Environmental Progress - Winter-Spring 2004

Online Assistance

E-Complaints and Enforcement Orders on Web Site

Citizens are now able to report pollution and other environmental concerns electronically, speeding up investigations by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, and more information is now also available online on enforcement cases.

The online Electronic Citizens Pollution Complaint Form available on our web page will result in getting information more quickly to our field offices around the state for follow up investigation," said Illinois EPA Director Renee Cipriano.

The E-Complaint form will be acknowledged and forwarded to the appropriate regional office the same business day it is received online.

Examples of complaints include open burning, dust and particles and industrial emissions, open dumping, hazardous waste, stream/lake pollution, illegal discharges into waterways, issues affecting drinking water and agricultural problems.

While many of these complaints are now and likely will continue to be made directly by citizens to their nearest IEPA regional field office, the new E-Complaint system will provide a fast and efficient way to assist citizens and help address environmental problems before they become worse. The complainant's identity will be kept confidential unless they request otherwise.

In addition, the full texts of enforcment orders in cases investigated and referred by Illinois EPA can now also be conveniently accessed through the Agency's web site. They are listed in chronological order, by county, or by site-specific name.

"By making its enforcement orders available online, Illinois EPA has made it much easier for the public to know our environmental laws are being enforced," said Eric Schaeffer, Executive Director of the Environmental Integrity Project.

All new enforcement orders will be placed on the web site as they are received and IEPA is continuing to load orders from prior years into the database.

"Making more information available on our web site is part of fulfilling Governor Rod Blagojevich's commitment to renew and streamline state government to be more responsive to citizens," said Director Cipriano. "The Internet and technology improves communication and dialogue with the public."

In addition to the online access, citizens may bring environmental questions and complaints by phone through an expanded toll-free Environmental Helpline (1-888-372-1996).

Examples of topics citizens may obtain information from Agency staff on through the Helpline include potential pollutants in the home, such as asbestos, mercury, lead and hazardous waste, questions about local air quality and odors, trash burning, heating oil tanks, electronics recycling, quality of lakes and streams and potential environmental problems when purchasing property.