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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, December 21, 2007 |
For further information:
Contact: Dan Shomon 312 762-7490 |
Spyropoulos Calls for Voluntary Commission to Fight Corporate Dumping in Lake Michigan
CHICAGO – Mariyana Spyropoulos, Democratic candidate for Metropolitan Water Reclamation District in the Cook County area, said today she will create a non-profit citizens’ commission that will bring together local environmental leaders to help fight mega-corporation BP from dumping in Lake Michigan.
BP had the permits and was ready to dump 54 percent more ammonia and 35 percent more sludge into Lake Michigan from its Whiting refinery last summer when a protest led by government officials across a wide spectrum of the political landscape brought the plan to the public’s attention.
The new group will be called the Cook County Citizens Commission to Protect Lake Michigan.
"BP was going to pollute our lake and would have done it if it were not for the effort of local politicians from all levels of government," said Spyropoulos. "I want to serve on the Water Reclamation District and create a new citizens’ commission to make sure BP won’t get out of the starting blocks next time."
Spyropoulos, a former criminal prosecutor and hearing officer for the Illinois Secretary of State’s office, praised political leaders who pushed an extensive government lobbying effort over two months to force BP to abandon its plan. She also knows others’ laxity almost let it happen.
"We shouldn't have to pressure a company like BP not to pollute Lake Michigan," said Spyropoulos. "We should make policies and procedures that will make it impossible for them to even start such a process. I see the commission as an independent, nonpartisan group that can speak out on controversial Lake Michigan issues and get things done."
As a member of the Sierra Club and the League of Conservation Voters, Spyropoulos has shown a long-standing commitment to the environment. Her candidacy is endorsed by the Illinois League of Conservation Voters, Congresswomen Jan Schakowsky, Congressman Danny Davis, State Senators Kwame Raoul and Ricky Hendon, State Representative John Fritchey, County Commissioner Larry Suffredin, Aldermen Joe Moore and Manny Flores, the pro-choice group Personal PAC, the Hellenic Voters League and the 49th Ward Regular Democratic Organization.
For more information about the campaign, call (312) 456-8005
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