Illinois e-News Release


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 26, 2024

Contact: Kim Biggs
[email protected]
217-558-1536

Illinois EPA Provides Over $32 Million in Zero Percent Interest Loans to Six Communities to Replace Lead Service Lines

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois EPA Interim Director James Jennings today announced $32,427,103 in funding that was approved for six individual communities to replace lead service lines during the last quarter of State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2024. The funding is provided through the Illinois EPA’s State Revolving Fund (SRF), which provides low-interest loan funding for drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater projects. The funding for each of these awards is being provided as zero percent interest loans, so the communities will not incur any interest fees while the loans are being repaid.

 

“Illinois EPA is proud to partner with these communities as they work to remove lead service lines from their distribution systems,” said Interim Director Jennings. “Our robust State Revolving Fund provides communities the essential funding needed to remove these lead services lines sooner, eliminating the potential threat of lead in drinking water.”

 

Lead is a toxic metal that can accumulate in the body over time. Lead can enter drinking water when corrosion of pipes and/or fixtures occurs. Service lines are small pipes that carry drinking water from water mains into homes. Many homes built prior to 1990 may have lead service lines or lead containing plumbing fixtures or faucets. Eliminating lead service lines in homes will help to reduce lead exposure for residents. For resources on lead in your home, visit: https://epa.illinois.gov/general-information/in-your-home/resources-on-lead.html.

 

In SFY 2017-2023, under the Water Infrastructure Fund Transfer Act allotment, the Illinois EPA provided $122 million in funding for Lead Service Line Replacement (LSLR) for projects directly related to activities that reduce or eliminate lead from potable water. Previously in SFY 2024, Illinois EPA has awarded over $13 million in LSLR funding through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. To learn more about Illinois EPA’s SRF, visit https://epa.illinois.gov/topics/grants-loans/state-revolving-fund.html.

 

A complete list of the communities receiving zero percent interest loans for LSLR is attached.

 

County

Recipient

Description

Amount

Cook

Village of Brookfield

The Village will replace approximately 685 lead service lines.

$8,528,336

Cook

Village of Lincolnwood

The Village will replace approximately 27 lead service lines.

$239,249

Cook and Kane

City of Elgin

The City will replace approximately 850 lead service lines.

$11,134,011

Kane

City of Batavia

The City will replace approximately 150 lead service lines.  This is Phase 2 of lead service line replacement.

$4,500,000

Lake

City of Waukegan

The City will replace approximately 400 lead service lines.

$4,025,506

Winnebago

City of Rockford

The City will replace approximately 960 lead service lines.  This is Phase 6 of a multi-phased project. 

$4,000,000

 

 

TOTAL

$32,427,103



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