IL SR0779

Urges the United States Army Corps of Engineers to seek alternatives to closing the Chicago Area Waterway systems' locks and canals to prevent Asian carp from entering Lake Michigan.

Notes that closing the locks would overwhelm the Chicago Metropolitan Water Reclamation District tunnel system and cause massive flooding affecting more than 3 million people and 1.4 million structures in Chicago and 51 surrounding suburbs.

Emphasizes that closing the locks would increase shipping costs for the Illinois agricultural community by more than half a billion dollars annually.

Recognizes the Chicago Area Waterway System's economic importance, with the Port of Chicago ranked 6th nationally for exports in 2008 and approximately $29 billion worth of products traveling through the locks and canals annually.

References the White House's $78.5 million campaign to prevent Asian carp access to the Great Lakes, which calls for modifying lock operations rather than complete closure.