E. Dundee seeks help for flood-prone homes

East Dundee officials are searching for ways to help residents in flood-prone areas avoid problems like those that plagued several properties during a fierce summer storm.

In August, several homeowners in the Flats and Terrace sections of the village complained of sewage backing up into basements and crawl spaces after a freak storm swept through the village.

Village leaders met Tuesday with Kane County representatives to discuss some of the funding options, which include a community development block grant and a Kane County Riverboat Grant, said Heather Zipparro, a village development specialist.

Officials say the grant money would help fund the village's overhead sewer program and other infrastructure improvements, Village Administrator Frank Koehler said.

The Community Development Block Grant offers municipalities assistance with public infrastructure improvements like road, water and sewer utility repairs in areas of low- to moderate-income households.

In addition, the county offers income-based programs for homeowners to modernize or improve their homes, Koehler said.

"We are excited about the income-eligible programs because the money is there now," Koehler said. "Residents can go out and apply for that money."

The riverboat grant is intended for education, environment and economic development-related projects.

"We want see how we could use some money to help with the overhead sewer program in areas that might be susceptible to sewer back ups," Koehler said. "There are a few options, and we want to see what would work best for the village."