333515562_1181797042475598_1214323570173903978_n
333515562_1181797042475598_1214323570173903978_n

Centreville, Illinois

Centreville Citizens For Change

Since 2018, Centreville Citizens for Change (CCC) has been advocating for residents of one of the poorest towns in the nation, Cahokia Heights, formerly known as Centreville IL. Less than five miles from East St. Louis, the predominately African American community endures recurring flooding, raw sewage in homes, and contaminated drinking water. Many residents fear their lives hang in the balance when flash flooding occurs, as streets become impassable and emergency services can’t get through. For decades, pump stations designed to divert sewage away from homes and neighborhoods have been largely ineffective. In 2009, the Illinois EPA declared Harding Ditch—the drainage channel serving Centreville’s floodplain—an open sewer due to hazardous levels of fecal coliform. Working with legal experts, scientists, and environmental justice groups, CCC files lawsuits against those responsible for the area’s wastewater systems, seeking improvements after years of institutional neglect. As well, the group hosts community meetings, connects residents to financial assistance for home repairs, conducts public health assessments, organizes bottled water drives, and provides emergency cleanup assistance after dangerous flooding events.

Danny Lane, right, gives his friend Walter Byrd a push as Byrd prepares to head down a flooded Centreville street in June 2015. Firefighters evacuated residents earlier in the day. Source: floodedandforgotten.com

Centreville Citizens for Change is an all-volunteer community group dedicated to improving life for its underserved neighbors – 96% of whom are Black and 50% living in poverty. Collaborating with key nonprofit partners like Equity Legal Services, Earthjustice, and the Metropolitan St. Louis Equal Housing and Opportunity Council, the group fights systemic environmental injustices. In 2024, their persistent advocacy contributed to a pivotal EPA, DOJ, and state of Illinois settlement with Cahokia Heights, addressing violations of the federal Clean Water Act and IL Environmental Protection Act. The consent decree mandates a $30,000 civil penalty and approximately $30 million in compliance measures. Yet, the settlement doesn’t go nearly far – or fast – enough, according to Nicole Nelson of Equity Legal Services. “We will continue to push for immediate and meaningful action. This community deserves much more than promises of future repairs; they deserve immediate intervention, comprehensive support, and a commitment to a future free from the daily threat of flooding and sewage.”

Centreville faces persistent flooding issues due to inadequate and outdated infrastructure. Source: Equity Legal Services.

Contact
Nicole Nelson
Climate impacts
Flooding
Strategies
Nature-Based solutions, Legal/permit challenges, Political activism, including protests, petitions, and lobbying, Community organizing and education, Risk mapping e.g. flooding/contaminants
Environmental Justice Concerns
Flooding, Sewage/sewage treatment
501c3 Tax Deductible
No
Accepting Donation
Yes