
				Pat Quinn, Governor

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Environmental Progress - Spring 1996

Innovative Amnesty Program Expands to Include Entire State

Clean Break is currently helping small printers and auto repair shops come into environmental compliance voluntarily; the program's focus will shift to other industry sectors after July 1.

An environmental amnesty program cosponsored by the Illinois EPA and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Community Affairs (DCCA) is being offered to selected industry sectors statewide. The program, called Clean Break, is intended to guide businesses having 200 or fewer full-time employees into environmental compliance, without fear of prosecution by state authorities.

Clean Break is concentrating on printers and autobody and repair shops through June 1996, after which its focus will shift to other industries.

"We selected printers and autobody and repair shops to initiate statewide implementation," explained Illinois EPA Director Mary A. Gade, "because the associations representing these industries expressed their interest in environmental amnesty, and because these industries are facing new clean-air permit requirements in ozone nonattainment areas in the Chicago and East St. Louis metropolitan regions."

Firms seeking environmental amnesty can learn what steps, if any, are required to comply with applicable environmental rules and regulations. Companies opting for site visits may additionally benefit: Illinois EPA field personnel can often identify and recommend pollution-prevention techniques that can significantly reduce or eliminate costs associated with waste disposal.

To obtain more information, or to make appointments for site visits, call DCCA, at 800-252-3998. Those who wish to remain anonymous may do so.