MWRD, Senator Dick Durbin, IL Gov. JB Pritzker, Village of Robbins, Cook County celebrate progress on infrastructure project

November 5, 2024

MWRD President Kari K. Steele prepares to cut the ceremonial ribbon with U.S. Senator Dick Durbin on her left and IL Gov. JB Pritzker on her right. They were joined by (far left) MWRD Commissioner Precious Brady-Davis, MWRD Commissioner Yumeka Brown, MWRD Commissioner Dan Pogorzelski, MWRD Commissioner Eira Corral Sepúlveda, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, MWRD Vice President Patricia Theresa Flynn, Robbins Mayor Darren E. Bryant, and the Robbins Board of Trustees on Oct. 31, 2024, for a ribbon cutting ceremony at the Robbins Heritage Park and Midlothian Creek Restoration Project.

In a landmark moment for stormwater resilience and green infrastructure in Illinois, the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD) and Village of Robbins celebrated the completion of the first phase of the Robbins Heritage Park and Midlothian Creek Restoration Project and kickoff of the second and final phase of work to help address overbank flooding through a new stormwater retention park and pond, along with improvements to Midlothian Creek.

U.S. Senator Dick Durbin, IL Governor JB Pritzker, Robbins Mayor Darren E. Bryant and village trustees, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and Acting IL EPA Director James Jennings joined MWRD President Kari K. Steele, MWRD Vice President Patricia Theresa Flynn, and MWRD Commissioners Yumeka Brown, Precious Brady-Davis, Eira Corral Sepúlveda and Dan Pogorzelski for a ribbon-cutting ceremony on October 31. To watch the ceremony, visit the MWRD's YouTube Channel.

MWRD President Kari K. Steele highlighted the collaborative efforts that brought this vital project to fruition and thanked Senator Durbin for his diligence to secure funding.

"What began as an initiative to address flooding in 2014 has evolved into a transformative effort to enhance recreational amenities, promote economic development, and improve environmental conditions in the community," said President Steele. "On behalf of all of our communities, thank you, Senator Durbin, for your leadership and tireless efforts to protect our citizens and improve the quality of life for residents of Robbins and thank you to all who contributed to bring this project to its next phase towards completion, including our state and local partners."

Sen. Durbin reflected on the nearly $40 million in federal reimbursement secured for MWRD's work on the Thornton Reservoir and the ongoing efforts to obtain additional funding for the Robbins project. He is working to secure $50 million in the Army Corps of Engineers FY 2025 Work Plan to complete the Robbins Project and to fund stormwater management projects in six disadvantaged communities. This is in addition to providing matching funds for FEMA flood mitigation projects in areas hit hard by two 2023 storms that were both designated as Presidential Disaster Declarations.

Governor JB Pritzker discussed the role of the MWRD and support of the federal and state governments in creating a resilient Robbins and Cook County.

"The completion of the first phase of this flood reduction project is something to celebrate," said Sen. Durbin. "This project will mitigate floods through an overflow channel and trail space that connects Robbins to the Cal-Sag Channel, promote green infrastructure, improve local water quality, add hiking and biking trails, and open park space for the residents of Robbins. I will continue working with MWRD, the project partners, and the Illinois Congressional Delegation to ensure that MWRD receives the reimbursement it is owed to complete these important projects."

"Restorations like these are the unseen but vitally important projects that protect our communities from harm, save taxpayers money, and create economic opportunity - the projects that really embody what public service is all about," said Governor Pritzker. "This investment is not only mitigating long-term flooding and drainage issues, it is creating an opportunity to restore the long-term environmental health of the region and bringing economic and recreational development to the area. We're moving past the era of temporary repairs, quick fixes, and patching up mistakes, and investing in sustainable, long-term solutions. That is what our communities need and deserve."

The second phase of the project was also launched, and it will feature a stormwater pond with a holding capacity of over nine million gallons, surrounded by natural green space. Additional plans include constructing rain gardens and vegetated swales to absorb stormwater, further enhancing the community's resilience against flooding.

"This $23 million stormwater park is a transformative milestone for our Village, addressing critical flood relief while creating vibrant community spaces that will serve our residents for generations to come. This project not only provides practical solutions to longstanding flooding issues but also offers opportunities to grow our local economy through recreational and entertainment ventures. Thanks to the unwavering support of the MWRD, the Governor's Office, Cook County, and all our dedicated partners, we are taking a major step toward a safer, stronger, and more resilient future for our community," said Village of Robbins Mayor Darren Bryant.

The project has been made possible thanks to the generous support of Cook County via Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery funds, the IEPA and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation's Chi-Cal Rivers Fund. Planning for the project received a Chicago Community Trust grant and support from the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning's Local Technical Assistance program. The Robbins Master Plan, developed by Donohue & Associates and Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, received the Illinois Chapter of the American Planning Association's Strategic Plan Award in 2017.

"Through this project, 5.75 million gallons of untreated stormwater runoff will be captured and treated prior to being discharged into Midlothian Creek and the Cal-Sag Channel," said Illinois EPA Acting Director James Jennings. "This is a great example of government entities coming together with both funding and technical expertise to improve water quality and infrastructure."

The $30 million project will remove approximately 140 acres from the floodplain, protect 92 structures and remove more than 1,300 parcels from the 100-year floodplain. As a result of planning workshops, public input and MWRD engineering, these stormwater management improvements have the potential to create recreational and economic development opportunities to strengthen and revitalize the community.

"Cook County is committed to building resilient and sustainable communities, and this project is a prime example of what we can accomplish through collaboration," said Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle. "By addressing the long-standing challenges of flooding, we're creating safer, stronger neighborhoods that offer residents peace of mind and a higher quality of life. We're proud to partner with Robbins and other dedicated partners in bringing this vital project to life."