Michigan and Illinois join forces to battle invasive carp

LANSING, Mich. — Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker signed an intergovernmental agreement earlier Thursday.

The legislation allows Illinois to use funds appropriated by the Michigan legislature to help prevent the flow of an invasive species of carp into the Great Lakes.

The invasive species of bighead, silver, and black carp could have drastic effects on fishing, boating and tourism in the Great Lakes. The project would create a lock and dam system over Brandon Rd. in Illinois, and install layered technologies including an electric barrier and underwater sound. Barge access would not be altered.

“Preventing invasive carp from entering the Great Lakes was a day one priority for my administration,” Whitmer said of the legislation. “We needed to take action, and that’s what today’s action represents.”