WASHINGTON, DC -  U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) today announced that the Fiscal Year 2006 Energy and Water Appropriations Act conference report, which passed the House of Representatives on November 9th, contains $3.75 million for the Army Corps of Engineers to continue flood prevention and mitigation work benefiting Des Plaines and its surrounding communities. The House and Senate agreed to the funding level in the conference process, and final approval by the Senate and the President is expected shortly.
 

Schakowsky said: “These funds will provide long-awaited and critically necessary relief to Des Plaines and its surrounding communities. We have come a long way since funding for flooding protection was zeroed out of this year’s proposed budget, and now the Army Corps of Engineers can continue to do its job – preventing future flood damage to our community. I’ll continue to work with Mayor Arredia, Senator Durbin and the Corps to ensure that this project remains fully supported and is completed as soon as possible.”
 

Schakowsky worked closely with Des Plaines Mayor Anthony Arredia, Senator Dick Durbin, and the Army Corps of Engineers to identify and secure federal dollars to support ongoing work on the Des Plaines flood control project.  The Administration’s FY 2006 budget request did not include any money for the Des Plaines Phase I project, which includes Levee 37, the Big Bend and Buffalo Creek reservoirs, and the Palatine Road Floodwall. When enacted, the funding Schakowsky secured will ensure that federal dollars will continue to flow to Des Plaines in the years to come.