Orland Park, Illinois Suspends Fiber-Optic Permits Amid Complaints
The Village of Orland Park, located in the southwest suburbs of Chicago, has decided to suspend all construction permits for fiber-optic projects. This decision comes in response to a significant increase in complaints from residents.
Reasons for Suspension of Fiber-Optic Permits
The Orland Park Village Board has cited several specific issues leading to this suspension:
- Unrepaired property damage caused by construction
- The presence of potholes on sidewalks that remain unaddressed
- Work being conducted outside of permitted hours
- Subcontractors working without proper identification
Incident Leading to Action
During a special board meeting, the village discussed a recent incident involving Astound, an internet service provider. Last Monday, construction activities led to the power outage of approximately 300 homes.
Village Clerk Mary Ryan Norwell expressed her frustration regarding the situation. She described the challenging conditions, stating, “A little more than 7 hours — it was terrible. It was 20 degrees out. The snow was still on the ground.”
Norwell also highlighted the lack of communication from Astound, noting, “The problem is Astound didn’t notify any of us.”
Implementation of Stricter Regulations
In light of these challenges, the Village of Orland Park is taking steps to implement stricter regulations for internet service providers. These measures aim to hold companies accountable for their construction practices and ensure that residents’ concerns are addressed promptly.
