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Cahokia Heights, IL – Residents of Cahokia Heights, a community long plagued by sewage spills and flooding, are voicing their frustration and desperation as conditions continue to worsen. A recent court filing highlights the ongoing crisis, revealing that despite years of promises from local government, raw sewage routinely inundates homes and streets following storms, forcing families to grapple with the consequences of failing infrastructure.
The legal response, part of the case Centreville Citizens for Change, et al. v. City of Cahokia Heights, et al., paints a grim picture of life in the area. On November 5, 2024, heavy rains transformed neighborhoods into lakes, forcing residents to wade through contaminated waters just to vote. Emergency services were called to rescue families trapped in their homes, marking yet another instance in a troubling cycle of flooding.
Chronic sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs) have become a distressing norm. In one incident on North 82nd Street, sewage flowed for over a week, contaminating homes and yards. Residents are left to contend with the sight and stench of raw sewage just steps from their doors. Attempts by the city to address these issues—such as installing pumps and grading streets—have only exacerbated the problem. Broken pumps fail during storms, and poorly placed gravel clogs drainage systems, worsening the flooding.
Yvette Lyles, a resident, described the ongoing struggle as a “never-ending nightmare,” stating, “Every time it rains, we brace ourselves for disaster. It’s not just water—it’s sewage. It’s sickness. It’s hopelessness.”
The flooding crisis poses serious health risks. Families report losing essential appliances, enduring days without functional toilets, and spending thousands on repairs, only to face more destruction with each storm. Cornelius Bennett, President of Centreville Citizens for Change, recounted a recent experience in which a backflow preventer, installed by the city, overflowed during heavy rains, flooding his yard with raw sewage. He also expressed concern after witnessing city workers spreading untreated sewage into nearby fields, creating hazardous conditions.
“We’ve been failed,” Bennett declared, echoing the sentiments of many residents who feel abandoned by their local government.
Nicole Nelson, Executive Director of Equity Legal Services, Inc., who represents the plaintiffs, condemned the city’s inaction: “The residents of Cahokia Heights are not asking for luxuries—they are fighting for their basic right to live in safety and dignity. The city’s negligence has left this community drowning in sewage, and the response has been nothing but excuses. Enough is enough.”
Despite years of assurances, the city and state agencies have yet to implement a comprehensive consent decree to address the intertwined issues of flooding and sewage overflows. The current draft lacks adequate stormwater solutions and fails to provide a timeline for compliance with the Clean Water Act, ignoring the pleas of residents who have endured these conditions for far too long.
The community is calling for urgent measures, including:
- Emergency Mitigation: Immediate actions to halt sewage spills and safeguard public health.
- Community Involvement: Engaging residents in the decision-making process for long-term solutions regarding stormwater and sewage management.
- Infrastructure Funding: Securing state and federal funds to repair the deteriorating system before more lives are disrupted.
This situation is not merely a local concern; it has escalated into a humanitarian emergency. Residents are urging Governor J.B. Pritzker and state leaders to prioritize this crisis and provide immediate relief to Cahokia Heights.
Attorney Kalila J. Jackson emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, “Every delay compounds the suffering. Every storm brings new trauma. The people of Cahokia Heights deserve better—they deserve action.”
As the community grapples with the fallout from years of neglect, the call for accountability and swift intervention has never been more critical.
Dr. Mila Marshall is an environmental professional and journalist with a passion for advancing sustainability in all sectors. Her passion is directed towards urban food systems in segregated cities.