Environmental Progress - Spring 2002

Environmental Progress : Spring 2002

IEPA To Host Local Government Workshops

Eight events planned in July, August

Agency Lauds Boy For Recovering Property Youngster found, returned stolen electronics Kieth Hughes with Bureau of Land chief Bill Child Overnight on Feb. 6, one or more thieves broke into a fenced IEPA parking area at the Springfield headquarters, and burglarized a number of Agency and employee-owned vehicles. Among the articles stolen were several boxes of electronic location devices locked in an Agency vehicle. A few days later, the parents of Kieth Hughes, who resides in Springfield, called the Agency to say their son had found several boxes marked with the IEPA's name. The boxes had apparently been discarded after being opened and inspected. The items included global positioning system equipment and an electronic photo-imaging device used to gather and compile locational data during environmental site investigations conducted by the Agency. Later that month, in a ceremony at Illinois EPA headquarters, Bill Child, chief of the Illinois EPA's Bureau of Land, presented a special Certificate of Appreciation to Hughes for returning the items he found. "While the items had very little street value, the scientific equipment is very valuable to the technical staff of the Agency," Child said.

Illinois EPA Director Renee Cipriano is hosting a series of informational workshops throughout the state this summer. The workshops, titled Assisting Illinois Communities: Illinois EPA's Information Exchange for Local Governments, are being held for Illinois mayors, city managers, township supervisors, village presidents, county board chairs, and representatives from local sanitary districts and public water districts.

"Our goal is to present the variety of resources that can help improve the quality of life in Illinois communities and to help them develop a better understanding of agency programs and activities," said Director Cipriano.

The Illinois EPA offers assistance through low-interest loan programs, grants for redeveloment of under-used or abandoned properties, information on services such as waste colllection programs, and pollution prevention consultations to help government reduce waste and save money. The workshops will provide information and give community representatives an opportunity to ask questions and discuss ongoing activities with agency staff.

Series Kicks off July 2 in Jacksonville

The schedule for the workshops is:

• July 2 - Jacksonville High School
• July 11 - Knox College, Galesburg
• July 29 - Kaskaskia Community College, Centralia
• July 30 - Rend Lake Community College, Sesser
• Aug. 7 - Joliet Junior College, Joliet
• Aug. 8 - Harper College, Palatine
• Aug. 21 - University of Illinois, Levis Faculty Center, Champaign
• Aug. 22 - Northern Illinois University, Rockford

All meetings are scheduled from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. A confirmation letter and map will be sent to registrants prior to the workshop.

There is no registration fee for the workshops; however, advanced registration is required due to limited space.

No same day registration

There will be no same day registration. Deadline for registration is two weeks before the workshop date.

For more information, call 1-888-372-1666. On-line registration is also available at the Illinois EPA website at: www.epa.state.il.us/assist