Pritzker announces IL grant to help fix “notorious” overflowing sewers in Cahokia Heights
Cahokia Heights will receive nearly $10 million immediately from the state government to help fix the failed sewer system in the city, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced Wednesday.
The $9.9 million grant is part of more than $21 million in state funding earmarked for improving infrastructure in Cahokia Heights, the governor’s office said.
In making the announcement at a news conference in Cahokia Heights, Pritzker said residents have lived too long with sewer system problems that have flooded neighborhoods during heavy rains.
He said the grant “will upgrade the existing wastewater collection system and prevent the sewage flooding that has become notorious for area residents.”
Pritzker said no community should have to live without a “functional waste infrastructure. “
“This $10 million grant is another step toward justice for Cahokia Heights families and residents,” Pritzker said.
A follow-up announcement from Pritzker’s office included details about the rehab work. “The funding announced today includes a $9.9 million investment in rehabilitation or replacement for approximately 35 lift stations, 5,800 feet of cured-in-place pipe (CIPP) liner (including 1,500 feet of sewer line repair), and 3,500 feet of slip lining for the City’s main trunk line,” the announcement states.
The city will work with the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency on the improvement project.
“The City will also use this grant funding to modify the wastewater collection system, where many components of the system have exceeded their useful design life,” the announcement states. “ These updates will improve collection efficiency, reliability, and ease of operation and maintenance, helping to prevent flood water from entering the sewer collection system during storm events and relieving stress on the system.”
The state’s $46 billion budget for the fiscal year that began July 1 includes over $20 million for water and sewer infrastructure improvements for Cahokia Heights.
Mayor Curtis McCall Sr. said it could take three to five years before this project is completely finished.
“But I’ve been told that our residents will start seeing tremendous progress in as early as two months,” he said, because there will be repairs to the lift stations that help channel sewage to the wastewater treatment plant.
For years, residents in at least 54 homes in the 4.29 square-mile area of the former north Centreville community have struggled with flash flooding and raw sewage in yards and homes that does not drain away. The community is now part of the new city of Cahokia Heights, formed last year by the merger of Centreville, Cahokia and Alorton.
Many have complained that the local, state and federal governments have failed to provide relief, even though the problems have been around for decades. The failed infrastructure and long-time neglect by government agencies have made it almost impossible to live there, they said.
McCall has pledged to residents of the state’s newest city that fixing the infrastructure issues that have led to the flooding and questions about the drinking water is his top priority.
In June, he said the city is about to make more progress with new state and federal funding on its way.
“We have identified over $35 million to address our water and sewer problem, something that has plagued this community for over 70 years,” McCall said. “I’ve lived in this community all my life. I’m 60 years old, and this problem has plagued this community since I’ve been alive. We’re finally about to address this problem for these cities. It takes a team approach. It takes local government, it takes county government, state government and federal government.”
The flooding and sewer problem has spurred two lawsuits filed on behalf of residents against local governments and a public utility, along with visits by Pritzker, U.S. Sens. Tammy Duckworth and Dick Durbin. McCall is listed as a defendant on one of the lawsuits.
Residents have also complained about poor communication between local, state and federal officials and the public. Pritzker’s announcement today seems to acknowledge those issues, addressing the need for communication.
“As part of the grant agreement, the City will provide regular updates to the community, including a webpage and regularly scheduled meetings, held by the City, to keep all interested parties informed,” the announcement states.
In their remarks at Wednesday’s news conference in Cahokia Heights, Pritzker and McCall acknowledged the efforts by Duckworth, state Sen. Christopher Belt, D-Swansea, state Rep. LaToya Greenwood, D-East St. Louis, and state Rep. Jay Hoffman, D-Swansea, to get state and federal money for infrastructure in Cahokia Heights.
“Without your commitment, your dedication to securing the funding for this project, we wouldn’t be here today,” McCall said of the support of elected officials. “Your fight for marginalized communities such as Cahokia Heights has not gone unnoticed.”
“Governor, you have shown the citizens of Cahokia Heights and the citizens throughout the citizens of Illinois, that not only are you a fighter for social justice, but you are also a fighter for environmental justice.”
Belt said he has firsthand knowledge of why the improvements are needed. He grew up in the Golden Gardens community of the former Centreville which is now part of Cahokia Heights.
He said residents would dread when there were days with heavy rain and they had to get “used to” the flooding.
“The stench of sewer backup, I grew up with it,” Belt said.
This story was originally published August 3, 2022 at 10:21 AM.