Durbin, Duckworth Announce $17.8 Million In EPA Grant Funding To Clean And Redevelop Contaminated Illinois Sites
Brownfields are properties upon which expansion, redevelopment, or reuse is complicated by the presence or potential presence of hazardous materials and substances
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Environmental Justice Caucus, and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Environmental Justice Caucus, announced that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) awarded 10 grants, totaling $17,833,610, to Illinois communities to assess, clean, and redevelop “brownfield” contaminated waste sites. Brownfields are properties upon which expansion, redevelopment, or reuse is complicated by the presence or potential presence of hazardous materials and substances.
“Today’s announced federal funding, some of which was made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, will support efforts to clean up hazardous materials that undermine the health, growth, and beauty of communities throughout Illinois,” said Durbin. “In addition to improving our environment, restoring Brownfields will provide new opportunities for jobs and economic development. I’ll continue to be a strong advocate for EPA investments like this that make our communities safer and healthier.”
“Cleaning up contaminated and underutilized sites helps protect the health of children and families, and it also helps spur development, job creation and economic growth for affected communities,” said Duckworth. “As a co-founder of the Senate’s Environmental Justice caucus, I’m relieved that this federal funding will help clean up polluted brownfields across Illinois and I’ll keep working to ensure the health and safety of our communities is protected and upheld.”
EPA’s Brownfields Program advances President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative to direct 40 percent of the overall benefits of certain federal investments to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized and overburdened by pollution and underinvestment. Approximately 86 percent of the Brownfields Multipurpose, Assessment, and Cleanup (MAC) Grant Programs and Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) Grant Programs applications selected to receive funding proposed to work in areas that include historically disadvantaged communities. EPA’s Brownfields Program began in 1995 and has provided nearly $2.7 billion in Brownfield Grants to assess and clean up contaminated properties and return blighted properties to productive reuse.
The following communities will receive funding under this announcement:
Chicago Southwest Development Corporation
Cleanup Grant
$2,000,000
EPA has selected the Chicago Southwest Development Corporation for a Brownfields Cleanup Grant that will be funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Grant funds will be used to clean up the former Washburne Trade School Parcel located at 3233 West 31st Street. The 10.8-acre cleanup site operated as a factory site from 1910 to 1958 and contained a transformer building, machine shops, a freight warehouse, and several underground storage tanks. It later operated as a trade school until the mid-1990s and the existing structures were demolished by 2010. The site is now vacant and contaminated with volatile and semi-volatile organic compounds and metals. Grant funds also will be used to support community engagement activities.
Cook County Department of Environment and Sustainability
RLF Supplemental Grant
$950,000
In addition to the $751,000 in EPA funds already awarded, the Cook County Department of Environment and Sustainability Brownfield Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) has been selected to receive an additional $950,000 through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) because it has a high-performing RLF program with significantly depleted funds. The RLF program has successfully made its first loan leading to one completed cleanup project. Potential projects highlighted for use of the BIL funding include the remediation of sites in Maywood, Chicago Heights, and Calumet City, Illinois. The BIL funding will extend the capacity of the program to provide funding for more cleanups in the most underserved areas in coalition communities in south and west suburban Cook County, including Chicago Heights, Ford Heights, Sauk Village, Bellwood, Maywood, Schiller Park, and Franklin Park.
Decatur
Assessment Grant
$500,000
EPA has selected the City of Decatur for a Brownfields Assessment Grant. Community-wide grant funds will be used to update and maintain a site inventory and conduct 12 Phase I and four Phase II environmental site assessments. Grant funds also will be used to support community engagement activities and develop reuse plans for the Jasper Street and MLK Corridors, which are the target areas for this grant. Priority sites include three former gas stations, the 21.5-acre former Prairie Farms Manufacturing campus, and the 9-acre former Tire One fuel transfer station and distribution center.
Illinois Environmental Protection Agency
RLF Supplemental Grant
$3,500,000
In addition to the $8,450,000 in EPA funds already awarded, the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency Brownfield Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) has been selected to receive an additional $3,500,000 through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) because it has a high-performing RLF program with significantly depleted funds. The RLF program has successfully made loans or subgrants leading to 22 cleanup projects that are either completed or in progress. Potential projects highlighted for use of the BIL funding include sites located in Springfield, North Chicago, and Waukegan. The BIL funding will extend the capacity of the program to provide funding for more cleanups in the most underserved areas in the state of Illinois.
Mendota
Cleanup Grant
$1,270,305
EPA has selected the City of Mendota for a Brownfields Cleanup Grant that will be funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Grant funds will be used to clean up the Former Campbell Cleaners property located at 805-807 Illinois Avenue. The 0.25-acre cleanup site consists of two parcels. The southern parcel was used as a steam laundry and dry cleaners from 1929 to 2000. The structure was demolished in 2020 and the site has since been vacant. The northern parcel was used for farm implement sales and service and as an automobile parts retailer from 1956 to 2023, and currently is vacant and unused. Both parcels are contaminated with volatile organic compounds and metals. Grant funds also will be used to conduct community engagement activities.
Moving Pillsbury Forward in Springfield
Cleanup Grant
$2,652,300
EPA has selected Moving Pillsbury Forward for a Brownfields Cleanup Grant that will be funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Grant funds will be used to clean up Buildings B, C, D, and G of the Former Pillsbury Plant located at 1525 E. Phillips Avenue in the City of Springfield. The 18-acre complex was formerly used for large-scale grain milling, manufacturing, and warehousing operations from approximately 1929 to 2001. It has since fallen into disrepair and several buildings have been demolished. The site is contaminated with inorganic contaminants and metals. Grant funds also will be used to develop fact sheets, provide website updates, and conduct public meetings.
North Central Illinois Council of Governments
Assessment Grant
$1,500,000
EPA has selected the North Central Illinois Council of Governments to lead a Brownfields Assessment Coalition Grant. Grant funds will be used to prioritize and inventory brownfield sites and conduct 28 Phase I and 15 Phase II environmental site assessments. Grant funds also will be used to develop 10 cleanup plans and four revitalization plans, and support community engagement activities. Assessment activities will focus on The City of Mendota’s downtown corridor, the City of Streator’s central business district, and the riverfront areas of the Cities of Marseilles and Peru. Priority sites include a 5-acre former railyard, a 4.8-acre former Nabisco factory, and a former watch factory that was partially destroyed by a fire in 2012. Non-lead coalition members include the Cities of Marseilles, Peru, Streator, and Mendota.
Rockford
RLF Supplemental Grant
$3,500,000
In addition to the $8,900,000 in EPA funds already awarded, the City of Rockford Brownfield Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) has been selected to receive an additional $3,500,000 through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) because it has a high-performing RLF program with significantly depleted funds. The RLF program has successfully made loans leading to eight cleanup projects that are either completed or in progress. Projects highlighted for use of the BIL funding include the Colman Yards Redevelopment and the South Main Street Railyards Area. The BIL funding will extend the capacity of the program to provide funding for more cleanups in the most underserved areas in the City of Rockford, Illinois.
South Beloit
Cleanup Grant
$1,461,005
EPA has selected the City of South Beloit for a Brownfields Cleanup Grant that will be funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Grant funds will be used to clean up the Former Mannino property located at 420 Blackhawk Boulevard. The 1.7-acre cleanup site was historically used as a filling station, restaurant, and auto repair facility between 1959 and 2014. Site buildings were demolished in 2018 and the site has been vacant since then. It is contaminated with semi-volatile compounds and metals in its soil and groundwater. Grant funds also will be used to conduct cleanup planning and community engagement activities including three public meetings.
Tri-County Regional Planning Commission
Assessment Grant
$500,000
EPA has selected the Tri-County Regional Planning Commission for a Brownfields Assessment Grant. Community-wide grant funds will be used to conduct 15 Phase I and eight Phase II environmental site assessments. Grant funds also will be used to identify additional brownfield sites to add to the existing inventory, for cleanup and reuse planning, and for conducting community engagement activities. The target area for this grant is the Tri-County Regional Planning Commission’s service area including Peoria, Tazewell, and Woodford Counties with a focus on the City of Peoria's Southside Neighborhood. Priority sites include the Former Butternut Bread Bakery and the Former Harrison School.
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