SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — For over a year, Tierra Lee's home has been unlivable.
The damage began in April 2025 after pipeline company Insituform did a water-jetting job in her neighborhood. From that day forward, Lee and her children were forced to stay in a hotel.
"It was on the walls, the floorboards, the door, everywhere. There was also a substance on the floor that contained fecal matter and tissue remnants floating on the floor on both levels, upstairs and downstairs," Lee said.
In May 2025, Insituform claimed responsibility for the damage. While the City of Springfield hired the piping company, its contract protects the company from liability.
"I did not inquire [about] this company. The term — I did not hire this company at the time. The city hired them on their behalf to do work on our city streets," Lee said.
Insituform's former insurance company, ESIS, paid for the family's temporary housing at a hotel. But Lee said ESIS refused to pay any longer.
Insurance representative Trey Hahn mentioned a settlement package, but an official offer never came.
"He said that for any settlement over $10,000, he didn't have the authorization to proceed with it. So, it had to go to his higher-ups," Lee said.
Lee received an email from Hahn in March saying the settlement was still pending approval. Four months and several emails later, Lee reached out again. She said she still had not heard back about a settlement.
"It's disheartening. It's discouraging. I have children that depend on me. This is our stability. This was our home," Lee said.
After months of emails and 16 months of being displaced from their home, Tierra and her children are asking the question again: When can we finally return home in Springfield?
In July, the contractor terminated its partnership with ESIS. For now, a local Springfield organization is helping extend Lee's temporary housing until Sept. 4.
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