City of Pekin to Receive $4.8 Million Low-Interest Loan to Improve Waste Water Treatment System; Support Almost 400 Jobs

PEKIN - December 4, 2012. Governor Pat Quinn, Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) Director John Kim, and Illinois Finance Authority (IFA) Executive Director Chris Meister today announced that the first loan of the governor's Illinois Clean Water Initiative would be awarded to the city of Pekin to improve a wastewater treatment plant. As part of the governor's $1 billion water infrastructure initiative, the city completed the necessary application and meets the eligibility criteria to qualify for a long-term, low-interest $4.8 million loan, which is being jointly administered by IEPA and the IFA. This project will create or support nearly 400 jobs by improving local water infrastructure.

"Just as Illinois was defined by its waterways, so too was Pekin," Governor Quinn said. "Built by skilled laborers, this new wastewater treatment facility will protect the health of Pekin's residents and its waterways. The project is a prime example of how the Illinois Clean Water Initiative is an investment in our environment, health and the creation of good-paying jobs."

In October, Governor Quinn launched the Illinois Clean Water Initiative to help local governments overhaul aging drinking water and wastewater treatment plants and pipes, and ensure that residents will have access to safe drinking water and that our environment will remain protected. More than 350 local governments have already expressed need for the program. Many Illinois residents are receiving drinking water through water mains that are nearly a century old; and scores of other drinking water and wastewater treatment facilities are in dire need of repair.

The city of Pekin is using the proceeds of this loan to complete phased improvements to its wastewater system that were initiated in 2011. The project cost is nearly $40 million, which utilized previous IEPA loans of $35 million. This major upgrade to Pekin's wastewater system will provide a significant increase in treatment capacity that will improve the ability of the plant to meet current and future discharge standards. A project summary is attached.

"The Clean Water Initiative will benefit Pekin and other communities greatly with improved infrastructure and reduced risk of environmental harm caused by leaking piping," said IEPA Director John Kim.

Governor Quinn proposed the Illinois Clean Water Initiative during his State of the State address, and later this year directed the IEPA and the IFA to move forward to access $1 billion in long-term, low-interest loans to local governments for drinking water and wastewater systems across the state. IEPA has lent $4.3 billion to 472 Illinois communities since 1989. There has never been a defaulted loan during the program's history.

The program provides a substantial increase in the clean water and drinking water low-interest revolving loan programs administered by Illinois EPA. The program provides financing to communities for projects such as wastewater treatment plant upgrades and expansions, new sewer lines, drinking water treatment plant modifications and expansions and new or replacement water distribution systems.

The Pekin Clean Water Initiative will create 190 construction jobs plus approximately 180 associated jobs by equipment suppliers, manufacturers and fabricators, raw material suppliers and fabricators, and utility providers. Pipefitters, plumbers, operating engineers, carpenters, electricians, ironworkers and others will replace broken water mains, build treatment plants, upgrade sewers and prevent environmental threats.

The SRF is funded with annual federal grants, a one-time infusion in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 funds, plus principal and interest from loan repayments. No new state tax dollars will be used. Needed equity will be provided by the existing loan portfolio and future federal capitalization grant dollars.

To learn more about the Illinois Clean Water Initiative, visit CleanWater.Illinois.gov

 ###

Celebrate America Recycles Day by touring Electronic Demanufacturing Facility

Davenport, Iowa ?Don't go "Office Space" on your old computer! Instead, bring it to us?and watch as we tear it apart.

Yes, we're referencing the 1999 comedy, "Office Space," in which a piece of offending office equipment is smashed to bits by an unbalanced cubicle dweller. And yes, we really do want to tear apart your old computer right in front of you?before we recycle its pieces, of course.

In celebration of America Recycles Day, the public is invited to tour the Electronic Demanufacturing Facility, 1048 E. 59th St., Davenport, Iowa, from 1 to 3 p.m., or from 6 to 8 p.m. Nov. 15. Tour-goers are invited to bring their recyclable electronics and watch as technicians demanufacture some of them?the first step in the recycling process.

The free event is being hosted by Waste Commission of Scott County and iLivehere Quad Cities, a local Keep America Beautiful affiliate, which is housed by the Commission. On America Recycles Day, affiliates across the U.S. host activities to educate people about recycling, with the ultimate goal of motivating everyone to recycle more. Details are online at www.americarecyclesday.org.

"This is the first time we have invited residents to watch as we take apart their old electronics," said Keith Krambeck, special waste manager for Waste Commission of Scott County. "We're excited to give tour-goers the opportunity to peek 'behind the curtain,' so to speak. Of course the ultimate goal of showcasing the work that we do is to inspire people to recycle their electronics responsibly, thereby diverting harmful materials from the landfill."

RSVP for the event is required. Residents should call (563) 468-4218 or e-mail Paula Webinger, education specialist, at pwebinger@wastecom.com. Residents are asked to indicate which tour they wish to attend?1-3 or 6-8 p.m.?and the number of attendees in the group. Each tour will be limited to 50 participants.

Individuals are invited to bring their e-waste to the event at no charge. A list of acceptable items is online at www.wastecom.com. The event is not open to businesses, nor will business waste be accepted. Information about business recycling also is online at www.wastecom.com.

Can't make it to the event, but have e-waste? No problem! Residents of Scott (Iowa) and Rock Island (Illinois) counties may drop off e-waste any time during regular facility hours (7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Friday) at no charge. Bettendorf and Davenport residents with curbside collection may place e-waste at the curb as bulky waste on their recycling days.

The Electronic Demanufacturing Facility, operated by Waste Commission of Scott County, provides residents and businesses throughout Iowa and Western Illinois an environmentally sound and economically feasible disposal option for electronic waste (e-waste). Earlier this year, the facility became the first public agency in the world and the only agency in the state of
Iowa to receive Responsible Recycling (R2) certification.

Waste Commission of Scott County is an inter-governmental agency established in 1972 to provide solid waste management services for Scott County, Iowa.

For more information about the Electronic Demanufacturing Facility or about recycling e-waste, call (563) 823-0119 or visit www.wastecom.com.

# # #

No. 1 Best Investment is a Generator, He Says
By: Louis Scatigna

I live in Jackson, N.J., about 10 miles inland, and did not get the devastating storm surge from Hurricane Sandy. And yet, I have never experienced such a catastrophic weather event.

High winds brought down thousands of trees, taking out power lines and crashing into homes. The destruction here is something I never imagined I would see.

The Mantoloking Bridge, where the sea came into the bay, is where I crab all summer. It's now crumpled in the water, surrounded by flooded homes. It's heartbreaking to see images of the place you love destroyed.

Since most homes did not have power or internet immediately after the storm, we did not get to see the images of ravaged iconic Jersey Shore towns like Seaside Heights, Point Pleasant, Manasquan, Mantoloking, Atlantic City and Asbury Park. Local residents are shocked at the extent of the devastation revealed in newspaper photos. Entire shore towns are gone; there is nothing left.

People are starting to lose it by the day; they've never gone so long without power. People in New York are eating from Dumpsters. The lines for gas, if you can find it, are miles long. A few more days like this and I worry civilization will start to break down.

Thankfully, my family is OK. I'm nutty about preparation, so we have everything we need. It is so important to be prepared for disaster.

Since I had a generator and plenty of fuel, the loss of power was tolerable. I was able to run my refrigerator and freezer, charge my cell phone and iPad, light my house and watch DVDs on the flat screen. The biggest complaint from those without generators has been boredom.

My 4G iPad was a lifesaver. I was able to tune into local radio stations and keep up with the news; view pictures and videos of the devastation; and play games to pass the time.

Water is worth its weight in gold during a crisis, you can never have too much. Canned food, candles, flashlights and batteries are other must-have prep items.

It is very difficult to get gasoline as many stations have no power or have not had any gas delivered. There are mile-long lines at the stations that do have power and gas. The traffic around them is incredible -- it's a wild scene!

Why did so many people have so little gas that they would line up for hours to fill their tank? Because they did not prepare for the major disaster that had been forecast for the greater part of a week. My three cars are all full because I filled up BEFORE the storm.

The Jersey Shore will come back, but it will take a very long time. I feel a profound sadness seeing the beautiful shore destroyed and witnessing the suffering of those who have lost everything.

Please use this tragedy to prepare your family for disaster natural or man made. The best investment you can make is a generator. Buy one BEFORE a crisis hits.

About Louis Scatigna

Louis Scatigna is a Certified Financial Planner, national radio talk show host and author of The Financial Physician: How To Cure Your Money Problems and Boost Your Financial Health (www.thefinancialphysician.com). Lou is a regular guest on both national and local television programs and has been quoted in hundreds of publications and Web sites. He also provides additional comments and advice on his daily blog.

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

###