News Releases - 1997

Business Owners Recognized for Voluntary "Clean Break" Environmental Efforts

Springfield, Ill. -- Several business owners have been honored for their voluntary participation in a trend-setting program aimed at helping owners of small businesses protect both the environment and their bottom lines. They are Jim Devos, owner of Heller & Thompson in Woodridge (DuPage County), Mike Cruso, owner of Central Collision Center in Peotone and Mokena (Will County), Joseph Lorusso, owner of JML Printing in Sandwich (DeKalb County), William Brown, owner of Twin Arts Printing in Elgin (Kane County), Mike Sleboda, owner of Northwest Truck Center in Elk Grove Village (Cook County), and Bill Jelinek, owner of Central Auto Rebuilders, Inc. in Brookfield (Cook County).

The business owners were each presented with a certificate during ceremonies at their place of business or at a Clean Break Workshop between December 5 and December 10. Making the presentations was John Kelley, Office of Small Business, Illinois EPA.

The businessmen were participants in the Clean Break program, voluntarily signing up for assistance in determining whether their operations meet all applicable environmental regulations.

The Clean Break program was inaugurated in 1995 as a two-county pilot project in the Rockford area. Operated jointly by the Illinois EPA, DCCA, and the Rockford Area Chamber of Commerce, it gives owners with businesses employing less than 200 workers access to compliance evaluation and assistance while enjoying amnesty from possible enforcement proceedings and penalties resulting from non-compliance.

In 1996 the program expanded to target printing and automotive service industries.

The businessmen participated in the third year of the program which is available statewide to all of the estimated 100,000 small businesses in Illinois which need to meet some environmental regulations.

Clean Break has attracted nationwide attention and is being studied and copied as a model by other states seeking effective outreach to small businesses to protect public health and enhance the environment in reasonable and cost-effective ways.

Illinois business operators have until December 31, 1997 to participate in the program. For additional information please call the toll-free telephone help line operated by the Illinois EPA's Office of Small Business at 1-888-EPA-1996, or a DCCA toll-free-line at 1-800-252-3998.