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Newsletter: You can now subscribe
to our quarterly email newsletter, the Citizens'
Bulletin.
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Gov. Pat Quinn (center) announced on Dec. 4 that financing to complete
a major wastewater treatment plant upgrade in Pekin was the first loan under the Illinois Clean
Water Initiative. Joining him (left to right) were IEPA Interim Director John Kim, Pekin Mayor
Laurie Barra, State Sen. David Koehler, and Illinois Finance Authority Executive Director Chris
Meister, as well as several construction workers on the project.
Helpful tips on reducing waste, conserving energy and other "green" holiday practices
may be found in Illinois EPA's "Tips for Living Green During the Holidays."
Governor Pat Quinn has announced
a new $1 billion Clean Water Initiative that will provide affordable financing for
communities across Illinois for such badly-needed projects as sewer and wastewater
treatment plant upgrades, drinking water treatment plant improvements and aging
water main replacements. This new initiative builds on the success of the loan
program administered by Illinois EPA since 1989 that has provided more than $4.3
billion in below market-rate loans to 472 Illinois communities for drinking water
and wastewater infrastructure. The Clean Water Initiative greatly expands the number
of projects that can proceed and will create a projected 9,700 direct construction
jobs and more than 18,800 related and stimulated jobs. Because it will use bonds
issued through the Illinois Finance Authority that are tied to the repayment of the
loans, the Clean Water Initiative will not increase general obligation debt for the
state or require any additional state funds. Local governments, water and wastewater
districts across Illinois are urged to participate in this exciting initiative. The Clean Water Initiative page has further information on how to apply.
The University of Illinois at Springfield Graduate Public
Service Internship (GPSI) Program places graduate students for internships with state
agencies. Illinois EPA has led all state agencies in the number of GPSI placements for
several years. Current GPSI interns at Illinois EPA include (photo, left to right):
Laura Longren, Caleb Ruyle, Kayla McDaniel, Heidi Bruce, Katelynn Esig, Brad Regul,
Omonike Arrrsinde, Ramele Goodwin-Corley, Emily Boston, Nicholas Defraites, Brian
Moseley, Alison Hester, Kristi Dodson, Natalia Jones, Stephanie Garrison, Sayora
Abatora, Grace Sauvanja.
Anthony Long of Litchfield was the winner of a rain barrel
designed and painted by Governor's Environmental Corps intern Khalil Jamal. Long
participated in a giveaway at the Illinois State Fair in August to encourage water
conservation by being the entrant to correctly guess the number of aluminum cans (600)
crushed into a compact cube. The rain barrel is made from recycled plastic and was
purchased by the Illinois EPA's Employee Recognition Committee, with no taxpayer funds
involved, for the Agency's interactive exhibit in Conservation World on the Illinois
State Fairgrounds in Springfield. "With the extreme drought conditions across most of
Illinois this past summer, on those rare occasions when it does rain, it is more
important than ever to preserve those precious drops in your own rain barrel for future
use" said Illinois EPA Interim Director John Kim.
TO RESIDENTS OF SAUK VILLAGE: It has come to our attention that a notice was
circulated on Sept. 10, asserting "Water Trouble Again" in Sauk Village. The
Illinois EPA wants citizens to know that the Sauk Village water supply remains
safe to drink. Temporary treatment continues to remove the contamination, and
the Agency tests it frequently to ensure that the public water supply continues to be safe.
All information published by the IEPA as required by the
Illinois Right-to-Know
2009 law regarding the Sauk Village Water Supply Contamination Issue can be
found on the Public Water
Supply Groundwater Contamination page.
A new fact sheet about blue green algae
and the health risks to people and animals from exposure to algal toxins is now available.
Weather patterns this summer have caused an increase in blue green algae and elevated toxin
levels in some Illinois waterbodies. People should avoid contact with water that is
discolored (heavy green, blue-green, yellow, brown, or red) or has algal scum on the surface
and restrict the access of their pets and livestock to this water. This includes swimming, water
skiing, tubing, and boating.
The Illinois Electronic Products Recycling and Reuse Act prohibits
disposing of unwanted electronics in regular trash for burial in landfills starting
Jan. 1, 2012. This includes televisions, computers, monitors, printers, keyboards,
DVRs, etc; These products typically contain many valuable metals that can be recycled.
A list of
registered electronic waste (e-waste) collection sites and information for
manufacturers, collectors, recyclers, and refurbishers is available on the
Electronic Waste Recycling
page. In addition, many local governments and other organizations sponsor one-day
e-waste collection events. Other locations, including some major retailers, may be
found by entering your home location in the search engine for the
Earth911.com web site.
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