Proposed site for STAR bonds development in American Bottom floodplain.

Proposed site for STAR bonds development in American Bottom floodplain.

Described variously as “TIF on steroids” or “Worst Bill Ever,” Illinois Senate Bill 1909 – the STAR Bonds Financing Act – gives money to private developers at Illinois state taxpayers’ expense to develop in the 100-year floodplain because “such sites are more likely to remain underutilized and undeveloped.” Eligible sites must be vacant and no less than 600 acres, at least 30 per cent of which is in the 100-year floodplain.

Floodplains should remain undeveloped. A floodplain is a land area adjacent to a river, stream, or other water body that is subject to flooding. This area, if left undisturbed, stores excess rainwater during storms. If developed, floodwaters are displaced, leading to increased flooding elsewhere.

According to State floodplain management officials, Illinois is one of the nation’s most flood-prone states, with flooding currently costing the State more than $250 million a year. Development in flood-prone areas has caused an increasing level of damage and destruction.

Preservation of floodplain areas reduces the number and severity of floods and minimizes water pollution. Floodplains frequently contain large tracts of wetlands and provide critical wildlife habitat. Wetlands store and filter floodwaters and help recharge aquifers.

The Illinois Dept of Revenue estimates that each STAR bond project could cost the State $15 million per project per year in lost tax revenue. Much of this loss will be due to the erosion of the State government tax base that existed before the STAR district was created. There would also be a loss in revenue and jobs to nearby communities. SB 1909 indicates there are a number of areas around the state with 100-year floodplains that could benefit from STAR bonds, potentially costing the State more than a hundred million dollars per year.

One of the sites already proposed for a STAR bonds project is in the American Bottom floodplain of the Mississippi River in Glen Carbon, part of the Metro East area. The area’s levee system has been “decertified” by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, meaning the levees lack structural integrity necessary to protect the area from severe flood events.

Such projects would be unwise anytime, but especially so now when the state and local communities already face severe budget deficits and are ill-equipped to deal with costs associated with more flooding.

Prairie Rivers Network, along with many of our partners (Sierra Club – Illinois Chapter and Kaskaskia Group, American Bottom Conservancy, Illinois Environmental Council) opposed this Bill throughout the 2009 legislative session, but the bill has passed both the Senate and the House and awaits Governor Pat Quinn’s signature or veto. Governor Quinn has been a longtime champion of rivers and wise floodplain management. SB 1909 promotes sprawl, rewards private developers for irresponsible floodplain development on the backs of taxpayers, and goes against everything we have learned over the years about floodplain management.

Call Governor Quinn at (217) 782-0244 or (312) 814-212,1 or contact him at his website.  Ask him to protect communities, the environment, wildlife and taxpayer dollars and to deny special funding for private developers.

Ask Governor Quinn to please VETO SB 1909, the STAR bonds bill.