Press Release - Tuesday, June 27, 2006
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Gov. Blagojevich announces $1,024,417 Opportunity Returns funding to improve drinking water in Sycamore
SYCAMORE. --- Governor Rod R. Blagojevich announced today that the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency has approved a $1,024,417 Drinking Water Infrastructure loan, which will enable the De Kalb County City of Sycamore to provide residents with improved drinking water and proper treatment of naturally-occurring radium in some wells. Illinois EPA Director Doug Scott was in Sycamore today to present a ceremonial "big check" to Mayor Ken Mundy.
The proposed project is an upgrade to the Sycamore Public Water Supply. The work consists of constructing facilities at Well Numbers 6 and 8 to house radium treatment equipment, which will be leased by the City. The project will ensure that Sycamore residents consume safe water that meets standards for radium.
The funding for the project is being provided through the Illinois EPA as part of Opportunity Returns, the Governor's comprehensive, pro-active economic development plan for the Northeast region.
"Opportunity Returns is critical to our state's economic future, and funding infrastructure improvements are an integral part of the program," said Gov. Blagojevich. "With these loans, communities can provide necessary services to citizens, as well as to existing and potentially new businesses. By working together, we will continue doing all we can to help the Northeast region reach its economic potential."
The loan from the Illinois EPA is part of the Agency's revolving loan program that utilizes federal and state funding to provide loans for eligible drinking water and wastewater treatment projects at half the market interest rate. Interest and principle paid on the 20-year loans is returned to the fund to support other low interest loans.
"It is through this state and federal partnership that we are able to address the infrastructure needs of our communities," said Illinois EPA Director Doug Scott. "I am appreciative of the efforts of Illinois' congressional delegation for proposing enhanced funding for the State Revolving Fund and for new grant funding."
"The IEPA loan to the City of Sycamore for treatment of wells 6 and 8 to address federal standards of radium levels in the water supply is a good example of federal, state, and local resources blended together to provide a solution to radium as it occurs naturally in water supplies, especially in our area," said Sycamore Mayor Ken Mundy.
"This loan through Illinois EPA is great news and critical for Sycamore's efforts to comply with the radium standard for its drinking water supply," said State Sen. Brad Burzynski, R-Clare.
"This partnership between the state and the city will assure that Sycamore has a water supply that will meet new health standards despite having a source impacted by naturally-occurring radium," added State Rep. Robert Pritchard, R-Hinckley.
Due to Illinois' critical need for safe drinking water and effective treatment systems, Governor Blagojevich has demanded that the federal government fully subsidize the State Revolving Fund, which is 80 percent federally-funded. Since the Clean Water Act was passed more than 30 years ago, the federal government's funding for clean water infrastructure has decreased by 70 percent. This year's federal budget proposal would leave many local communities without the resources to complete the necessary infrastructure improvements necessary to protect public health and promote economic development.
During his administration, Gov. Blagojevich has been committed to improving the environment for Illinois citizens. As part of his 2006 State of the State address, the governor proposed a plan to drastically reduce mercury emissions from power plants by 90 percent by June 30, 2009. This ambitious plan to protect Illinois families from harmful mercury emissions will provide tougher standards than those proposed by the federal government.
Gov. Blagojevich's Opportunity Returns regional economic development strategy is the most aggressive, comprehensive approach to creating jobs in Illinois' history. Since a one-size-fits-all approach to economic development just doesn't work, the governor has divided the state into 10 regions - each with a regional team that is empowered and expected to rapidly respond to opportunities and challenges. Opportunity Returns is about tangible, specific actions to make each region more accessible, more marketable, more entrepreneurial and more attractive to businesses. It is about upgrading the skills of the local workforce, increasing the access to capital, opening new markets, improving infrastructure, and creating and retaining jobs. Opportunity Returns is about successfully partnering with companies and communities, both large and small, to help all of Illinois reach its economic potential.
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