Pritzker Administration Awards $90,679 in Rebuild Illinois Capital Funding to the Village of Richton Park to Address Stormwater Runoff

SPRINGFIELD — Illinois Environmental Protection Agency Director John Kim announced the Village of Richton Park will receive almost $90,679 in Green Infrastructure Grant Opportunity (GIGO) funding to implement the Town Center Stormwater Improvements - Stage 4 project to retrofit an existing 0.4-acre dry detention basin to increase its stormwater storage capacity and convert it to a wet bottom detention basin. The current dry detention basin has an outflow pipe that immediately delivers stormwater from the basin directly into the Butterfield Creek East Branch Tributary.

"Protecting Illinois communities and businesses from persistent flooding and water damage is a top priority for my administration which is why the Rebuild Illinois capital plan has funding specifically dedicated to green infrastructure initiatives," said Governor JB Pritzker. "Through the Town Center Stormwater Improvements project, the residents of Richton Park will have increased protection against excess stormwater and peace of mind that their homes and families are safe."

The project will excavate the bottom of the basin below the outflow pipe allowing part of the stormwater to remain in the basin and ultimately infiltrate into the ground. In 2018, the Village of Richton Park worked to identify flood control projects within the Village's Town Center along Butterfield Creek East Branch Tributary. Storage and conveyance alternatives were evaluated, and the storage option was pursued as it provided more benefit to the overall community.

The project site was chosen by the Village due to its close proximity to the Village's Town Center and its location upstream of flood impact areas. The Village applied for a GIGO grant from Illinois EPA with a total project budget of $120,905, with Illinois EPA providing $90,679 in grant funds and the Village providing $30,226 in match.

"Retrofitting the detention basin will help reduce the amount of stormwater delivered directly to the Butterfield Creek East Branch Tributary, by allowing some of the water held in the basin to infiltrate into the ground between storms," said Director Kim. "Projects like this, that delay the delivery of the stormwater to the creek, will help reduce the number and duration of flood events downstream of the project site. Butterfield Creek East Branch Tributary, Sauk Trail, and Governors Highway will all experience reduced flooding to the benefit of the community."

"This is an amazing opportunity for the Village of Richton Park. The Village has been awarded close to 5 million so far in this $24 million project," said Michael Wegrzyn, Director of Public Works. "Through this grant, the Village will be one step closer to reducing the flooding in this area, benefiting all the residents of Richton Park."

The GIGO Grant Program is a competitive financial assistance grant program established to help protect Illinois' water resources. The GIGO Program is funded through the Rebuild Illinois Capital Plan. The funds are used to implement green infrastructure best management practices to control stormwater runoff. Stormwater runoff causes flooding and carries pollutants into waterways such as rivers, streams, lakes, wetlands, and even groundwater.

For additional information on Illinois' Green Infrastructure Grant Opportunities Grant Program, please visit https://www2.illinois.gov/epa/topics/water-quality/surface-water/Pages/green-infrastructure.aspx .