News Releases

Illinois EPA Director Hosts Local Government Workshops

Springfield, Ill. -- Illinois EPA Director Renee Cipriano is hosting a series of informational workshops throughout the state this summer for local governmental officials.

The workshops, titled Assisting Illinois Communities: Illinois EPA's Information Exchange for Local Governments, are being held for Illinois officials such as mayors, city managers, council members, township supervisors, village presidents, county board chairs, and representatives from local sanitary districts and public water districts and anyone with a decision-making role in local government.

"Our goal is to present the variety of resources that Illinois EPA offers that can help improve the quality of life in Illinois communities. I also want them to develop a better understanding of agency programs and activities," said Director Cipriano. "While most citizens are familiar with the regulatory side of the Agency, the Illinois EPA also offers numerous financial and technical assistance programs to units of local government."

The type of assistance Illinois EPA offers includes: low-interest loan programs, grants to help with redevelopment of underused or abandoned properties, information on services such as waste collection programs and pollution prevention consultations to help government reduce waste and thereby save money. These workshops will provide information on these resources and also give community representatives an opportunity to ask questions about agency programs and discuss ongoing activities with agency staff. Workshops are being held at the following locations:

• July 2 - Jacksonville High School, Jacksonville
• 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 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. There is no registration fee for these workshops; however, advanced registration is required due to limited space. There will be no same day registration.

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