Illinois and Iowa Lawmakers Request Emergency Dredging Funds

Representatives Cheri Bustos (IL-17) and Darin LaHood (IL-18) sent a letter with lawmakers from the Illinois and Iowa congressional delegations to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Mississippi Valley Division in support of emergency dredging funding requests from the Rock Island District. The funding would be used to bring the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers back to authorized channel levels following historic flooding across the Midwest.

“It’s crucial we address the health of our waterways and help restore navigability following this historic flooding,” said Congresswoman Cheri Bustos.

“As folks in Illinois try to make up for lost shipping time, emergency dredging is required to ensure the river remains navigable,” said Congressman LaHood.

Other signatories of the letter included Representatives Abby Finkenauer (IA-01), Mike Bost (IL-12), Dave Loebsack (IA-02), Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08), Bobby Rush (IL-01), Jesus Garcia (IL-04), Rodney Davis (IL-13), Lauren Underwood (IL-14), John Shimkus (IL-15), Mike Quigley (IL-05), Adam Kinzinger (IL-16), Bill Foster (IL-11), Dan Lipinski (IL-03) and Sean Casten (IL-06).