Arlington Hts. shouldn't fight unwinnable case

As an Arlington Heights resident and prudent citizen, it concerns me that our village board is planning on being a defendant, incurring totally unnecessary legal and court expenses in their stated opposition to the Boeger Place apartments.

Why would any village enter into a known unsuccessful lawsuit? The Americans with Disabilities Act was tested in Milwaukee, with the case lasting three years Milwaukee lost.

Any municipality which accepts HUD funds must establish a five-year plan, including housing for the disabled, which Arlington Heights does have and does receive HUD funds.

After the committee met with and received approval from the required village departments, the board listened to their own staff's approval of personal visits to various supportive housing units for the mentally ill.

Yet, in May, the board voted 4-3 against approval of establishing a home for 30-35 Northwest suburban family members in need of this type of supportive housing. The board turned down the request due to their lack of housing knowledge, per the dissenting board members. We have corrected this educational void by giving multiple educational advertised presentations.

Boeger Place would be located three blocks from Buffalo Grove High School, not across the street. With the proper education by the school, it is not expected that any students would bully nor harm the residents.

Conversely, the community has no cause to fear the residents.

Major opposition has come from nonresidents of Arlington Heights.

The monetary merits of this building project would be in greater real estate and sales taxes, with the residents purchasing locally, as well as requiring the employment of 90 building tradespeople.

There is something about following the laws of this land that is being asked of and challenged by the village board. I do not think that Arlington Heights residents want money spent on an unwinnable case.

Gertrude L. Rodig

Arlington Heights