OFFICE OF THE MAYOR
CITY OF CHICAGO
RAHM EMANUEL
MAYOR
September 24, 2015
TO THE HONORABLE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHICAGO
Ladies and Gentlemen:
At the request of the Commissioner of Water Management, I transmit herewith an ordinance authorizing the execution of an intergovernmental agreement with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources regarding a Stormwater Diversion Tunnel.
Your favorable consideration of this ordinance will be appreciated.
Mayor
Very truly yours,
WHEREAS, the City of Chicago (the "City") is a home rule unit of government under Article VII, Section 6(a) of the Constitution of the State of Illinois, and as such may exercise any power and perform any function pertaining to its government and affairs; and
WHEREAS, the City and the State of Illinois, Department of Natural Resources/Office of Water Resources (the "Department") are both legal entities, organized and existing under the laws of the State of Illinois, having among their powers the authority to perform such undertakings as described herein under the "Intergovernmental Cooperation Act," 5 ILCS 220 et seq.; and
WHEREAS, the Department has approved participation in flood control projects to the extent allowed by its statutory authority under the Flood Control Act of 1945, 615 ILCS 15 et seq.; and
WHEREAS, the City, acting through its Department of Water Management ("DWM"), and the Department wish to complete the Albany Park Flood Control Project, hereinafter referred to as the "Project", which includes the construction of a diversion tunnel be constructed 100 feet below grade (roughly following the right of way of Foster Avenue), to take the excess waters during a potential flood and divert them directly into the Chicago River, thereby bypassing the Albany Park neighborhood and reducing the potential for flooding in the Albany Park area as defined in the report, "Economic Justification of Albany Park Stormwater Diversion Tunnel," prepared by the Department and ...
Click here for full text