Shaggy roadways and overgrowth have caused some grumbling around Westchester.

Village  Board trustees said they have received complaints from residents about the unsightly areas, particularly along the Cermak Avenue bridge and 22nd Street between Wolf Road and Mayfair Avenue.

“We hear the complaints of our residents,” said Trustee Bill Buikema. “Especially on the bridges coming into our town, on Roosevelt and 22nd Street — that grass gets so high, it’s ridiculous.”

The areas are owned by the state but have not been mowed in the last year. Trustees said they have asked the Illinois Department of Transportation to take care of the areas.

“Right now, we keep putting pressure on the state and they keep telling us they’re broke,” Buikema said.

But there’s not much lDOT can do, according to spokeswoman Paris Ervin. High fuel prices and last winter’s brutal snowfalls depleted the state’s budget.

The state spent more than double what was budgeted last winter, Ervin said, and has been forced to cut expenses elsewhere to ensure it has enough resources for this winter.

“We have to be prepared for winter and routine maintenance,” Ervin said.
In the meantime, Westchester trustees are discussing alternatives in case the state remains over budget.

“I hardly think that because the state says ‘tough luck,’ we should be left with 3-foot tall grass,” Ryan said.

Several trustees suggested the village should mow the areas and bill the state later.

“We need to keep it to a manageable level that doesn’t encourage habitat,” Pat Casey said. “I don’t want skunks living on the parkways.”

But that would make the village liable for any injuries or damages that occur during the maintenance, Buikema said. Other trustees said they were concerned they village could become permanently responsible for the areas.

"Hopefully,” Buikema said, “with the bad weather coming, you won’t see the blight.”