Duckworth, Durbin Announce Federal Support for Water Infrastructure Repairs in Southern Illinois

Source: United States Senator for Illinois Tammy Duckworth

December 19, 2022

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] — U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth and U.S. Senator Dick Durbin today announced that the Greenwood Creek Nation Water Company in Mulkeytown, Illinois, will receive support from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to help the company make necessary, emergency repairs to damaged waterlines and valves.

“Every Illinoisan—no matter what part of the state they live—has the right to safe and clean drinking water,” said Duckworth. “I’m glad that the Greenwood Creek Nation Water Company will be able to use this federal support to improve its water infrastructure to better serve the thousands of folks who rely on them for their water.”

“Crumbling water systems and the issues that stem from them have plagued our communities for far too long,” said Durbin. “This investment will help Greenwood Creek Nation Water Company upgrade their water infrastructure, making clean water more accessible for residents across the region. Senator Duckworth and I will continue advocating for these much-needed updates to improve the lives of all Illinoisans.”

Greenwood Creek Nation Water Company is expected to receive $32,815 in rural development grants.

Last year, Duckworth’s bipartisan Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Act (DWWIA) was signed into law as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to help rebuild our nation’s crumbling and dangerous water infrastructure. DWWIA is enabling communities to repair and modernize failing wastewater systems, better protect families from forever chemicals like PFAS, remove dangerous lead pipes and deliver environmental justice to communities in every corner of the state that have been ignored for too long—all while creating good-paying, local jobs. Duckworth is also the co-founder of the U.S. Senate’s first-ever Environmental Justice Caucus, which focuses on advocating for communities that have been disproportionately impacted by environmental injustices.

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