Palatine, ex-councilman continue legal fight

A yearslong legal dispute pitting the village of Palatine against former village Councilman Warren Kostka is still working its way through the court system. The village two years ago filed a complaint against Kostka outlining allegations of numerous property violations at his home on the 100 block of North Forest Avenue. Kostka, a frequent critic of the village. has claimed the violations are largely the result of severe flooding on his property caused by the village.

In April 2013, a Cook County judge ruled in favor of the village and allowed Kostka and his wife, Gail, 45 days to fix the violations, which include deep trenches with unstable and hazardous side slopes. But before those 45 days were up, the Kostkas countersued asking the court to order the village to condemn their property and give them "just compensation."

Since the countersuit was filed in May 2013, the judge has granted several continuances, including postponing a trial scheduled for next week.