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County Office:

118 N. Clark St., Room 567

Chicago, IL 60602

Phone: (312) 603-4210

Fax: (312) 603-3695

E-Mail: CommQuigleyOthol.com

District Office:

1057 W. Belmont Ave.

Chicago, IL 60657

Phone: (773) 935-1010

Fax: (773) 935-3155

www.CommissionerQuigley.com

Commissioner — 10th District

Cook County Board of Commissioners

June 16, 2008

Mr. John Therriault

Assistant Clerk

Illinois Pollution Control Board

100 West Randolph, Suite 11-500

Chicago, Illinois 60601

Re: Rulemaking 2008-009

Dear Members of the Illinois Pollution Control Board,

write in support of the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency's proposed

water quality improvements for the Chicago Area Waterways (CAWS) and Lower

Des Plaines River. Cleanup efforts have significantly improved the river's health

and water quality in recent decades, and the additional measures proposed by

IEPA will not only benefit the flora and fauna which inhabit the ecosystem, but

also the residents of the region who enjoy the natural amenities and recreational

opportunities the waterways provide. The proposed improvements are a vital step

in protecting and improving the health of the waterways and ecosystems that

hold in trust for future generations.

In addition, as a Commissioner of the Forest Preserve District of Cook County, I

share responsibility for maintaining and restoring the preserves "in their natural

state and condition, for the purpose of the education, pleasure, and recreation of

the public," as our statutory mission requires. The IPCB should require that the

effluent released into the Chicago Area Waterways and Lower Des Plaines River

ecosystems (including the vast majority of the Forest

Preserve

District's 68,000

acres) is free of harmful microorganisms. In doing so, the IPCB will not only

protect public health and a vital natural resource, but also assist the District in

fulfilling its statutory mission.

Committees of the County Board. Chair:

Environmental Control, Human Relations, Vice-Chair: Litigation

Committees of the Forest Preserve District. Chair:

Environmental Control, Finance.

Vice-Chair:

Audit, Litigation

Primed on Recycled Paper

June 16, 2008

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I also believe that all residents of Chicago should insist that clean effluent is

released into the waterways because of the privilege the city enjoys in using Lake

Michigan water and discharging it via the Chicago River—which, thanks to the

engineering efforts of previous generations, drains to a different watershed. If we

do not demonstrate to our Great Lakes neighbors that we do not take that

historical exception to good environmental practice for granted, we may be

challenged on our use of Lake Michigan water in the future.

Thank you for your consideration.

Yours sincerely,

Mike Quigley

Cook County Commissioner, 10'h

District

Commissioner, Forest Preserve District of Cook County, 10`

h District

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