March 06, 2019

Duckworth Meets with Alliance for the Great Lakes

 

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) met with leaders of the Alliance for the Great Lakes today to discuss the importance of protecting the Great Lakes, managing invasive species like Asian carp and funding water infrastructure programs. Duckworth also met with representatives from the League of Women Voters of the US, Friends of the Forest Preserves, Chicago Park District, Friends of the Chicago River, Shedd Aquarium and Metropolitan Mayors Caucus. A photo from today’s meeting is available here.

“The Great Lakes is the source of drinking water for tens of millions of Americans and supports 1.5 million jobs,” Duckworth said. “I’ll keep working with organizations like the Alliance for the Great Lakes to do everything we can to restore the Great Lakes, help maintain our vibrant $7 billion fishing industry and ensure our water is clean for families in Illinois and throughout the Great Lakes region.”

As the top Democrat on the Senate Subcommittee on Fisheries, Water and Wildlife, Duckworth has been a strong advocate for protecting the Great Lakes from threats like toxic pollution, invasive species and President Trump’s budget cuts. She and U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) had several of their priorities included in the America’s Water Infrastructure Act of 2018 last year, including improving federal cost sharing at Brandon Road Lock and Dam. Last year, Duckworth also introduced the Great Lakes Water Protection Act to improve water quality in the Great Lakes and create a dedicated fund to help clean up sewage in the Great Lakes.

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