CHICAGO (WLS) — The City of Chicago's Department of Finance comptroller is speaking publicly for the first time about disputed water bills that some residents say are erroneous and, in some cases, total tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars.
The I-Team has been investigating the issue since April, highlighting cases that include bills ranging from $10,000 to $275,000. Some residents contend the charges are inaccurate, while others say the properties in question are vacant, have leaks, have no water service, or show usage levels they believe are impossible.
"We continue to work on how to deal with these spikes where there is no determination where it came from," said Michael Belsky, comptroller for the City of Chicago's Department of Finance.
Among the cases examined by the I-Team was a dispute involving a $10,000 increase on a water bill at an Uptown property. According to the report, bills returned to normal after a new meter was installed, but the city maintains the resident still owes the money.
Belsky declined to discuss individual accounts but acknowledged the concerns raised by residents.
Asked about bills reaching $60,000, $250,000, and $275,000, as well as cases involving homes without water service, Belsky said, "Yeah, and I said, I don't want to speak about individual accounts. I hear you. I feel their pain… We aren't going to talk about individual accounts, but we are working on ways to remedy these situations."
One of the cases involves a vacant home owned by Back of the Yards resident Diane Carli. According to the report, the bill on the property, including penalties and fines, has grown to $246,000.
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During an interview at the property, Carli said there has been no water service for decades.
"So, there's been no water for 50 years?" ABC7 I-Team Consumer Investigator Jason Knowles asked.
"No!" Carli responded.
Carli has received support from 15th Ward Ald. Raymond Lopez, who has been working with her on the dispute.
"A quarter of a million-dollar bill on a house with no piper, no people, and yet the city still says they used a half a million gallons of water a month," Lopez said.
Lopez said a newly installed water meter showed no usage. He also said the City Council passed a substitute order intended to eliminate the bill.
"And they still won't honor that, saying it is a faulty piece of legislation, which is incorrect. They helped us write it," Lopez said.
The City's Department of Law told the I-Team it provided a legal analysis while the legislative process was underway and that, "Despite the Department's objections, City Council passed the measure."
Knowles also asked Belsky about Carli's case, and more than a dozen other large-bill disputes brought to the I-Team's attention.
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In response to concerns about properties that are vacant, have no water service or show allegedly impossible levels of water usage, Belsky said, "I can just tell you all of those are being discussed… As I said, it is a work in progress."
Lopez said residents continue to seek answers from city departments.
"Sadly, until enough pressure is put on them by reporters like yourself, we may not see any action from these departments," Lopez said.
According to Lopez, the homeowner in his ward with the $246,000 bill was offered a $25,000 reduction, which the homeowner rejected.
The I-Team said it has repeatedly contacted the Department of Water Management regarding the disputed bills but has not received a response.