Pritzker Administration Awards $83,479 in Rebuild Illinois Capital Funding to the City of Rolling Meadows to Address Stormwater Runoff

SPRINGFIELD — Illinois Environmental Protection Agency Director John Kim announced the City of Rolling Meadows will receive almost $83,500 in Green Infrastructure Grant Opportunity (GIGO) funding to implement the Park Street Storm Sewer Improvements project to construct a bioswale and expand a wetland along a corridor of public parkland adjacent to the Kimball Hill Elementary School.

A bioswale is a vegetated channel designed to convey stormwater runoff, while allowing a portion of the water to infiltrate into the ground or be taken up by the plants within the system. This project is part of the larger storm sewer improvement effort aimed to address flooding experienced on and near Park Street and at the intersection of Meadow Drive and South Street. The City plans to partner with Kimball Hill Elementary School to educate students on the value of green infrastructure. The City applied for a GIGO grant from Illinois EPA with a total project budget of $111,305, with Illinois EPA providing $83,479 in grant funds and the City providing $27,826 in match.

"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 Park Street Storm Sewer improvements project, the residents of Rolling Meadows will have increased protection against excess stormwater and peace of mind that their homes and families are safe."

"This project is a great example of applying green infrastructure to improve stormwater management and water quality while also providing a wide range of benefits to the community and wildlife," said Director Kim. "The Illinois EPA is pleased to be able to provide grant funding to Rolling Meadows for this important project."

"The Park Street Storm Sewer Improvements project is important to the City of Rolling Meadows. This project serves to help mitigate flooding issues that have impacted area residents within identified drainage area," said Rob Horne, Public Works Director. "The project also offers the potential of installing a bioswale that can improve the quality of stormwater runoff by allowing the water to naturally be filtered before entering the Salt Creek. It also provides the potential for a great learning opportunity for the nearby students of Kimball Hill Elementary School."

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 .