Pritzker Administration Awards $195,500 in Rebuild Illinois Capital Funding to the City of Monmouth to Address Stormwater Runoff

Press Release

Illinois Environmental Protection Agency Director John Kim announced the City of Monmouth, in partnership with the Monmouth School District, will receive $195,500 in Green Infrastructure Grant Opportunity (GIGO) funding to implement the Monmouth High School Parking Lot Bioretention Basin Retrofit project. The project, made possible through funding from Governor Pritzker's bipartisan Rebuild Illinois capital plan, will retrofit the existing 2.8-acre high school parking lot with four bioretention basins to capture stormwater runoff, keeping it from entering the surrounding neighborhoods.

"Protecting Illinois communities and businesses from persistent flooding and water damage is a top priority for my administration which is why the Rebuild Illinois capital plan has funding specifically dedicated to green infrastructure initiatives," said Governor JB Pritzker. "Through the Bioretention Basin Retrofit project, the residents of Monmouth will have increased protection against excess stormwater and peace of mind that their homes and families are safe."

This project was identified by the community for a green infrastructure retrofit due to the large expanse of impervious surface and the associated opportunity for water quality improvement and groundwater infiltration. The project will channel rainfall and snowmelt from the parking lot into its bioretention basins. The basins keep the rainwater close to where it falls.

The total project budget is $230,000, with Illinois EPA providing $195,500 in grant funds and the City providing $34,500 in matching funds.

"This will be the first major green infrastructure project for the City and will set the stage for them to identify additional projects in association with ongoing street improvement projects," said Director Kim. "The City proposed to retrofit the parking lot instead of a total replacement. The retrofit will cost less and still provide the needed benefits to help protect the local residential and downtown area and nearby Markham Creek."

"The importance of this project to the community cannot be overstated as the City continues to strive to be stewards of the environment," said Andy Jackson, Director of Public Works, City of Monmouth/Woodard Curran. "Utilizing these new green technologies that offer opportunities for education, environmental improvement, and potential cost savings to the residents of the City provides a technically sound, green, and economical solution to an important issue."

"Retrofitting the Monmouth High School parking lot with bioretention basins not only addresses the stormwater runoff, it does so in a cost-efficient manner that is also good for the environment," said State Sen. Jil Tracy (R-Quincy). "This project is a great example of what can be accomplished when local and state governments work together to find solutions for problematic issues. "

The GIGO Grant Program is a competitive financial assistance grant program established to help protect Illinois' water resources. The GIGO Program is funded through the Rebuild Illinois Capital Plan. The funds are used to implement green infrastructure best management practices to control stormwater runoff. Stormwater runoff causes flooding and carries pollutants into waterways such as rivers, streams, lakes, wetlands, and groundwater.

For additional information on Illinois' Green Infrastructure Grant Opportunities Grant Program, please visit https://www2.illinois.gov/epa/topics/water-quality/surface-water/Pages/green-infrastructure.aspx .

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