Champaign Senator Introduces Companion Bill To Protect Aquifer

A Champaign Senator has introduced a bill identical to a House measure designed to protect the Mahomet Aquifer.  Democrat Scott Bennett’s measure cleared the Senate’s Committee on Public Health Tuesday. 

In a news release, Bennett said the bill will further the mission of the Mahomet Aquifer Protection Alliance – instituting guidelines to protect an underground water source serving several counties. 

"The Mahomet Aquifer serves as a lifeline for our region," he said.  "It's our duty to protect this important resource for the sake of our children and generations to come."

Urbana Democratic Representative Carol Ammons’ bill, which was introduced last week, would bar landfills from accepting PCB waste, or specified levels of manufactured gas plant waste, if their runoff goes into the Aquifer.

The owners of the Clinton landfill, Peoria Disposal, is seeking federal EPA approval to accept PCB’s.  Former Governor Pat Quinn instituted a ban on both practices last year, but Ammons says she can’t count on Governor Bruce Rauner to continue those bans.

Co-sponsors of Bennett’s bill include Senators Chapin Rose (R-Mahomet), and Andy Manar (D-Bunker Hill.)