Niles Still Seeks $9.3 Million From Glenview For Water

The Village of Niles released the following statement: 

The Village of Niles today said it would continue to pursue its lawsuit against the Village of Glenview seeking approximately $9.3 million for two years of unpaid water bills after a hearing in Cook County Circuit Court last week.

No judgments were entered in the court session.

Niles is asking Glenview to pay for two years of water service – from April 2011 – that it provided to approximately 44,000 Glenview residents through Glenview’s North Maine Utility Co.  Niles provides water to Glenview under a 30-year agreement extending to 2020.  Niles purchases the water for Glenview from the City of Chicago.

Earlier: Water wars

Niles said its contract with Glenview is clear on resolving billing disputes, but Glenview has not paid for any of Niles’ water for two years.  It said Glenview is wrongfully withholding the payments.  Under the contract Niles and Glenview, Glenview is obligated to pay all undisputed invoice amounts. 

The agreement provides that Glenview is to pay the lowest rate for water Niles charges.  In its recent court filing, Niles acknowledged and the court agreed that Niles offered approximately 75 of its approximately 30,000 residents a 19-percent rebate to cover sewer charges for a 15-month period between April 2010 and July 2011.   Niles acknowledged that the lower rate Niles charged to the 75 residents should have been the rate charged to Glenview. 

Niles said that while 19 percent of the rate over 15 months may be in dispute, 81 percent of the charges are not.  Glenview should be paying 100 percent of the water charges since July 12, 2011.

Niles indicated it wants to resolve the dispute quickly and amicably.  It said it asks Glenview to honor the terms of the water agreement, discuss what is in dispute, and pay the amount owed.

Barring a resolution of the dispute, Niles said it will continue to pursue its lawsuit.  It will also continue to honor its contract to provide water to the 44,000 Glenview customers.  In addition to residents, Glenview’s North Maine customers include fire departments, hospitals, doctors and businesses.