CHICAGO – Governor JB Pritzker today called on the Trump Administration to immediately reverse its work stoppage on the Brandon Road Interbasin Project, the latest federal action delaying one of the nation's most important infrastructure and environmental protection projects.
The Trump Administration is halting years of bipartisan progress to protect the Great Lakes from invasive carp and follows months of federal actions that have slowed the project's advancement. Together, these delays threaten the drinking water supply for more than 40 million people and put at risk a $52 billion regional economy that supports more than 1.5 million jobs.
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"Under my administration, Illinois has spearheaded this project to protect the entire Great Lakes region. Yet, the Trump Administration repeatedly throws up roadblocks and has now ordered work to stop altogether with no explanations,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “The Great Lakes provide drinking water to more than 40 million people and support a $52 billion regional economy. It's time for the Trump Administration to uphold the federal government’s obligations, stop playing political games, and move this project forward.”
Alongside the Governor’s call for action, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources also sent a letter to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers requesting that the federal government meet to discuss how to move forward with the project. The letter explains that Illinois first learned of the stop-work order from contractors on site not from federal officials and that, despite repeated attempts by IDNR leadership to communicate with the federal government, the State did not receive a response until after the work stoppage had already been authorized. The letter further notes that this breakdown in communication was inconsistent with the coordination procedures established under the jointly negotiated Project Management Plan that has guided the project.
Illinois Leads the Effort to Protect the Great Lakes
The Brandon Road Interbasin Project is the nation's strongest defense against invasive carp reaching the Great Lakes. By creating a layered barrier system between the Illinois River and Lake Michigan, the project is designed to stop these destructive species before they can enter the world's largest freshwater ecosystem.
For more than two decades, Illinois, Michigan, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and regional partners have worked together to advance this bipartisan effort. Under Governor Pritzker's leadership, Illinois stepped up to secure resources and critical property needed for construction, all while working closely with federal and state partners to keep the project on track.
In recent months, Illinois has continued convening project partners—including the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the State of Michigan—to review progress, coordinate next steps, and reaffirm a shared commitment to protecting the Great Lakes. Most recently, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources secured a critical parcel of land needed for construction, ensuring the State remains prepared to move forward as soon as federal work resumes.
Illinois remains committed to working with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the State of Michigan, and all project partners to complete the Brandon Road Interbasin Project and protect one of America's greatest natural resources.
