June 18, 2018

Duckworth, Durbin Announce $600,000 for Environmental Cleanup in Western Illinois

 

[WASHINGTON, DC] – U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced $600,000 in federal funding today to help plan for the elimination of toxic pollutants from contaminated sites in economically disadvantaged communities in Western Illinois. The assessment grants are provided by the U.S. 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 children in Western Illinois, 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 Western Illinois,” said Durbin. “Senator Duckworth and I will continue working to ensure that Illinois has access to investments that benefit the environment and economy.”

The Prairie Hills Resource Conservation and Development Inc. (PHRCD) will be using their funding to assess the contamination levels at 40 sites polluted by varying levels of hazardous substances and petroleum. From these assessments, the PHRCD will be determining the prioritization of funds for future Brownfields cleanup projects, as well as developing six remedial action plans and two area-wide action plans. PHRCD will target brownfield sites in Fulton, Knox, McDonough and Warren Counties, with a focus on the larger cities of Canton, Galesburg, Macomb and Monmouth.

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