Chambana Sun

State Senator Chapin Rose expressed his concerns regarding the Mahomet Aquifer in a Facebook post dated November 14. He criticized a group for allegedly rushing through legislation over Memorial Day Weekend, which he claims puts the water supply at risk.

"More non-sense from Springfield on our Mahomet Aquifer," said Rose, according to Facebook. "More time" says the same group who rushed through legislation over Memorial Day Weekend that puts our water at risk... now they say they need "more time" to study it.. .What is there to study?"

In his post, Rose shared a link to a WCIA report about a bill intended to protect the aquifer from carbon capture sequestration. The article includes comments from Rose on the potential risks associated with such projects. In July, when Governor J.B. Pritzker signed a law regulating carbon capture sequestration—from capturing emissions to storing them underground—Rose introduced legislation aimed at preventing these projects from affecting the Mahomet Aquifer. "There is no level of risk that is acceptable. You need to absolutely ban the sequestration and storage of carbon on the Mahomet Aquifer," Rose stated in a November 13 report by WCIA.

Screenshot of State Senator Chapin Rose's Nov. 14 Facebook post | State Senator Chapin Rose Facebook page

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has designated part of the Mahomet Aquifer in east-central Illinois as a sole source aquifer, providing drinking water for more than half of the region's population. This designation under the Safe Drinking Water Act underscores its importance, as contamination could lead to a public health emergency with no feasible alternative water source available, according to EPA guidelines.

Rose further criticized Governor Pritzker's decision to sign legislation allowing carbon dioxide storage beneath the aquifer. "Immediately after Gov. Pritzker (D-Chicago) recklessly signed legislation to allow dangerous carbon dioxide to be stored under the drinking water of 1 million Illinoisians, I was the first legislator in the state to file legislation to ban the practice permanently," he wrote in a November 14 news release. He also acknowledged Senator Faraci's recent support with his own bill but criticized other politicians for delaying action by claiming they need "more time" for study.

Senator Chapin Rose has represented Illinois' 51st District since January 2013 and previously served in the 110th District for ten years. A lifelong resident of Illinois, he resides in Mahomet with his family.