Sorensen Advocates for Illinois River Infrastructure, Access to Clean Drinking Water
Sorensen Urges Support for Farmers and Upgrades to Local Drinking Water Infrastructure
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Eric Sorensen (IL-17) spoke before the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure to support upgrades to Mississippi and Illinois Rivers’ navigation infrastructure and call for improved clean drinking water and wastewater infrastructure for Illinois families.
“I am proud to represent the 17th district of Illinois. My district sits along the upper Mississippi River and is home to dozens of agricultural communities that depend on the Mississippi to move their goods to market,” Sorensen said in his remarks before the Committee.
“My district is home to dozens of drinking water and wastewater agencies that serve the people of Central and Northwestern Illinois. These agencies are in need of funding to support necessary upgrades and repairs on their systems to protect the communities they serve,” Sorensen continued.
You can view Congressman Sorensen’s full remarks before the Committee here.
The Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) is one of the best opportunities for the federal government to respond to disasters, protect waterways, and support clean water and healthy ecosystems.
Sorensen testified before the committee to urge that the package include language to support the Navigation and Ecosystem Sustainability Program (NESP), a program to upgrade river infrastructure that will get farmers’ agriculture goods to market faster and support Illinois’ local economies. The testimony comes after Sorensen and colleagues secured $75 million for the project in a FY2024 House Energy and Water Appropriations bill.
Sorensen also brought attention to local projects he requested in WRDA to improve clean drinking water access and strengthen wastewater infrastructure for communities in Central and Northwestern Illinois. Sorensen is requesting these upgrades in German Valley, Savanna, and more.
Congressman Eric Sorensen serves on the House Committee on Agriculture and the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. Prior to serving in Congress, Sorensen was a local meteorologist in Rockford and the Quad Cities for nearly 20 years. His district includes Illinois’ Quad Cities, Rockford, Peoria, and Bloomington-Normal.
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