My research project examines the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that the United Nations crafted in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Within this framework, I explore how these goals are relevant for the United States, a developed nation. More specifically, I consider how these goals, drafted from a global perspective, are relevant to the local community in which I live, Central Illinois. In this picture, I hone in on the 6th SDG which prioritizes clean water and sanitation. The Illinois River was, and still is, vitally important to the region. Many of our livelihoods depend on the Illinois River, but it is severely contaminated due to the poor infrastructure of many cities along the Illinois River, including Chicago and Peoria. These cities continue to pour tons of raw sewage into the river, directly affecting the health of those who live in the surrounding areas.