Watch CBS News

Quinn Signs Water Safety, Urban Flooding Laws

(CBS) -- Governor Quinn signed a series of new laws are focusing attention on flooding and water safety in Illinois.

One of the three laws is the Urban Flooding Awareness Act. It creates a new group of representatives from state, federal and city agencies to research urban flooding and suggest ways to prevent it.

"Water is a tremendous resource except when you have too much of it or it's not fit to drink," Governor Quinn said. "These new laws will help us better control the damaging urban floods we've had recently, and will help maintain our clean drinking water systems."

The group will submit a report by the end of next June.

He also signed laws that make sure every community has an operator responsible for the local water system and another law to allow law enforcement agencies to collect prescription drugs so they don't wind up in the water supply.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.