Illinois e-News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2025

Media contact: [email protected]

CHICAGO – The State of Illinois has closed on the acquisition of two small upland parcels of property in Will County needed for the Brandon Road Interbasin Project, a federal initiative designed to prevent invasive carp from accessing the Great Lakes.

The parcels, totaling 2.75 acres, were donated to the state by Midwest Generation LLC. 

On May 23, the State of Illinois closed on a nearly 50-acre parcel of land, including riverbed access, that was needed for the project. That parcel, too, was donated to the state by Midwest Generation.

“Closing on another key piece of property for the Brandon Road Interbasin Project moves us another step closer toward completion of this important project,” said Natalie Phelps Finnie, director of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. “I want to thank Midwest Generation again for its cooperation and patience in working with us to achieve this goal.”

“Midwest Generation recognizes the importance of this project, and we are very pleased to have been able to work closely with the IDNR to facilitate the transfer of the parcel of land necessary for the project to get underway,” said Brad Kranz, president of Midwest Generation. “We’re proud to be a part of this exciting partnership.”

Illinois has long played a leading role in advancing the Brandon Road project. Through responsible investment and diligent collaboration with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and other Great Lakes partners, including the State of Michigan, Illinois has facilitated project design and construction progress while ensuring Illinois taxpayers do not carry the entire burden of a project that benefits the entire region and beyond. 

“The Great Lakes are an incredibly important resource shared by eight U.S. states and two Canadian provinces, with a fishery worth over $5 billion. The Great Lakes St. Lawrence Governors & Premiers applaud this important step in protecting our waters and our citizens from the potential devastation of invasive carp,” said David Naftzger, executive director of the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Governors & Premiers.

Under the Biden administration, Congress appropriated $225 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for the Brandon Road project, and Illinois secured an agreement on federal cost sharing that would significantly lower operation and maintenance costs and save Illinois taxpayers millions.