Durbin Talks Illinois Water Infrastructure Projects With Chicago Army Corps District Commander

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) Chicago District Commander Colonel Kenneth P. Rockwell to receive an update on several northern Illinois infrastructure projects. Durbin and Colonel Rockwell spoke about the operation and maintenance of the Chicago Harbor Lock, which is the second busiest Corps lock in the country with around-the-clock operations for commercial towboat and deep draft barges, government, passenger, and recreational vessels.

Durbin also received an update on the Calumet Harbor Combined Disposal Facility (CDF) tasked with storing and dredging toxic sediment from the Calumet Harbor and the Cal-Sag Channel. Durbin encouraged the Corps to continue working with the Chicago South East Side community to expand the CDF's operations, protecting public health and Lake Michigan's ecosystem.

"The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Chicago District heads up some of the most critical infrastructure projects in Northern Illinois," Durbin said. "Today, I spoke with Colonel Rockwell about how the federal government can best support the Army Corps of Engineers' efforts to protect our natural resources and protect public health for those in the Chicago area."

Photos of the meeting are available here.

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