MARK STEVEN KIRK
10TH DISTRICT, ILLINOIS
COMMITTEE ON
APPROPRIATIONS
SUBCOMMITTEES
STATE, FOREIGN OPERATIONS, AND
RELATED AGENCIES
FINANCIAL SERVICES AND
GENERAL GOVERNMENT
Comm of the Elniteb g§tates5
jiioufte of Repres5entatibe5
Ealatibington, 3C
20515-1310
WASULNUTON OFFICE:
1030
LONGWGRTH HOUSE OFFICE BUILDING
WASHINGTON,
DC 20515
1202) 225-4835
FAX: 1202) 225-0837
www.house.gov/kirk
NUBILIDE201501fiCE
707
SKOKIE BLVD, SUITE
350
NORTHBROOK,
IL 60062
1897) 990-0202
FAX' 1847) 940-7143
June 24, 2008
RECEIVED
CLERK'S OFFICE
WAUaN_QFEICE
20 SOUTH MARTIN LUTHER KING DRIVE
WAUKEGAN, IL 60085
(847) 662-0101
FAX, 1847) 662-7519
Y
I
N
2 7 2008
STATE OF ILLINOIS
Pollution Control Board
John Therrianit, Assistant Clerk
Illinois Pollution Control Board
100 West Randolph Street, Suite 11-500
Chicago, IL 60601
Re: Rule Making R08-009
Dear Illinois Pollution Control Board:
As the Representative for the 10 th
Congressional District, I am writing in support of the
recommended water quality standard improvements proposed by the Illinois
Environmental Protection Agency for the Chicago Area Waterways (CAWS) and Lower
Des Plaines River as rule R08-009.
The Sierra Legal Defense Fund estimates that 24 billion gallons of sewage are dumped
into the great lakes each year. In my own district, there were 118 instances of
contamination exceeding health standards, affecting 52 percent of our beaches in 2006.
We know the damage this type of pollution can cause.
Chicago is the only major city that does not disinfect its sewage. As a strong advocate
for the environment and public health, I support the proposed rule which would improve
aquatic life and enhance water quality — two worthy goals. With pregnant women, young
children, and the elderly more susceptible to viral and bacteriological pathogens
contained in the sewage, these changes are essential.
I applaud the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District for all of their hard work in
protecting the cities water quality. I fully support this needed project and support the
rule's swift adoption.
Mark Steven Kirk
Member of Congress
PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER