June 18, 2018

Duckworth, Durbin Announce $500,000 for Environmental Cleanup in Rockford, IL

 

[WASHINGTON, DC] – U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced $500,000 in federal funding today to help clean up sites contaminated with toxic pollutants in Rockford, IL. The revolving loan grant funding 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 Rockford children, and is also a necessary step in helping spur development, job creation and economic growth for these areas,” said Duckworth. “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 Rockford,” said Durbin. “Senator Duckworth and I will continue working to ensure that Illinois has access to investments that benefit the environment and economy.”

”We are grateful for Senator Duckworth’s and Senator Durbin’s advocacy and support in obtaining these grants funds from the USEPA,” said Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara. “These RLF dollars are critical to our overall economic development strategies in identifying and removing environmental barriers to redeveloping brownfield sites, specifically vacant industrial buildings throughout our community.”

The City of Rockford will be using their $500,000 grant to finance the cleanup of contaminated sites, with a focus on vacant and abandoned facilities. After the cleanup is finished, these sites will be available to be repurposed into housing, recreation and open space, health facilities, social services, transportation options, infrastructure and commerce opportunities. Investments like these are provided to communities who have demonstrated success in their clean up and redevelopment efforts of contaminated sites.

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