IL lawmaker urges governor to send promised money for Cahokia Heights sewer repairs
State Rep. Kevin Schmidt on Wednesday announced he sent a letter urging Gov. J.B. Pritzker to give Cahokia Heights the money he promised in August for sewer repairs.
“The situation in Cahokia Heights is getting worse every day,” Schmidt stated in a news release. “Whenever it rains, the community has to deal with sewer smell and possible water contamination. Addressing these issues cannot wait.”
The request comes after the Belleville News-Democrat reported this week that Cahokia Heights had not received state and federal money to fix failing infrastructure that for years has caused raw sewage to back up in some residents’ homes and yards and stormwater to flood their streets.
Among the funding was a $9.9 million state grant for sewer repairs that the governor said would be “delivered today” during an Aug. 3 news conference.
But the money comes with oversight measures that require Cahokia Heights to submit proposals and allow other agencies to have input and sign off on the plans, which takes time. The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency is overseeing the $9.9 million grant.
Pritzker’s office said in a statement Wednesday that Aug. 3’s announcement was the first step in a required process.
“It’s important that the applications for grant funds for projects go through the required review process to ensure taxpayer dollars are being used appropriately,” Pritzker’s office stated.
Lawyers Nicole Nelson and Kalila Jackson are representing residents affected by the problems in a pair of lawsuits against local officials and other entities. They say the oversight measures attached to the funding are critical, even if it means it takes longer for work to get started, because it ensures the money is used effectively.
Local, state and federal officials have been working to find funding since media coverage and lawsuits starting in 2020 detailed the impact the issue was having on residents.
Schmidt, R-Millstadt, is a new representative for Cahokia Heights in House District 114. He defeated LaToya Greenwood, a Democrat from East St. Louis, in the Nov. 8 election.
“The governor promised to send the money right away, but the funds still have not been released,” Schmidt stated in his news release. “The people of Cahokia Heights thought they were well on their way to getting the help they needed. Was this yet another hollow election year promise or is the governor really going to deliver on the funds he promised Cahokia Heights? He made a promise, and it is time for him to keep it.”
Sending the letter to the governor is one of the first steps Schmidt has taken as a freshman lawmaker since his swearing in a week ago.
“Kevin ran on being an accessible and accountable citizen legislator, and he’s living up to that promise,” Schmidt spokesman Travis Akin said in an interview Wednesday. “His responsibility is to make sure the needs of the district are being met.”
State Rep. Kevin Schmidt’s full letter to governor
Schmidt shared the following letter Wednesday in a news release:
“Dear Governor JB Pritzker,
On August 3rd, 2022, you visited Cahokia Heights to announce a $9.9 million state grant for sewer repairs in Cahokia Heights.
According to a press release from your office, ‘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.’
During your remarks you indicated the grant would be ‘delivered today’ but as of January of 2023 none of the promised grant money has been delivered.
The situation in Cahokia Heights is an emergency as any time there are heavy rains the community experiences a sewer backup that not only produces an unpleasant smell, but also represents a significant health hazard as well.
You were correct when you told Cahokia Heights residents that no community should have to live without a ‘functional waste infrastructure.’
The people of Cahokia Heights took you at your word and have put plans in motion to resolve their water and sewer problems. The future of these plans hinges on getting the money you promised to them during the 2022 campaign. I urge you to please honor your commitment to the people of Cahokia Heights and release the money you promised to give them.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Kevin Schmidt
State Representative 114th District”
Governor’s statement about funding
Pritzker’s office shared the following statement Wednesday with the BND:
“The Governor’s announcement that the funding was released was the first step in grant agreement process that must be followed in order to utilize state funds. Part of that process requires the city to complete necessary steps to ensure effective use of funds for a long-term solution. It’s important that the applications for grant funds for projects go through the required review process to ensure taxpayer dollars are being used appropriately. IEPA’s review of the agreements, as well as the Constriction Activities and Outreach Program Strategies that the grant agreement requires the City to produce, are ongoing and the agency hopes to move forward with next steps in the coming weeks.”
This story was originally published January 18, 2023 at 10:35 AM.
