SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – In an effort to improve water quality and create job opportunities for Illinois residents, state Rep. Justin Slaughter, D-Chicago, recently passed legislation to help support and prepare individuals for careers in water infrastructure.
“Much of Illinois’ water infrastructure is dilapidated and in desperate need of renovation and repair,” said Slaughter. “By providing job training for careers in the water sector, we will help to secure access to both clean water and good jobs for residents across the state.”
Slaughter’s Senate Bill 2146 establishes the Clean Water Workforce Pipeline Program to create and administer grants to community organizations and educational institutions that provide job training and placement programs for the water infrastructure sector. The legislation aims to provide grants to programs that serve economically and socially disadvantaged communities. Slaughter’s proposal passed out of the House with bipartisan support.
“Access to safe and clean water should be a right of all Illinoisans, and we must act now to ensure that our water sources are clean for generations to come and prevent tragedies like those we’ve seen in Flint, Michigan,” said Slaughter. “This legislation will help uplift underserved communities, provide safe water to all Illinois families and improve public health.”
