The Southern - House OKs Grand Tower Lower Levee Funding

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By: Unknown

Funds needed to repair a levee along the Mississippi River can now be raised thanks to legislation approved by the Illinois House on Thursday.

The proposal allows the village of Grand Tower to fund repairs to a damaged levee using money from bond issues.

"This is truly an opportunity for the locals to take care of themselves," said Rep. Mike Bost, R-Murphysboro, who sponsored the legislation. "That's local control at its best.

"We cannot carry (out repairs) without this legislation, and it is exactly what they asked us to do."

The Jackson County levee districts had authority to raise up to $1.7 million for flood prevention after a 1994 bond referendum, but only $200,000 was raised and spent.

Unable to access the funds, Grand Tower officials were concerned about the declining state of the levee.

"It's been up in the air," said Grand Tower mayor Mike Ellet. "We've had people almost come to fights over it, but we just kept holding on."

State Sen. David Luechtefeld, R-Okawville, introduced the legislation to unfreeze the funds in January.

Ellet said he's surprised that the measure finally passed.

"I never thought it would pass," he said. "I sure didn't. I'm speechless. That's the best news I've heard in the past year."

The House voted 89-14 to approve the measure. It now heads to Gov. Pat Quinn's desk.

Ellet said he is unsure when the repairs will begin if the measure is signed into law. He said he hopes the work can begin by July, if conditions permit.

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