The village of Tinley Park is accusing Commonwealth Edison ofbacking out of a deal to bury its power cables in the south suburband threatening to sue the utility over the issue.
Under its 1989 franchise agreement with Tinley Park, ComEd wassupposed to bury 500 feet of above-ground power lines a year, or atotal of 2,500 feet over five years.
But Tinley Park Mayor Edward J. Zabrocki said Monday that inrecent meetings with representatives of the utility to discuss theissue, "it became apparent ComEd could not cooperate in such aneffort."
So far, no power lines have been buried.
The village wants them buried as part of a plan to improve thelook of its business district.
"We feel this is a vitally important issue in improving aestheticsin our village, and we will seek whatever legal action is availableto pursue our right within the franchise," Zabrocki said.
He said ComEd cited a 1991 "rider" approved by the IllinoisCommerce Commission that says rate-payers shouldn't foot the bill forburying cable. ComEd representatives couldn't be reached late Monday.
Zabrocki said there are at least three other cases in which ComEdsigned agreements to bury cables after the rider took effect.
If necessary, he said, "ComEd should take the costs from theirprofits. They signed this agreement in good faith."
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