ICYMI: US Rep. Robin Kelly and EPA highlights federal funding for lead service line replacement in Hazel Crest, Illinois
Hazel Crest, III — On Thursday, Congresswoman Robin Kelly (IL-02) highlighted federal and state funding to help Hazel Crest, Illinois, identify and replace lead service lines, ultimately preventing exposure to lead in drinking water. She joined U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 5 Administrator Debra Shore, Mayor Vernard L. Alsberry Jr., First Assistant Deputy Governor Shareese Pryor, and Illinois EPA Director John Kim.
The Village of Hazel Crest is one of 123 inaugural partners in the White House’s Get the Lead Out initiative, announced in January 2023. The Village approved a resolution to remove all 2,700 lead service lines within Hazel Crest, while prioritizing its most vulnerable residents in its lead pipe replacement plan. Funding received by Hazel Crest was made possible, in part, by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Recently, EPA announced more than $240 million in additional funding for projects throughout Illinois, including Hazel Crest. This funding builds on the Biden Administration’s Lead Pipe and Paint Action Plan and EPA’s Get the Lead Out Initiative.
“I was delighted to present $240 million in federal funding coming to Illinois to help advance lead service line replacement efforts in Hazel Crest,” said Rep. Robin Kelly. “Thanks to President Joe Biden’s agenda to Invest in America, we can ensure our kids are drinking clean water. Replacing our nation’s aging water infrastructure is not just a matter of convenience – it is a necessity for communities and families to thrive.”
“For far too long, our country has underinvested in our nation’s drinking water infrastructure,” said EPA Region 5 Administrator Debra Shore. “Thanks to the Biden Administration’s Investing in America agenda, the United States is allocating a historic $50 billion in our nation’s water infrastructure, including lead service line replacements, to ensure clean, safe, reliable drinking water for every American.”
“I take pride in Hazel Crest being one of the 123 inaugural partners of President Joe Biden’s “Get The Lead Out” initiative and we look forward to removing all identified, lead service lines in the village,” said Mayor Vernard L. Alsberry Jr. “This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to restore the infrastructure and foundation of the Village of Hazel Crest to ensure our residents have access to safe water.”
“Every community in Illinois deserves access to safe, clean drinking water—regardless of where they live,” said First Assistant Deputy Governor Shareese Pryor. “Today’s event not only demonstrates President Biden’s commitment to improving the lives of our most vulnerable residents, but it also highlights the infusion of federal funding Illinois received to equitably identify and replace lead pipes statewide.”
“Lead service lines are a major obstacle for community water supplies in Illinois, and Hazel Crest joins many of our communities in pursuing funding opportunities like these to help with the cost of removing the threat of lead in drinking water for their residents,” said Illinois EPA Director John J. Kim. “This assistance from the Get the Lead Out initiative along with funding from Illinois EPA through our robust State Revolving Fund will help to provide critical funding to prioritized disadvantaged communities that might have no other resources to take on this challenge.”
###