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

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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

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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

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