The removal was part of a larger effort to restore more than a mile of Salt Creek through a partnership between the Forest Preserve District and the DuPage River Salt Creek Workgroup.

Officials at the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago issued an “overflow action alert” Wednesday morning ahead of the rainfall, asking residents to reduce water use to help prevent the sewer system from overflowing.

Under the alert, MWRD officials are asking residents to take steps to reduce their water usage during and after the storms in an effort to limit the amount of water that goes into sewer systems.

The new design provides more than 1 million gallons of stormwater storage, easing the load on the village’s sewer system and helping to reduce local flooding.

The playground is a part of Space to Grow, an initiative by Openlands – a nonprofit nature conservation organization that preserves natural spaces and brings them to where people are – and the Healthy Schools Campaign.

Oak Lawn is moving forward with plans to build a detention basin for stormwater storage in the fields near Polaris Intermediate School after over a year-long delay.

CBS News Chicago interviews MWRD Director of Engineering Dr. Catherine O'Connor

A new playground is bringing health and wellness opportunities to an Austin elementary school while also functioning as a reservoir for rainwater to protect against future flooding.

MWRD Board of Commissioners and staff gathered in front of the Barbara J. McGowan Main Office Building for their fourth annual Juneteenth flag raising Friday.

Milkweed is also a native plant that can help absorb rainwater that would otherwise contribute to flooding.