June 18, 2018

Duckworth, Durbin Announce $200,000 for Environmental Cleanup in the Chicagoland Area

 

[WASHINGTON, DC] – U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced $200,000 in federal funding today to help eliminate toxic pollutants from a contaminated site in an economically disadvantaged neighborhood in the Chicago area. The cleanup grant is provided by the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Brownfields Program, which provides financial assistance to those working to assess and safely clean up contaminated properties whose expansion, redevelopment or reuse is complicated by hazardous substances or pollution.

“Eliminating contaminated sites is critical in protecting the health of Chicago children, and is also a necessary step in helping spur development, job creation and economic growth for these areas,” Duckworth said. “I’ll continue working with Senator Durbin so that all Illinoisans can breathe clean air and live in a safe environment without fear of toxins and pollution.”

“This federal funding will support efforts to clean up hazardous materials which undermine the health, growth, and beauty of communities in Cook County,” Durbin said. “Senator Duckworth and I will continue working to ensure that Illinois has access to investments that benefit the environment and economy.”

"The funds provided by this cleanup grant are critical to starting remediation work on one of Chicago's most contaminated sites, creating a healthier environment in our communities and clearing the way to advance the Focal Point Project that will catalyze further progress in sustainable development,” said Guy A. Medaglia, President and Chief Executive Officer for CSDC. “We appreciate the strong support of Senator Duckworth, Senator Durbin, and other elected officials, and look forward to working with EPA on this effort and others in the future."

Senator Duckworth met with the Chicago Southwest Development Corporation (CSDC) last year to discuss their Focal Point Community Campus project, which will be a one million square foot multipurpose complex providing access to retail, recreation, arts, wellness and education services when completed. With the help of this funding, the CSDC will clean up a 3.2 acre area at 3250 South Kedzie Avenue, allowing it to become the future home of the Focal Point Community Campus. The site is currently contaminated with hazardous substances as a result of its previous use as an industrial facility by numerous chemical and manufacturing companies.

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