SR0981LRB102 27228 LAW 38887 r

1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The portion of Cahokia Heights formerly known as
3Centreville is a community in St. Clair County with a
4population of almost 5,000 residents; and
 
5    WHEREAS, According to the latest census data, the
6population of this area is 93% African-American, and the
7average household income is $32,595; and
 
8    WHEREAS, Since the 1980s, pump stations designed to pump
9sewage away from homes and neighborhoods in Centreville have
10barely functioned, with moderate rainfall often leading to raw
11sewage flooding streets and homes; and
 
12    WHEREAS, In 2009, the Illinois EPA ruled that the Harding
13Ditch, which drains the flood plain on which Centreville sits,
14contained hazardous levels of fecal coliform; and
 
15    WHEREAS, Many residents of the Centreville community have
16requested that the State of Illinois and U.S. Government
17declare an environmental health crisis, as numerous residents
18suffer from health issues due to the unsanitary conditions;
19and
 
20    WHEREAS, The situation in Centreville is an example of why

 

 

SR0981- 2 -LRB102 27228 LAW 38887 r

1appropriate steps are needed to advance environmental justice
2and eradicate systemic racism in public policy and all areas;
3therefore, be it
 
4    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL
5ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we urge the U.S.
6Environmental Protection Agency, the Illinois Emergency
7Management Agency, the Illinois Department of Public Health,
8the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, the St. Clair
9County Emergency Management Agency, the St. Clair County
10Public Health Department, the St. Clair County Public Works
11Department, and all other local officials to continue to work
12collaboratively to direct the necessary resources to the
13community formerly known as Centreville to address this
14pressing human rights issue in the State of Illinois; and be it
15further
 
16    RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be
17delivered to the aforementioned units of local and federal
18government, the Office of the Governor, all members of the
19General Assembly, and the St. Clair County Board.