Joe Bellavia says Roselle, Illinois neighbors failed to get approval for regrading yard, which is causing flooding on his property

ROSELLE, Ill. (WLS) — One Roselle resident says he sees this water in his backyard on a regular basis.

According to a lawsuit, the man alleges that his neighbors did not obtain the necessary approval from the village before reshaping their backyard, a decision that some engineers believe might be contributing to the issue at hand.

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

Joe Bellavia has lived in his home in northwest suburban Roselle since 1978. He says did not have a flooding issue during his first 40 years there.

The homeowner started noticing yard flooding in the autumn of 2019, prompting him to seek answers from the village regarding the cause of the problem. Bellavia recounted, “In the fall of 2019, I started experiencing flooding in the yard, and I couldn’t figure out why there was flooding. So, I, of course, asked the village a little bit if they can give me some information.”

Bellavia said he eventually had to seek help from engineers.

After consulting with four different engineers, including one employed by the village, it was determined that the neighbor’s elevated yard level was identified as the root cause of the flooding issues experienced by the individual.

“It’s just your neighbors raised lawn that is trapping the water on your side,” he said, reading from one report.

Those engineers say the land was raised after his neighbor regraded their property. Bellavia said that happened after they removed a pool.

“As you see, there is a berm that’s about 5 inches higher than the bottom of the fence line, and that shouldn’t be there,” Bellavia said.

Bellavia said that “berm” is pushing waterflow into his yard.

“It’s ruined our lawn, and every time it rains, it just is flooded. So, you know if we have people over parties, we can’t use the backyard. And the flood is so excessive that we even have ducks floating out there. They found a little pond!” Bellavia said.

In a lawsuit Bellavia filed in 2023, he is asking the neighbors to correct the problem. The lawsuit alleges that permits were never obtained before neighbors regraded their yard, and that the regrading “changed the previously existing topography thereby altering the flow of water across the property.”

In an initial response to the lawsuit, the neighbors admitted to removing the pool in the spring of 2017, and when asked if they applied for any permits from the village, the defendants answered “none.”

In the defendant’s second answer to the amended complaint, they denied allegations. They also admitted that there is a municipal ordinance regarding excavation or grading “but deny any breach thereof.”

Bellavia said he looked into putting in his own drain system, but it may not be a permanent solution, and he says it is too expensive.

“To put a drain system in that would handle that water was $45,000,” Bellavia said.

And that would be a lot of money to fix someone else’s problem.

“Well, that’s what all the engineers are telling me, that it was someone else’s problem,” Bellavia said.

ABC7 reached out to the neighbors and their attorney, but they did not immediately respond to the I-Team’s requests for comment.

“When something like that is on your mind every day, it affects your life. You know, you’re wondering what’s going to happen next. Is the village ever going to do anything?” Bellavia said.

ABC7 asked the village if they had anything to say about the allegation that permits were not taken out before that regrading or if they wanted to comment overall. A spokesperson told the I-Team, “the village of Roselle doesn’t comment on active litigation.” However, it is not the village being sued.

Copyright © 2025 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.

You May Also Like
Jack Schlossberg launches unhinged attack on Joe Rogan just hours after Trump announced release of JFK files

Jack Schlossberg criticizes Joe Rogan shortly after Trump’s announcement to release JFK files

Jack Schlossberg has criticized Joe Rogan soon after Donald Trump announced the release of…
EXCLUSIVE: Anna Paulina Luna Pressures Bondi And Patel To Release Epstein Documents

Anna Paulina Luna demands Bondi and Patel to make Epstein documents public

Last Updated on March 17, 2025 Republican Florida congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna…
Ukraine's Zelenskyy replaces top military official ahead of Trump-Putin call

Zelenskyy of Ukraine appoints new top military official before Trump-Putin conversation

The Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, made a decision to replace the top…
President Donald Trump visits the Kennedy Center as he puts his mark on the national arts institution

Donald Trump, the President, Visits the Kennedy Center to Influence the National Arts Institution

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump on Monday visited the John F. Kennedy…
Mass anti-corruption protests put strain on close European ally of Russia

“European Ally of Russia Faces Pressure from Mass Anti-Corruption Protests”

Student-led protests pose the gravest threat to Serbian strongman Aleksandar Vucic’s 14…
Republicans launch bid to make 'Trump Derangement Syndrome' an official mental illness

Republicans are attempting to classify ‘Trump Derangement Syndrome’ as an officially recognized mental disorder

Republican lawmakers have launched a bid to have ‘Trump Derangement Syndrome’ considered…
Hollywood stars beg Trump for help after calling him a 'pig' and a 'petty dictator'

“Movie Industry Celebrities Seek Assistance from Trump Despite Prior Criticism”

Many celebrities, including numerous liberals who have previously publicly criticized Donald Trump,…
Disney wins 25 Children's & Family Emmys, 'Percy Jackson' becomes most decorated title of the night

Disney sweeps Children’s & Family Emmys with 25 wins, ‘Percy Jackson’ shines as top title of the evening

LOS ANGELES — Over the weekend, the Television Academy hosted the 3rd…
Jesse Colin Young dead at 83: Youngbloods frontman passes away at his home in South Carolina

Musician Jesse Colin Young, lead singer of The Youngbloods, dies at 83 in South Carolina residence

Jesse Colin Young, the tenor for the band Youngbloods, passed away at…
‘1923’ Season 2 Episode 4 Recap: “Journey the Rivers of Iron”

Recap of Season 2 Episode 4 of ‘1923’: Exploring the Iron Rivers

Spencer Dutton reflects on how the country has changed since the Great…
Comedian Tracy Morgan speaks out after falling ill during Knicks game at Madison Square Garden

Tracy Morgan, the comedian, shares his experience of getting sick at a Knicks game in Madison Square Garden

NEW YORK — During Monday night’s basketball game between the New York…
Luigi Mangione, alleged UnitedHealthcare CEO killer's federal case pushed to April, according to court records

Alleged UnitedHealthcare CEO Killer’s Federal Case Rescheduled to April, Court Records Show

MANHATTAN — Luigi Mangione, who is accused of killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian…