The Mahomet Aquifer Task Force meets Friday in Monticello to discuss potential action to ensure the long-term protection of the aquifer.

State Sen. Chapin Rose will join members of the task force at the Livingston Center. Rose, who is a member of the task force, has been trying to push through new bills in the Illinois Legislature that would strengthen state oversight on natural-gas storage sites near the aquifer.

The goal is to help prevent gas leaks like the one inspectors found at a Peoples Gas storage facility near Mahomet in late 2016. It prompted a lawsuit brought by state Attorney General Lisa Madigan last year.

The aquifer is the primary source of drinking water for about 500,000 central Illinois residents.

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