MONMOUTH, Ill. — Over $123 million in tax dollars will be going towards various infrastructure projects in western Illinois, U.S. Rep. Eric Sorensen, D-Rockford, said in a press release.
One of those projects includes $959,752 to the city of Monmouth to replace lead service lines in the community.
"These federal funds will also be spent in high-risk properties such as schools, hospitals, nursing homes, and childcare facilities where lead water service lines are known to exist," Monmouth Mayor Rod Davies said in the release. "The allocation of federal funds will not only lessen the financial burden for the City and community residents but will also advance the time frame to fully and successfully complete this task."
Illinois has the second most lead service lines of any state, according to a 2023 report from the Environmental Protection Agency. Davies estimates replacing all the lines in the community will total around $10 million.
Moline will also receive $500,000 to replace around 70 lead service lines along 15th Street between 16th and 20th Avenues.
“The City of Moline is so grateful for this allocation which helps us address a $36 million long-term program to replace lead service lines," Moline Mayor Sangeetha Rayapati said in the release.
Rock Island will receive nearly $1.5 million to reconstruct the intersection at 35th Street West and Centennial Expressway.
“This is exciting news, this will help Rock Island begin the project of replacing a major intersection that has been riddled with potholes and poor concrete conditions,” Rock Island Mayor Mike Thoms said in the release
The City of Lanark will also receive $959,752 in funding to repair city water mains.
The largest chunk of funding will go towards improving infrastructure along the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers through the Navigation and Ecosystem Sustainability Program. $120 million will go towards upgrading locks along both rivers.
Monmouth Mayor Rod Davies joined The Current on News 8 to talk more about what the funding means for the community. You can watch his full interview in the above video.
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