Shady Contractors A Worry As Storm Cleanup Continues
GURNEE, Ill. (CBS) -- As if the storm a week ago hadn't been bad enough in itself, hard-hit Lake County is now bracing for the damage that unscrupulous contractors could do when they charge an arm and a leg to clear away the debris.
As WBBM Newsradio 780's Steve Miller reports, almost the entire 14-square mile area of Gurnee was touched by storm damage one week ago.
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Now, Gurnee Mayor Kristina Kovarik has a new concern.
"That less-than-reputable contractors are going to descend on our village like vultures," she said.
Mayor Kovarik says she heard about one woman over the weekend who was approached by a contractor who said he would remove a tree for $1,300.
The woman called the village and asked if $1,300 sounded like a reasonable price. Kovarik says the village public works department told her no, and when the woman went back to the contractor, his next bid was $350.
"Anyone who solicits door-to-door, ask to see their village permit," Kovarik said, "and make sure they're licensed by the state of Illinois."
It's still no guarantee, Kovarik says, but those licenses help.
