In many Illinois communities, urbanization and larger storms have led to increased flooding. Green infrastructure, such as rain gardens and permeable pavement, can help reduce this flooding, but its effectiveness isn’t always fully realized. Green infrastructure designs that integrate multidisciplinary research on native soil properties, water movement, and other factors can significantly improve results and cost-effectiveness. Incorporating these research results into University of Illinois Extension efforts can better support Illinois communities in managing flooding.
Illinois Extension and Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant developed Illinois Groundwork, a website based on multidisciplinary green infrastructure research and outreach. The website aims to enhance community knowledge and design capacity, providing stormwater professionals, local leaders, and residents with tools, research, and resources to support local decision-making. It guides users in incorporating soil data into green infrastructure design and offers task insights. Interactive tools include a green infrastructure sizing resource, a resource library with over 200 entries, and a Plant Finder featuring 138 plants with detailed information on soil, light, and moisture requirements.
From 2023-25, the Illinois Groundwork website underwent several updates to enhance its functionality and resources. New filters were added to the resource library, enhancing access to key materials for primary users. Funding has been secured for an upcoming update to the green infrastructure sizing tool, which will enhance its user-friendliness and effectiveness. A filter for Indiana native plant status was also added to the Plant Finder tool, which will be a featured resource in the "Planting Selection and Design" module of the Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant and University of Illinois Extension Rainscaping Education Program. This enhancement expands the tool's regional impact, enabling more effective plant selection across Illinois and Indiana. The Plant Finder also expanded to include 19 new plants and more will be added with the upcoming Rainscaping program updates, offering users improved species selection for their green infrastructure projects.
Explore the website at illinoisgroundwork.org.
Partners of this project include University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning, Village of Midlothian, City of Calumet City, Illinois State Geological Survey, Illinois Department of Transportation, Metropolitan Planning Council, Illinois Coastal Management Program, Calumet Collaborative, Geosyntec Consultants, Smithgroup, The Openlands Project, and Friends of the Chicago River.
