Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Lake County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
11 issues in water utilities with high priority
2026 Turkey Creek Maintenance Phase 1
The surveyor reported tree removal work underway along Turkey Creek and Lateral 7 after tornado damage, with coordination through the mayor's office on volunteer help.
NIPSCO staffing, reliability and storm response
Councilman Brewer and a public commenter flagged concerns about NIPSCO delivery fees, smart meter accuracy and rising electric rates, pointing to a state investigation into estimated billing from unread meters.
Post-storm emergency drainage cleanup funding
After the August 11 storm, the county has been paying contractors to pull fallen trees and debris out of Turkey Creek, Turkey Creek Laterals 6 and 7, and Schoon Ditch. The committee recommended paying over $76,000 in invoices, plus $200 for beaver removal — the Drainage Board gives final approval.
Calumet Township sewage operations funding
$170,500 to cover professional services and utilities for the township sewage operation and maintenance fund.
Illinois water and county highway culverts aggravating flooding
Several residents testified that Lake County highway culverts and raised roads channel hundreds of acres of Illinois water onto Indiana farmland with no outlet, and that uncleaned ditches worsen backups. The board asked for a report on the effect of Illinois water and the county's legal standing to address it.
June storm flooding in Schererville Heights and unincorporated St. John Township
St. John Township trustee Kathy LaRue is getting multiple flooding complaint emails from the Schererville Heights area — not regulated-drain issues, but she's forwarding them to the surveyor's office and County Highway for attention.
Lake County sewer conversion delays and bills in Woods Park
A Calumet Township resident says her yard has been torn up since June of last year, her new sewer bill is $85 a month — far above neighboring communities — and no one will give a completion timeline.
Collapsed storm pipe and flooding at 11023 West 80th Court, St. John
A decades-old metal pipe under a homeowner's property collapsed, flooding the road and threatening the home. The county has no easement to fix it, so the Drainage Board declared it a mutual drain — sticking the homeowner with 92% of a $100,000 fix. The homeowner says county road work upstream made the flooding worse and a neighbor may be pumping septic into the swale.
Groundwater depletion and well failures
Residents testified their wells have gone dry — one man described losing water in 2023 and lowering his pump himself — and questioned the aquifer impacts of a massive data center and quarry pumping.
Stonebridge HOA reimbursement for Schererville Ditch work
The committee signed off on over $300,000 in invoices for streambank and ditch maintenance work in Munster and Schererville, with the Hart Ditch final bill covered by the Little Calumet River Basin Commission rather than local drainage funds.
Mutual drain petition at 11233 W 80th Court, St. John
The board was scheduled to hold an advertised hearing on a mutual drain petition but instead continued it to June 17 after all parties and their attorneys agreed, hoping for a settlement. The dispute is also in litigation, and any board order could end settlement talks.