Trouble waters stir officials into action // Highland Park plan confronts rising problem

Homeowners on the Des Plaines River and Salt Creek get the mostattention when torrential rains send overflow from the streams ontoroads and streets and into homes.

However, Highland Park city officials quietly have been workingon an innovative plan to quell flooding of homes near thelittle-known Skokie River.

Thousands of dollars of damage have been caused in the northsuburb over the past two years as a result of flooding and stormwater backup in basements, homeowners say.

In 1986, one Highland Park homeowner collected $38,000 ininsurance for damage when a summer rain storm swelled the river andflooding a basement filled with artwork, antiques and …