Governor Quinn Announces Investments for Stormwater Management Projects in Cook County Communities

BERWYN - Governor Pat Quinn today announced investments for stormwater management projects in Berwyn, Forest Park and Westchester from his Illinois Jobs Now! capital construction program. Today's announcement is part of Governor Quinn's agenda to protect the environment by modernizing Illinois' water infrastructure, create jobs and drive Illinois' economy forward.

"It's important that we protect Illinois communities from damaging floods," Governor Quinn said. "We must invest locally to ensure our cities and our residents are prepared. These projects in Berwyn, Forest Park and Westchester will alleviate urban flooding problems the community has experienced and make the stormwater management system more environmentally friendly."

The City of Berwyn will receive three Illinois Green Infrastructure Grants totaling $2.2 million:

• The Green Alleys Program will reconstruct eight concrete alleys totaling 8,480 square yards into new green alleys with pervious concrete to allow stormwater to infiltrate into the alley and be stored underneath. This will let the water be slowly discharged into the storm sewer or percolate into the soil. The state investment totals $1,445,765, and the total project cost is $1.7 million.
• The Berwyn Depot District Streetscape Project will include a number of green stormwater management practices to reduce flooding and preserve the environment. Asphalt parking spaces will be replaced with porous pavement to provide temporary storage of stormwater runoff; tree boxes will be installed within existing sidewalks to support trees and their root systems; bioswales will be built to convey and cleanse stormwater; and native vegetation will be planted to help keep soil and associated pollutants in place and not in the river. The state investment is for $750,000, and the total project cost is $1.26 million.
• The Residential Downspout Disconnection Program will service 500 homes and decrease the volume of water entering the sewers during storms. Many of the downspouts are directly connected to the city's sewer system, and disconnecting the downspouts will reduce the volume of the stormwater entering the combined sewer system by 50 percent. The state investment totals $42,000 and the total project cost is $56,000.

"Under Governor Quinn, the state of Illinois has helped municipalities like Berwyn modernize our infrastructure and get people back to work," Berwyn Mayor Robert J. Lavero said. "Making these environmentally friendly improvements would not have been possible without the state's assistance."

Forest Park will receive a $526,325 state investment for their Green Alleys and Downspout Disconnection Project. Two alleyways will be reconstructed with pervious materials, and downspouts on 80 homes will be disconnected from the storm sewer system. These will significantly reduce the volume of stormwater runoff entering the combined sewers. The total project cost is $619,700.

The Westchester Green Alleys Project will reconstruct four alleys in Westchester with permeable interlocking concrete pavers. These pervious pavers will increase stormwater infiltration and allow over 142,000 gallons of stormwater to be collected over these alleys and kept out of the storm sewer system. The state investment totals $384,619 and the total project cost is $512,825.

"The Seventh District is a leader when it comes to the environment, and I'm proud to support Illinois Green Infrastructure Grants," State Representative Emanuel Chris Welch (D-Westchester) said. "Once again, Governor Quinn has proven to be a leader who takes care of everyone. With Pat Quinn, everybody's in and no one is left out."

The Illinois Green Infrastructure Grants are administered through the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and are also part of Governor Quinn's $31 billion Illinois Jobs Now! program. They fund projects that control or reduce rain-related urban flooding. Illinois Jobs Now! is the largest construction program in Illinois history, and is one of the largest construction programs in the nation, supporting more than 439,000 jobs over six years.

"These projects illustrate how green infrastructure can positively improve stormwater management concerns in urban communities," Illinois EPA Director Lisa Bonnett said. "The Berwyn, Forest Park and Westchester projects will provide a green solution to flooding and water pollution, while bringing economic and environmental benefits to the area."