Support protection of our clean water

Our waterways are a huge part of our lives here in Illinois. For me this summer was no different. I'm a student a Loyola University and this summer was filled with classes and lots of homework. Luckily, Loyola's campus is right on Lake Michigan, so when my family came to visit we would spend all of our time hanging out by the lake. My siblings and I would spend hours swimming while my dad tried to catch something for dinner. It was the highlight of my summer, and now who knows what'll happen next summer?

Congresswoman Cheri Bustos voted yes to HR 2078 and with the passing of the bill, it has made it much more crucial for Sen. Dick Durbin to favor the proposal from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers. They proposed a rule to bring back Clean Water Act protections that were stripped away in the 2000s. The rule is based on sound science, and it will not negatively affect farmers; in fact, countless farmers in Illinois have expressed support for it. That being said, water is an essential part of everyday life. All of us need water to sustain ourselves, as do Sen. Durbin and Rep. Bustos through long working days trying to speak up for our concerns.

Lynda Nguyen

Environment Illinois