Flossmoor Faces Delays on Flood Control Project Due to Federal Hold

The federal government is holding $384,000 from Flossmoor for a crucial infrastructure development aimed at mitigating flooding. The funding has been on hold since November, Mayor Michelle Nelson reported. Flossmoor was awarded a grant by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for the fourth of five phases in a long-term project tackling flooding at the downtown Flossmoor Road viaduct.

Designs and bid documents are ready, according to Nelson. The project was set for bidding when, in early November, the Army Corps of Engineers Civil Works Department notified the village about the administrative hold.

The infrastructure upgrades aim to channel stormwater to a detention basin at Heather Hill Elementary School. However, requests for additional information have gone unanswered. Nelson mentioned reaching out to Illinois’ U.S. senators and U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly but without success in obtaining more details on the hold.

We are in limbo. We haven’t been told no. They have been holding on to $384,000 of our money for nine, almost nine months now, which is a significant amount of money for a small municipality.

During the Fourth of July weekend, massive storms flooded Flossmoor’s downtown and caused widespread damage, filling the Thornton Composite Reservoir near capacity. Businesses in the area suffered damage, and cars became stranded in the flooded viaduct. One occupant required rescue as water nearly reached the ceiling of the vehicle.

The comprehensive project, which began in 2020, includes constructing the Heather Hill detention basin and storm sewer system upgrades. The most recent phase with a storm sewer installation on Lawrence Crescent concluded in October 2025, around the same time the hold on funding was announced.

Flooding disruptions have plagued downtown Flossmoor for decades, said Nelson. The viaduct frequently shuts down due to severe floods, hindering emergency response times. With ongoing federal silence, Flossmoor is considering state funding alternatives, possibly commencing work in 2027. But relying on state funding could impact other planned flood mitigation projects.

This redirection of resources might hinder future projects the community expects, according to Nelson. She expressed disappointment, urging for federal accountability.

Help us, please. Follow through on your commitments, the commitments that were made and voted on and approved.

Inquiries to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers remain unanswered.