News Releases - 1999

Wauconda Emissions Test Station Permanently Closed, New Volo Station Open

Springfield, Ill. -- The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing that the vehicle emissions test station located at station 26356 W. Ivanhoe Rd., Wauconda, Ill., is now permanently closed.

A new, three-lane station at 26677 Commerce Dr., Volo, Ill., offers area motorists an additional, convenient location for vehicle testing. It is easily accessible and currently has little to no waiting time.

The Volo station is equipped to perform a new, enhanced emissions test procedure, which is expected to begin in January 1999. The enhanced program is more effective in identifying the pollutants that contribute to ground-level ozone (smog). Ozone is a respiratory irritant that can cause health problems, especially for children, the elderly, and people with heart and lung diseases.

In preparation for the enhanced program, other new stations are being constructed, existing stations will be temporarily closed for renovation and some stations will be permanently closed. The current test procedures and standards will remain in effect, however, at all testing stations until the enhanced test program is fully implemented.

The enhanced vehicle test program is expected to be twice as effective in reducing emissions from vehicles and is part of the Illinois EPA's overall plan for healthier air.

Volo Station, 26677 Commerce Dr., Volo, Ill.

Directions: Take Ivanhoe Road west to U.S. 12 North (Rand Road). Follow U.S. 12 to Illinois 120 (Belvidere Road). Turn right (east onto Illinois 120. Turn tight onto Ellis Drive, Go to Commerce Drive. Turn left on Commerce. The station is on your right.

Telephone: 800-434-2935

Station hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday.

The Illinois EPA will provide motorists with additional information about station closings and openings on future test notices. For more information, call the Illinois EPA at 847-758-3400.