Illinois EPA Praises Passage of Environmental Permit Streamlining Legislation

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) Director Lisa Bonnett today praised Governor Quinn for signing legislation that will strengthen the Agency’s efforts to streamline Illinois’ environmental permitting process and increase transparency of permit transactions in order to help businesses expand and grow.  

Gov. Quinn previously signed legislation in 2011 that required IEPA to use more efficient techniques such as online permitting, processing and tracking to make the permitting process easier to navigate for businesses. That law also allows for expedited permitting, general permitting and permitting by rule for certain classes of facilities.

 

In addition to making the permitting process easier for businesses, that law also created an online portal to assist with the permitting process. As a result, companies can begin production and other projects more quickly. This reduces the burden on small businesses by saving time and resources.

 

House Bill 2036, which passed unanimously in both houses, furthers the Agency’s groundbreaking streamlining efforts by requiring IEPA to expand the amount of information available on its website to include descriptions of each type of permit, who must obtain permits, and the processes for obtaining permits. It also directs the Agency to annually report on the number of permit applications received, the number of permits issued, and timeframes for permit issuance.

 

For more information about environmental permitting in Illinois, visit http://www.epa.state.il.us/permits/

 

###