Illinois Valley Times

A proposal before the Illinois House of Representatives would take on public health and environmental concerns that stem from a decision to allow dumping of construction site debris into unlined quarries all across the state, including the Illinois Valley. 

Rep. David Welter (R-Morris), who represents portions of the Illinois Valley, said House Bill 3056, which would mandate groundwater monitoring at unlined quarries in and around Chicago and other areas of the state, is vital.

“I think it is good legislation to add onto existing law that already set up requirements for what can and cannot be dumped into these quarries,” he told the Illinois Valley Times. “What we’ve seen, though, is that without some type of regulation or quality testing, this was only a law that was passed without any teeth.”

Welter joins 27 others to sponsor the bill, which was introduced by Rep. Margo McDermed (R-Mokena).

"I am now going to start fighting for real protections for our groundwater in Will County and all the other countries where these quarries are," McDermed told the Will County Gazette.

In an attempt to bring the 2016 Olympics to Chicago, Illinois lawmakers passed legislation in 2010 permitting dumping of tons of debris as a way to alleviate the cost and expedite the construction needs of such an event.

Several environmental experts objected to the original move and argued that the debris deposited into these quarries would contaminate aquifers and poison drinking water sources. Groundwater monitoring provisions were promised but were never established.

According to data from the state Environmental Protection Agency, there are 77 unlined quarries operating throughout the state. Forty-four are located in the Chicago metro area with the 33 remaining quarries located in downstate communities. There are operating quarries in LaSalle, Ladd, Princeton, Sheridan and Streator.

Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner has voiced support for the bill.

Sen. Daniel Biss (D-Skokie), who will challenge Rauner in in the 2018 gubernatorial election, told the Illinois Valley Times that he also supports the bill.

“I do support HB3056 and will vote for it if does come over to the Senate,” Biss said.

All clean construction and demolition debris fill operations would be touched by the provisions. The legislation would mandate that current guidance on groundwater monitoring would be made to adopt regulations that such operations need to monitor water. Exemptions and exclusions would be granted during a period of “dewatering” at these sites, as well.

Some environmental groups have shown support for HB3056, including the Illinois Environmental Council.

"Current Illinois law turns a blind eye to the range of contaminated debris that is disposed of in quarries.” Jen Walling, the executive director of the council, said. “By the time a quarry fill operator tests for groundwater contamination the damage may be irreversible and cost prohibitive. Illinois quarries in particular are highly permeable excavated open-pit mines, ideal conduits for groundwater contamination."

Jack Darin, the director of the Sierra Club of Illinois, agreed.

“Quarries normally stop mining rock when they hit the water table, so there is great concern for interaction with waste materials and the aquifer,” he said. “Sierra Club has worked for many years to either oppose quarry disposal of demolition debris or other wastes, and also to require better groundwater monitoring, materials testing, and other safeguards in cases where it is, unfortunately, happening.”

The Chicago-based Environmental Law & Policy Center declined to comment for this story.

Members of the LaSalle County Board did not return calls for comment.