CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- The South Barrington Village Board is meeting Friday afternoon to discuss options after the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs backed out of a plan for a cemetery that was opposed by village officials.
Mayor Paula McCombie and others opposed the 15-acre cemetery site that the VA was considering, because, she said it’s too close to homes and regular ceremonial rifle volleys would be disruptive.
She also said potential odors from a nearby inactive landfill would not be ideal.
The VA’s plan was to create a cemetery for cremated remains with thousands of niches in walls.
Then someone bought the land.
Now, the village is discussing other options, the Daily Herald reported, including other sites in the village and elsewhere, and possibly a local veterans assistance program.
"We want to do something that has real meaning," she said.
McCombie said a veterans cemetery is still needed in the area.