Dam removal on Des Plaines River, Chicago River and other waterways will improve aquatic habitat and remove dangerous impediments to paddlers

RIVERSIDE, IL - Governor Pat Quinn today moved forward with a major initiative that will significantly improve the health of Illinois waterways by removing or modifying 16 low-head dams throughout the state over the next several years. At an event in Riverside, the governor announced the completion of the Hofmann Dam removal. The dam removal initiative is the latest by Governor Quinn to protect the environment and preserve Illinois' natural resources.

"Free-flowing rivers benefit all of Illinois," Governor Quinn said. "Removing these dams will improve waterways across our state, making them safer for kayakers and paddlers who use them for exercise and recreation, and for anglers who enjoy fishing in these rivers. This dam removal initiative will improve conservation, water quality and outdoor recreation in Illinois."

The Illinois Dam Removal Initiative will invest nearly $10 million to remove 12 dams in Cook County on the Des Plaines and Chicago Rivers, including the three that have already been removed.  Those projects included removing the Hofmann, Fairbank and Armitage dams in Riverside, which is helping to restore the Des Plaines River to a more free-flowing channel.  Removing these dams increases the diversity of fish and aquatic life, as well as eliminating dangers for undercurrents that were a threat to paddlers and fishing enthusiasts.

The removal of the three Des Plaines River dams, combined with the remaining nine removal projects planned in Cook County, are being funded through Governor Quinn's Illinois Jobs Now! capital program. These dams are targeted for removal over the next two years. The dams being removed or renovated have no benefit to plants and animals that inhabit the rivers or to people who use waterways for recreation. In addition, four other dams on the Vermilion River and Fox River will be modified or removed as part of the initiative.

"Removing dams improves water quality, aquatic habitat and recreational safety," said Illinois Department of Natural Resources Director Marc Miller. "It also addresses the issue of dealing with crumbling and aging infrastructure, which would be much more expensive to repair or replace. These dams no longer serve their original purpose and removal or modification will save the state and local communities' money in the future."

Important factors that were considered in removal of the Hofmann Dam included the distribution and type of vegetation that occurs on exposed stream banks, the effects on local infrastructure and community support.  The project was implemented under an agreement between the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers Chicago District and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR).  The IDNR agreed to acquire all necessary rights of way for the project.

"The Forest Preserve District of Cook County is the property owner of much of the land along the Des Plaines River, and we have been strong supporters of the removal of the Hofmann Dam since day one," Arnold Randall, Forest Preserve District of Cook County General Superintendent said. "Our mission is to maintain and preserve the natural lands of this County for the pleasure, recreation and education of the public. The Hofmann Dam removal project, and others like it, can help us do just that."

The areas extending upstream from Hofmann Dam will see the most direct physical benefit from the improvements. The upstream reach and river channel have been converted from a slow-moving, deeper pool habitat to a free-flowing stream habitat. The most important benefits include enhanced drainage system at nearby Swan Pond Park to prevent entrapment of fish, increased fish passage, restoration of the natural flow of the river and improved public safety.  More than 15 miles of the Des Plaines River, upstream of the previously existing dam, has been opened to all fish and other aquatic species and a significant increase in biodiversity will be gained.

"It's time for these dams to be removed to protect waterway users and aquatic species alike," said Margaret Frisbie, Friends of the Chicago River Executive Director. "When we eliminate these barriers we open miles and miles of the river system which is critical to restoring its health. 'Friends' has been working on dam removal with Governor Quinn from the beginning. I want to thank the Governor for once again being a champion of Rivers in Illinois."

Governor Quinn's $31 billion Illinois Jobs Now! capital construction program is the largest in Illinois history, supporting an estimated 439,000 construction jobs. The program, which aims to modernize Illinois' infrastructure, began in 2009.

Remaining dam removal projects include :

The North Branch of the Chicago River -- Remove or modify four low head dams and free up 55 miles of waterway from downtown Chicago to the north.  Partners include the Forest Preserve District of Cook County, the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, the Chicago Park District and other non-governmental organizations.  Total cost estimate:  $3,500,000.

·         Tam O' Shanter Dam - Removal

·         Chick Evans  Golf Course Dam - Removal

·         Winnetka Road Dam - Removal

·         North Branch Dam at River Park - Modification

The Des Plaines River -- Remove or modify eight low head dams and free up 32 miles of waterway for paddlers and fish passage. Partners include the Forest Preserve District of Cook County. Total costs estimate:  $6,000,000.

·         Dam 1 -  Removal

·         Dam 2 - Removal

·         Dam 4 - Removal                       

·         Dempster Street Dam - Removal

·         Touhy Ave Dam - Removal

·         Armitage Dam - Removal (work complete)

·         Fairbank Road Dam - Removal (work complete)

·         Hofmann Dam - Removal (work complete)

Other dams being considered for removal or modification under the initiative include :

·         Blackberry Creek Dam (Yorkville, Fox River) - Removal

·         Vermilion River Dam (Danville, Vermilion River) - Removal

·         Ellsworth Park Dam (Danville, Vermilion River) - Removal

·         Buzzi Unicem Dam (Oglesby, Vermillion River) - Additional modification

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The clients are different, but the question is always basically the same. Can you redesign my website? 

It doesn't matter how the question is phrased, every time it's asked, I give the same response:

There is no such thing as a Re Design. It's true; a redesign of a website is simply a repackaging. It's taking the same content and putting it in a new dress. Or taking the same software or function and adding some make-up. Now seriously, why would you want to do that?

There can only be a handful of reasons to even entertain the thought of it:

1. The current site doesn't work. It's broken, kaput!
2. The current site is no longer effectively selling your product or service.
3. It's outdated and ugly.
4. You just woke up and decided to change everything for the sake of changing things.
5. Somebody told you it was a good idea.

Here's a breakdown of those reasons, and whether or not a redesign is the solution.

1. If the current site is broken: Well if it's broke, you've got to fix it. And if it needs to be fixed, why use duct tape and glue? Building it correctly from the ground up is a smarter use of your money, and will most likely cost you the same thing - or less. And you can build it with the latest technology, optimized for search, easier updating and better functionality

2. If the site is no longer effectively selling your product or service: Why repackage something that doesn't sell? A good developer will tell you why it's not selling - he just needs to look at the data. Let him show you why it's a lame duck, then have him give you the alternatives.

3. If it's outdated and ugly: Well this is pretty self-explanatory but I will say this: I've seen a lot of "ugly" sites sell a lot of product; don't base your decision on ugly - that's a matter of opinion. I've told many people with ugly sites NOT to touch them. Hey, if they sell, who cares what they look like, right? Outdated is a different story. You can't compete with today's sites using outdated technology. Just ask MySpace

4. If you just woke up and decided to change everything: Go shoe shopping. Buy a new hat. But realize when you call a web developer, you're not going to be happy with anything he does. You'll be wasting your money and driving some poor developer nutso for nothing.

5. If somebody told you to redesign your website: Odds are, that person is a web designer - NOT a web developer, and trust me, there is a huge difference between the two. A web designer is going to give you exactly what you ask for - the colors, the content, the buttons, the pictures - the exact website you tell him to build. A web developer is going to tell you honestly if and why you're wrong about all of those things. A developer is going to tell you that your bio is great, but it doesn't sell you. Or that your photos make you look like an alien life form. A developer is going to tell you how and why to build it this way. And let's be honest - if you knew the exact site you needed to have with the colors, content, buttons and pictures, you wouldn't need to hire someone would you?

If I want to build a house, I'm going to call a guy who builds houses, not a guy who paints them.

So, when is it time to redesign? If your site isn't selling, it's possible that tweaking the content, navigational tools or other elements will help. But before you decide a paint job is the answer, consult a web developer, who can provide an objective opinion based on quantifiable data.

When is it time to build anew? If your site is broken or outdated, it may be time to tear it down to the studs and start fresh, using all the new wisdom and whirligigs that have become available just in the past five years or so.

In either case, I suggest staying away from the duct tape.

About Joe Thomas

Joe Thomas is the founder and owner of Left Brain Digital (www.leftbraindigital.com), a web development company. He's an award-winning web designer/developer with more than 18 years of experience in print and web design and development. Thomas' work became a major influence in graphic and web design in the "Y2K" era of the Internet's dot-com explosion.

GALESBURG - October 26, 2012. Governor Pat Quinn today joined Illinois Transportation Secretary Ann L. Schneider, local leaders and rail officials to announce the completion of a new $16.1 million Illinois Jobs Now! transportation infrastructure project that will dramatically improve traffic conditions in the area. The new grade separation in Galesburg eliminates the at-grade crossing along Main Street, and creates a new overpass spanning from east of Academy Street to west of Garfield Avenue and over the Burlington Northern and Santa Fe (BNSF) tracks. This collaborative endeavor between the Federal Highway Administration, State of Illinois, City of Galesburg and BSNF created or supported nearly 140 jobs, and is set to reduce traffic congestion and emissions and improve roadway and rail safety in the region. The project is part of Governor Quinn's commitment to modernize Illinois' transportation infrastructure.

"If we want to compete in the global economy, Illinois must have a world-class transportation system," Governor Quinn said. "This grade separation improvement will cut down travel times, alleviate traffic and rail congestion and improve safety in Galesburg for decades to come. Not only did this project boost the regional economy and put hundreds of people back to work, it provides a solid foundation to address traffic demands well into the 21st century."

This grade project separated the current at-grade crossing at the double set of BNSF tracks located on West Main Street by constructing a new roadway overpass for vehicles. The new West Main Street segment also consists of five lane approaches, retaining walls on overpass, new traffic signaling, street lighting and a four-lane bridge deck with additional pedestrian improvements including a safety fence, sidewalks, curb cuts, aesthetics and landscaping. In addition to reducing congestion and auto emissions from idling, the new overpass will also improve capacity and traffic flow, and prevent emergency vehicles from being delayed. Construction on the project started in July 2011.

"Today we proudly stand here to announce the successful, timely and efficient completion of the Main Street Grade Separation project, and we also want to highlight how this joint public-private partnership helped grow the local economy and greatly improve the quality of life for both travelers and residents," Secretary Schneider said. "Thanks to Governor Quinn's Illinois Jobs Now! program, this major grade separation project will undoubtedly decrease current travel times of motorists and rail commuters, improve reliability and boost logistical benefits to local businesses."

Main Street is the second busiest street in Galesburg, with nearly 100 trains utilizing the crossing at speeds of 30 miles per hour each day. Approximately 9,400 vehicles drive on West Main Street each day. Prior to the project, the average time for a vehicle to wait at a train crossing was 4-5 minutes.

"These grade separations will shave commute times and improve safety by completely separating road and rail traffic at busy railroad crossings," said U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL).  "Transportation investment is one of the best ways to spur business development, which is why, in 2010, I secured $2.92 million in federal funding to support this project. Beginning with West Main Street today, these grade separations will allow businesses to more easily move products in and out of the area, making Galesburg a more attractive place to live and work."

"This is the day when a dream of many decades becomes reality," State Representative Don Moffitt (R-Galesburg) said. "Because of the efforts of local, state and federal officials working with citizens of the community, we have built a bridge to the future - a future that improves public safety and increases economic opportunity."

This project received an investment of $14.5 million from Governor Quinn's six-year, $31 billion Illinois Jobs Now! capital construction program. Those funds supported $809,000 from the Federal Highway Administration and $806,150 from BSNF.

Governor Quinn's Illinois Jobs Now! is the largest construction program in state history. Of the $14 billion in the program dedicated for transportation needs, $11.3 billion has been spent on projects that have improved more than 6,600 miles of roads and more than 1,000 bridges, creating approximately 140,000 jobs from highway projects alone.

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