GLIN==> Illinois House of Representatives Passes Landmark Great Lakes Compact

["List Manager" <adminpst@great-lakes.net>]

Submitted by Katie McClain <Katie.McClain@Illinois.gov>
---

Illinois House of Representatives Passes Landmark Great Lakes Compact


SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - The Illinois House of Representatives took the first 
step on Thursday, March 29 to ratify an interstate compact that will provide 
unprecedented protection for the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin.



The Illinois House voted unanimously to pass HB 0375, which creates the 
Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin Water Resources Compact Act and 
authorizes the Governor to join the compact.  The compact serves as an 
agreement between the states of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New 
York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin and details how the states and the 
Canadian provinces of Ontario and Quebec will work together to protect the 
Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin.



"It's very important that we all work together to improve and protect our 
greatest natural treasures," Lt. Governor Pat Quinn said.  "The Great Lakes 
Interstate Compact encourages the necessary teamwork that allows us to share 
our ideas and develop creative solutions to protect the health and economy 
of the Great Lakes region."



To become law the compact must be approved by each of the state legislatures 
and Congress must give its consent.  Illinois is positioned to be the second 
state to pass the compact as it now moves to the Illinois Senate for 
approval.  Minnesota's Governor Tim Pawlenty formally ratified the compact 
on February 20.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
glin-announce is hosted by the Great Lakes Information Network (GLIN):
http://www.great-lakes.net

To subscribe: http://www.glin.net/forms/glin-announce_form.html

To post a message: http://www.glin.net/forms/glin-announce_post.html

To search the archive: http://www.glin.net/lists/glin-announce/

All views and opinions presented above are solely those of the author or
attributed source and do not necessarily reflect those of GLIN or its
management.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *