Mississippi River Coordinating Council - History

The Mississippi River Coordinating Council is an initiative of Lieutenant Governor Pat Quinn, who saw firsthand the the tremendous difference that a coordinated effort between state and federal agencies, not-for-profit organizations and, most importantly, citizens can make on a river and its tributaries.

State Senator James Clayborne, Jr. (D-East St. Louis) filed the bill and sponsored the legislation.  Additional Senate co-sponsors were added and the bill passed unanimously out of Committee and the Senate Chamber. 

State Representative Daniel Beiser (D-East Alton) was the chief sponsor in the House.  A house amendment regarding fiscal responsibility was added, and the bill passed unanimously out of committee.  Additional House sponsors were added to the bill, and then it passed unanimously out of House Chamber. 

After unanimous concurrence with the Senate, the bill was sent to Governor Blagojevich and was signed on July 3, 2006. 

The new public act will take effect on January 1, 2007.