Dixmoor is ‘moving forward’ on infrastructure after water main breaks, village president says

Dixmoor leadership is coordinating with county and state officials to combat longstanding infrastructure problems that have fueled persistent water main breaks.

The village has experienced repeated water main breaks for several years, largely tied to aging infrastructure, including several earlier this year. Multiple breaks within weeks, including incidents that shut down schools, affected large portions of the village and left dozens of homes without water.

“The update on the water main? Number one, I thank God, because without God, it wouldn’t be happening, but we’re moving forward in a good way,” village president Fitzgerald Roberts told the HWH.

Recent upgrades include new system components that Roberts claims had not previously existed in the village. “We have a water tower that Dixmoor never had in Dixmoor history,” Roberts said. “Also, we have new water mains that has been done here in Dixmoor.” 

Village construction is being completed in phases, starting with major streets before expanding into residential areas, officials revealed during the board’s regular meeting on April 9. “We pretty much getting all the arteries tied in now and then we’ll start with doing the veins,” according to a village official. “All the main streets is getting done first, then we’ll start doing blocks.” 

Additional work related to water infrastructure includes inspections across the village.

The board also approved funding to assist local students with graduation costs. The board will pay the $60 graduation fee for children in Dixmoor’s Rosa L. Parks Middle School on 147th St. Officials estimated the total cost would range up to $2,000.

A summer youth jobs program for residents ages 16 to 24 was highlighted as part of ongoing efforts to provide structured opportunities for young people. Officials said the program is intended to offer basic work experience while keeping participants engaged during the summer months.

“Well, it’s pretty much like summer youth jobs, from cutting grass to cleaning up, picking up paper and so forth,” Roberts said. “It’s nothing strenuous or hard, and it’s basically something to keep our youth out the street.” 

It’s for youth aged 16 to 24.