Trump Administration Moves Great Lakes Asian Carp Project from Illinois

Illinois Governor Pritzker calls the decision a 'political stunt'

Apr. 12, 2026 at 1:48am

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A photorealistic painting of a large, silver Asian carp swimming alone in a dimly lit, industrial canal, with warm, diagonal sunlight and deep shadows creating a sense of melancholy and isolation.The decision to shift management of the Asian carp deterrent project away from Illinois raises concerns about the future of the state's efforts to protect the Great Lakes.Chicago Today

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced it will be moving forward with the construction of deterrents near Joliet, Illinois to block the path of Asian carp, but will be shifting management of the project from Illinois to another state, drawing criticism from Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker who called the decision a 'political stunt'.

Why it matters

The Asian carp invasion of the Great Lakes has been an ongoing environmental and economic threat for years, with Illinois playing a central role in efforts to prevent the invasive species from spreading further. The decision to shift the project's management away from Illinois is seen by state leaders as a politically-motivated move that could undermine the progress made so far.

The details

In a news release, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers said it will continue with the construction of the deterrents near Joliet, but will be transferring management of the project to another state, rather than keeping it under Illinois' control as originally planned. Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker criticized the decision, calling it a 'political stunt' that could jeopardize the progress made in the fight against Asian carp.

  • On Thursday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced the decision to move the project management out of Illinois.

The players

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

The federal agency responsible for overseeing the construction of deterrents to block the spread of Asian carp in the Great Lakes.

J.B. Pritzker

The current Governor of Illinois, who criticized the decision to move the project management out of his state.

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What they’re saying

“This is a political stunt that could jeopardize the progress we've made in the fight against Asian carp.”

— J.B. Pritzker, Governor of Illinois

What’s next

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has not yet announced which state will take over management of the Asian carp deterrent project.

The takeaway

The decision to move the Asian carp project management out of Illinois has raised concerns that it could undermine the state's efforts to combat the invasive species and protect the Great Lakes ecosystem. The political tensions surrounding the move highlight the ongoing challenges in addressing this environmental threat.