Concert to aid Carol Stream flood victims

Even though the waters have dried up from the September floods that hit the Chicago area, some Carol Stream families still are waiting to settle back into their homes.

To help them, along with some of the homes that suffered the worst damage, the village of Carol Stream is hosting a benefit concert this week featuring Beatles cover band American English. The concert is planned for 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 30, at the Arcada Theater in St. Charles.

"There's always a temptation to think that, because the water is gone, everything is OK," said Chris Oakley, Carol Stream's assistant village manager. "As a community, we're not comfortable until everyone that was affected is back to normal."

Approximately 300 homes flooded in the village, Oakley said, due to overflow from nearby retention ponds and Thunderbird Creek, which is a tributary to the DuPage River.

Some homes are constructed on slabs without basements, which means floodwaters flowed directly into their main level.

"It went right into the primary living space, and that's pretty devastating," Oakley said. "This is where people eat, sleep."

The idea for Thursday's concert was devised by American English, which performs at festivals in communities throughout the suburbs, and Ron Onesti, who owns Onesti Entertainment and organizes festivals in Carol Stream and suburbs throughout the Chicago area.

Oakley said the band members called Onesti asking how they could help. Onesti suggested a concert at the Arcada Theater, which his company operates.

"(American English) has a lot of ties to the community," Oakley said. "I think they just wanted to give something back."

Proceeds from the show will be collected by the village and distributed to residents who need the most assistance.

Tickets are available at the Carol Stream Municipal Center, 500 N. Gary Ave., or Carol Stream Public Library, 616 Hiawatha Trail.

If you go

What: American English concert to raise funds for Carol Stream flood victims

When: 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 30

Where: Arcada Theater, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles

Tickets: $20

Details: (630) 665-7050