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Parents, leaders in Chicago southwest suburbs say they're against potential mining expansion

Parents, leaders in southwest suburbs against plans for mining expansion
Parents, leaders in southwest suburbs against plans for mining expansion 01:49

WILL COUNTY, Ill. (CBS)—A debate has been brewing in the southwest suburbs about expanding mining operations near a school.

Many parents and local leaders in Bolingbrook and Plainfield have spoken out against the plan—some even signing an online petition asking the Will County Board to reject it.

There's an open debate about what should happen with the open space across from a school—should it stay as is, or should Will County allow it to be mined for limestone?

A group of parents from Bolingbrook and Plainfield, along with the mayors of both communities, shared their concerns about the property across the street from Liberty Elementary School.

It's a 90-acre parcel of land, technically in unincorporated Will County but bordered by Bolingbrook and Plainfield. The owner of the property has a quarry nearby and wants to expand operations at AZ Hard Rock Quarry to mine for limestone.

The plan would include the construction of an 18-foot berm and underground blasting operations twice a week.

"Heavy mining just doesn't make any sense. It'll be a great pollutant, a great disturbance to all of the neighbors, the schools and we're opposing, strongly opposing any expansion of the existing quarry," Plainfield Mayor John Argoudelis said. "The old quarry has been grandfathered in legally, so they can continue to do what they do there. They do not have a legal right to expand the use, and that's what we're fighting."

Debate over expanded mining operations in Will County 02:28

Argoudelis, Bolingbrook Mayor Mary Alexander-Basta, other local leaders, and parents at nearby schools want Will County Board members to vote down the plan because it's too close to schools and neighborhoods.

"We need quarrying, we need the stone, we need everything, but not next to residential and certainly not next to educational facilities," Alexander-Basta said. 

Claire Hotaki also opposes the plan.

"I couldn't imagine trying to teach school, certainly elementary-aged kids, when there's dynamite blasts happening or the ground is shaking," she said.

The Will County Board met on Thursday and pushed back a final vote on the plan until March 20.

Moms like Hotaki and Briana Hicks want Will County Board members to reject the plan – and even signed a change.org petition that has collected more than 1,500 signatures.

"It's just unimaginable that we have to fight against a quarry being right across the street from our elementary school," Hicks said. "We're all standing together because we do not believe in this."

CBS News Chicago contacted the attorney's office representing the quarry owner but has yet to hear back.

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