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Mud in the Illinois River provides ideal landscaping for Chicago parks

By WEEK Producer
October 10, 2012 Updated Oct 10, 2012 at 6:29 PM CDT

EAST PEORIA, Ill -- Since 2004, the state has funded the Mud to Parks project.

The project allows for dredging Peoria Lake to transport some 90,000 tons of mud, providing healthy soil to Chicago parks.

Governor Pat Quinn says over time the Illinois River has been filling with sediment causing a more shallow water level.

"It's bad for wildlife that depend on habitat, it's very bad for recreational boating, and definitely bad for navigation," Quinn said. "We've moved many goods up and down this river with our barges, but if the river gets too shallow it's not good at all."

Dredging along East Peoria is expected to wrap up before this winter.

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