Statement from Illinois Environmental Protection Agency Director Lisa Bonnet

SPRINGFIELD — Under the direction of Governor Quinn, the Illinois EPA is working with U.S. EPA to ensure that a recent crude oil release into Lake Michigan from the BP Whiting Refinery does not harm this precious water resource used for drinking, recreation and fishing. Illinois, like all other states that border Lake Michigan, have a shared responsibility for assuring that water pollution poses no threat to this significant water body. Given that the waters of Lake Michigan provide over 40 percent of our state’s citizens with drinking water, safeguarding its quality is of utmost importance.