakee County Clerk on January
    27,
    2004. The opinions and feelings that we expressed in that letter are the same today. We
    are disappointed and saddened to learnthat after the Kankakee County Board voted
    no
    to
    the proposed expansion on two separate occasions, Waste Management is continuing to
    pursue its proposal.
    As homeowners, we felt that the Kankakee County Board
    heard
    the sentiments ofthe
    people ofKankakee County and followed the feelings oftheir constituents after carefully
    weighing all the research presented against the proposed expansion.
    We urge you to thoughtfully consider our concerns regarding Waste Management’s
    attempts to re-open the issues and expand the landfill in spite ofthe negative impact an
    expansion would make on the area immediately surrounding the proposed site and the
    entire county ofKankakee.
    Sincerely,
    J” k and Joanne Hilliker
    365
    A E. 6000 S. Road
    Chebanse, Illinois 60922
    January 27, 2004
    Bruce Clark
    Kankakee County Clerk
    189 E. Court Street
    Kankakee, Illinois 6090
    Re: Landfill Docket
    Dear Mr. Clark:
    Our property is located at
    365
    A and B East 6000 S. Road in Chebanse. We are directly
    across the road from the landfill to the north.
    When my husband and his late wife purchased the property in the 70’s, they were aware
    ofthe landfill and were under the impression, like every other property owner in the area,
    that the landfill would close when filled to capacity, be capped off, and become a park or
    nature area. Looking ahead to that time, the investment would be a good one. Now,
    almost thirty years later, and with the proposal ofa huge landfill expansion, we, like the
    other property owners in the area, are concerned about our property values.
    Our home has been remodeled; we have five acres ofbeautifully maintained land,
    including a number ofperennial gardens. One ofour retirement dreams is to enjoy our
    home and the land that surrounds it and be confident that the investment made thirty years
    ago was a sound one.
    Because ofour proximity to the landfill, we have four areas of concern in addition to our
    property values. The first area ofconcern is the quality
    of our water.
    When our well
    was dug in 1976, the water was clear, odor free, and pure. As years have passed, the
    water has become discolored, and there is a distinct, unpleasant odor and taste. We have
    the water periodically tested, and so far the quality is within acceptable limits. Especially
    in light ofRon Thompson’s power point presentation, and the knowledge that there is
    contamination in two or more ofthe test wells, we will continue to get our water tested
    and hope for the best. Testimony from Waste Management indicated that the chemicals
    leaking from the wells are naturally occurring, but the thought ofdichloroethylene (a
    possible cause ofliver problems), vinyl chloride (a known carcinogen), arsenic (another
    known carcinogen), methyl ethyl ketone (not considered lethal, but damages reproductive
    systems), and boron (another risk for reproductive systems), being in our water is
    disconcerting to say the least. (The Daily Journal Thursday, May 30. 2002)
    The second concern is noise. The daily operation ofthe landfill is a noisy process. The
    truck activity, digging, and well sounds can be heard all day long.
    The third concern is debris. Although clean-up crews gather blown debris aftermajor
    windy days, and in spite offencing to prevent debris, we can find an assortment of
    garbage on our property almost on a daily basis.
    The fourth concern is
    odor.
    During summer months especially, but even in the winter,
    spring, and fall, the odors coming from the landfill are obnoxious. Nothing is more
    disconcerting than to be in our gardens, surrounded by lovely landscape and beautiful
    flower gardens, and be distracted by foul odors coming from across the road.
    These four concerns affect us and all the property owners in the vicinity ofthe present
    landfill and the proposed landfill extension. The additional concern of a major
    traffic
    problem on RT
    45/52
    will affect all travelers as well as homeowners in the area.
    We attended last week’s meeting and hope that you and the other Kankakee County
    Board Members, will take to heart the concerns ofthe homeowners who spoke up at the
    meeting in addition to those like us who are sending their concerns in writing.
    Sincerely,
    Joanne Hilliker
    365 A East 6000 S. Rd.
    Chebanse, Illinois 60922

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