Council Reviews and Approves Updated 2026 Stormwater Management Program Plan
The City Council has approved the City's updated 2026 Stormwater Management Program Plan (SMPP), ensuring continued compliance with the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency's (IL EPA) General NPDES Permit No. ILR40, which took effect on August 1, 2025.
The updated plan reflects changes required by the IL EPA and outlines how the City of North Chicago will continue to manage its municipal stormwater program in accordance with state and federal regulations. The SMPP was developed using a template provided by the Lake County Stormwater Management Commission (SMC) and is designed to meet the requirements of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Phase II program.
The Stormwater Management Program Plan establishes procedures and best practices to reduce pollutants in stormwater runoff, protect local waterways, and improve water quality throughout the community.
Effective implementation of the plan helps provide important community benefits, including:
- Cleaner lakes and streams
- Reduced flood damage
- Improved recreational opportunities
- Enhanced wildlife habitat and community aesthetics
- A safer and healthier environment for residents
The SMPP also outlines how the city will:
- Review, permit, and inspect construction activities
- Manage the planning, design, and construction of City projects
- Maintain public infrastructure and daily operations
- Detect and eliminate illicit discharges into the storm sewer system
- Provide public education and outreach on stormwater protection
- Train City employees on program requirements and reporting
- Monitor and evaluate the program to ensure ongoing compliance and effectiveness
By adopting the updated 2026 SMPP, the city reaffirms its commitment to protecting local water resources and meeting environmental standards that benefit the entire community.
Why Does North Chicago Need a Stormwater Management Plan?
A Stormwater Management Program Plan (SMPP) is a community's roadmap for keeping rainwater from becoming a problem.
When it rains, water flows over streets, parking lots, rooftops, and lawns, picking up things like oil, litter, fertilizers, and other pollutants before it enters nearby streams, rivers, and lakes. An SMPP outlines the steps a municipality takes to reduce that pollution, prevent flooding where possible, and protect local waterways.
The plan also explains how the community will maintain storm drains, educate residents about protecting water quality, monitor its stormwater system, and meet state and federal environmental requirements. In short, an SMPP helps ensure that rainwater is managed safely and responsibly, protecting both public health and the environment for everyone.