Large Sign Taken From Palatine Home

Palatine resident Warren Kostka said that someone Friday night stole the large sign he had placed on the side of his home that referenced flooding issues in Palatine.

The sign stated: "WANT WATER? Buy A Home In Palatine." The with the village over flooding that has occurred on his property dating back to the 1980s. Palatine was federally mandated to separate its storm water sewer system from its sanitary sewer system and Kostka maintains that change created water issues that has left his home worthless.

Kostka said around 11 p.m. Friday someone threw a floodlight he had outside against a window of his home. The light broke a pane of glass, but did not go completely through the window. The sign, which Kostka said cost $700, also was taken in the incident.

"Obviously, people get frustrated," Kostka said.

Palatine police confirmed that they had taken a theft report at Kostka's home, 108 N. Forest Avenue.

The issues between the village and Kostka came to a head last week at Tuesday's Village Council meeting. The council voted against authorizing village staff to negotiate the purchase of Kostka's home.

The exterior of Kostka's home has been deterioriating and several neighbors complained about the upkeep at the Tuesday meeting. The Village Council said Kostka would be warned about and cited for any code violations.

Kostka said the theft and act of vandalism did not surprise him. He said when issues such as this remain unresolved "you start to have a little anarchy."

Palatine District 6 Village Council member Brad Helms said Palatine has taken steps to address flooding in the area and has tried to work with Kostka.

Specifically, Helms referenced the Faigrounds Park . A new sanitary sewer will be installed on E. Lincoln Street from N. Forrest Avenue to just west of , 220 N. Northwest Highway. Plans for the project were approved in Decemeber.

Helms said the village also was willing to work with Kostka to address issues that were specific to his property. As for the theft of the sign, Helms said that he knew people were reaching their breaking point over issues with Kostka's property.

"It's unfortunate that people have to take this into their own hands," Helms said.