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U.S. EPA announces $1.4 million for Illinois brownfields

Release Date: 5/11/2005
Contact Information:

CONTACT: (EPA) Mick Hans, (312) 353-5050

For Immediate Release
No. 05-OPA065

CHICAGO (May 11, 2005) — U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has awarded $1.4 million to four different communities and government consortiums to help address brownfield sites in Illinois. Brownfields are abandoned or under-utilized properties where the stigma of possible pollution or a lack of solid technical information has discouraged redevelopment.

"EPA's Brownfields program puts both property and people back to work," said Region 5 Acting Administrator Bharat Mathur. "The grants we're awarding today to Illinois communities can convert eyesores into engines of economic rebirth."

Nationally, EPA announced $75.9 million in grants. A total of 218 applicants, including three tribal nations, were selected to receive 291 grants. One category of grants provides funds to evaluate contaminated properties. Another category provides funds to do cleanup work. Eleven other applicants around the country will receive job training grants.

Grant recipients in Illinois:

• Chicago Heights: $200,000 to perform site assessments and conduct community outreach activities throughout the city.
• Rock Falls: $600,000 (three grants) for site assessment, developing cleanup plans and community involvement activities in the Rock Falls Riverfront Redevelopment Area; and for cleaning up and community outreach activities associated with the abandoned Reliant Fastener Co. site on Second Street and the former Northwestern Steel and Wire Co. area on Fifth Avenue, both of which may contain stored fuels, oil, solvents and other hazardous materials used for industrial activities.
• Rockford: $400,000 (two grants) for conducting site assessments within the central business district and Rock River Corridor as well as developing cleanup plans and conducting community involvement activities; and also for conducting site assessments of abandoned gas stations and petroleum-contaminated properties along South Main and West State streets.
• Stephenson County: $200,000 for a hazardous substances assessment and cleanup planning in Lancaster Township, rural Lena and the Stephenson County Economic Development Project Area as well as community outreach activities and health and safety planning in those areas.