Federal earmarks are helping three cities in LaSalle County. About $1.6 million will be used to install new storm sewers in Streator and replace thirty year old equipment at the city’s wastewater treatment plant. In Cedar Point, $530,000 will also be used to upgrade the city’s wastewater treatment plant. Illinois Sen. Tammy Duckworth says the money was included in the federal budget because smaller communities have been having a hard time getting federal funding for projects. So congressional directed spending was brought back so the money in the federal budget can be used to help communities in the state.
Different cities first sent a request to the federal government for help. She says an independent committee looked over a request from the city for federal funding. And in particular, Streator’s projects were one of the first to go to the top of the list.
At Streator council meeting Tuesday, Mayor Tara Bedei says the city is very thankful for the help they are receiving. The city of Ottawa is also getting $250,000 to help build the new YMCA because the facility is serving a low-income population. The funding also includes job-training programs statewide and electric bus and charging infrastructure.