Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner Signs Commitment to Millennium Reserve

Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner issued an executive order to transform the Millennium Reserve from a public-private partnership to an independent, non-profit entity.

The Millennium Reserve is building on four years of collaboration and success in advancing economic and community development and environmental improvement. It includes 37 south suburban municipalities in a 90 sq mile area stretching from Chicago's south lakefront into the neighboring Calumet region. The groundbreaking public-private partnership of 96 government agencies, businesses and community groups work together to stimulate economic growth in the region, restore and enhance natural ecosystems, and improve the quality of life of residents throughout the region.

The governor's executive order reinstitutes the Illinois Millennium Reserve State Agency Task Force, charged with identifying ways for Millennium Reserve partners to access information, technical assistance and funding from the task force's member agencies. The task force includes the governor's office, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR), Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, Illinois Department of Transportation, Illinois Environmental Protection Agency and Illinois Historic Preservation Agency.

The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD) is one of nearly 100 local partners that helped establish the Millennium Reserve in 2012 under the leadership of IDNR. As an independent, non-profit organization, the Millennium Reserve can take better advantage of corporate and philanthropic support, as well as federal, state and local grants and other support from governmental and non-governmental entities.

"As a regional entity that shares in the many environmental initiatives of the Millennium Reserve to protect our vital water environment, we want to thank Gov. Rauner for continuing and broadening the potential of the Millennium Reserve, an important organization that will protect our surroundings, strengthen our communities and bolster the economy," said MWRD Commissioner David J. Walsh, who attended the formal signing of the executive order July 14 with MWRD Executive Director David St. Pierre.

MWRD and partners support the Millennium Reserve's goal to make the most of the region's assets by honoring the cultural and industrial past of the region, restoring and enhancing the natural ecosystems, supporting healthy and prosperous communities and residents, and stimulating vigorous and sustainable economic growth. MWRD has partnered with the Millennium Reserve in its campaign to improve storm water management through investments in and coordination of green infrastructure solutions for the area.

MWRD and stakeholders have also pushed for protection and improvement of the various waterways and wetlands, promoted the conservation and restoration of ecologically important sites and supported the Cal-Sag Trail, for which MWRD dedicated half of the land on where the western portion of the trail was built. Other Millennium Reserve priorities include expanded outdoor recreation, brownfield redevelopment, industrial job creation, National Park Service designations and environmental education.

"While the partnership has shown impressive results, there is an enhanced opportunity through its new independent status to engage a broader group of people, from northeast Illinois and beyond, who are passionately interested in bettering the lives of residents of the Calumet region,” said Rauner.

MWRD President Mariyana Spyropoulos adds: "As the agency responsible for the protection of our water supply source, keeping our communities from flooding and improving the quality of our water in the Calumet region and beyond, it was a natural fit for MWRD to become an active partner in the Millennium Reserve.” MWRD is featured this month as the Millennium Reserve's Partner Spotlight.

To read more, visit www.millenniumreserve.org/Priorities/mwrd/.

Source: Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago