Congressman Lipinski Secures Nearly $2 Million in Federal Funds
for Projects to Help Local Communities

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Congressman Dan Lipinski (D-IL) announced today that nearly $2 million for critical projects in Chicagoland will be included in the Fiscal Year 2008 Energy and Water Appropriations bill and the Fiscal Year 2008 Labor, Health & Human Services, and Education Appropriations bill, both of which the House is set to consider this week.

"Securing these federal funds will help take care of some immediate needs in our communities as well as providing for future needs," said Rep. Lipinski.  "If approved, this money will be used to help abused and neglected children, improve local water and sewer systems, invest in new technologies, and develop new environmentally-friendly transportation.  I am proud to have worked to secure funds for these worthy projects that will improve the quality of life in our communities."

The Fiscal Year 2008 Energy and Water Development Appropriations bill includes funding for the following projects requested by Rep. Lipinski:

• $500,000 for the Cook County Environmental Infrastructure Fund, to aid in improving local water and sewer systems and community environmental infrastructure needs.
• $1,000,000 for fuel research and development at Northern Illinois University. Working in partnership with Argonne National Laboratory, Northern Illinois University will continue a joint research program to develop a viable fuel cell vehicle that will provide environmentally-friendly transportation.

The Fiscal Year 2008 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations bill includes funding for the following projects requested by Rep. Lipinski:

• $275,000 for Advocate Health Care's Childhood Trauma Treatment Program for specialized and comprehensive psychotherapy and support for abused and neglected children and their families.
• $125,000 for Northern Illinois University's College of Engineering and Engineering Technology for a center developing new technologies and working on interdisciplinary projects ranging from homeland security to noise cancellation.

These appropriations bills will be considered by the full House of Representatives this week.  If adopted by the House, the bills will be considered in a conference with the Senate, voted on by Congress, and then if approved sent to the President to be signed into law.