$2.57 Million Grant Awarded for Graue Mill Neighborhood Flood Protection Project

Congressman Mike Quigley announced Tuesday the Graue Mill neighborhood of Hinsdale will receive a $2.57 million grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency to help fund a flood protection project. 

Twice since 2010—and mostly recently last April —floods have devastated the area, forcing the evacuation of most of Graue Mill’s 243 residences and causing millions of dollars in damage. 

The federal grant will pay for 75 percent of the $3.4 million project, which includes the construction of berms, flood gates, upgraded pumps and other water management improvements.  DuPage County, the village of Hinsdale and Graue Mill residents will provide the remaining funds to match the federal grant.

“This is a crucial step in addressing the region’s flooding issues,’’ said Quigley, who visited Graue Mill the day after the April 2013 flood. “When completed, this project will provide important peace of mind for the residents of Graue Mill, who have endured two 100-year storms in the past three years.”

Peter Schroth, president of the Graue Mill Homeowners Association thanked Quigley and the other elected officials, who had worked to secure funding for the project.

"The Board is indebted to Congressman Quigley for his support of this project on the federal level as well as Illinois Representative Patti Bellock for her help and advice on the state and local level,” Schroth said.

Bellock said the grant was “a credit to the residents of Graue Mill and the community-led effort that made it possible. Working in partnership with federal, state, county and municipal officials, we are now able to bring long-sought relief to these local residents." 

DuPage County Board Chairman Dan Cronin said, “Completion of the Graue Mill Flood Mitigation Project is an important regional step towards reducing the effect of future devastating floods.  We are grateful for the support and assistance of Congressman Mike Quigley’s office to secure a FEMA grant to construct the Graue Mill project and pledge to work with our community partners to obtain the necessary local match required.”    

Graue Mill and portions of Hinsdale became part of Illinois’ 5th Congressional District in January 2013. Quigley and his staff met with Graue Mill residents soon after to discuss the community’s grant application with FEMA. 

The application was in response to the flood of 2010, which paralyzed the community. The catastrophic events of April 2013 further galvanized efforts to secure relief, and Quigley met federal, state and county officials to explore solutions. 

Source: Press release from Congressman Mike Quigley