Federal funds help Illinois QC projects
U.S. Rep. Eric Sorensen (IL-17) has secured over $123 million in tax dollars for infrastructure projects in Western Illinois, including Rock Island, Moline and Monmouth.
“Western Illinois is a special place, and it is my job to make sure my neighbors can live and grow a family in communities that are sustainable for future generations. One of the ways I can make sure that happens is by bringing tax dollars back home to support middle-class families,” Sorensen said in a recent release. “By working across the aisle, I was able to secure over $123 million for Western Illinois to upgrade our river infrastructure to grow our economy, fix broken roads, and help ensure that when you turn on the faucet, you have access to clean drinking water.
“I am grateful to our local partners who helped advocate for these investments that will have a positive impact on the lives of so many of our neighbors.”
The projects Sorensen secured for Western Illinois communities include:
- Road Improvements in Rock Island — $1,466,279 in the FY2024 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations bill will give the city of Rock Island the funding it needs to reconstruct the 35th Street West & Centennial Expressway (Illinois 92) intersection using a safer, more modern street re-design.
The project, including a new roundabout at the intersection, will improve motorist and pedestrian safety in the area.
“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. “This will help us market this area for further development. I thank Congressman Sorensen for assisting with this project.”
- Lead Service Lines Replacement in Moline — Illinois’ 17th Congressional District has one of the highest percentages of lead pipes of any district in the country, which is why Sorensen successfully fought for and passed $500,000 for Moline to replace an estimated 70 service lines on 15th Street between 16th Avenue and 20th Avenue.
This investment allows the city to achieve more equitable drinking water access for families, the release said. This funding will contribute to ensuring Moline residents have access to clean, safe drinking water.
“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,” said Moline Mayor Sangeetha Rayapati. “We are happy to be able to access funding that benefits the health and safety of our residents in such an important way.”
- Lead Service Lines Replacement for Monmouth — $959,752 for Monmouth to replace lead service lines. This investment allows the community to achieve more equitable and safe drinking water access for families.
“The proactive support from U.S. Congressman Sorensen, securing a significant allocation of $959,752 by the House Appropriation Interior Subcommittee for City of Monmouth for the replacement of lead water service lines in the community is a meaningful and far-reaching first step in addressing this water quality challenge for Monmouth residents,” Monmouth Mayor Rod Davies said.
The city estimates $8 to $9 million total cost of replacing all lead water service lines connected to the Monmouth municipal water distribution system. 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.
“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,” Davies added.