News Releases - 2003

Interim Environmental Justice Policy Announced

Springfield, Ill. -- Illinois Environmental Protection Agency Director Renee Cipriano today announced an interim agency policy for addressing environmental justice concerns raised by Illinois citizens and following up on a campaign pledge of Governor Rod. R. Blagojevich.

“Governor Blagojevich has called for Illinois EPA to take a more active role in investigating environmental justice issues and we are moving forward to meet that commitment,” said Director Cipriano.

“Illinois EPA supports the objectives of achieving environmental equity in the administration of its programs to the extent it may do so under the law and will be seeking citizen input on adopting a more proactive approach to this issue,” she added.

Director Cipriano also announced that Ken Page, Manager of the Office of Small Business, has also assumed the duties of Environmental Justice Officer for Illinois EPA.

“I have asked that any issue involving environmental justice or equity communicated to Illinois EPA, including our field staff, be referred to Ken for initial followup,” Director Cipriano said.

An interim draft “Environmental Justice Policy” for Illinois EPA and other related information has been posted on the agency’s web site (www.epa.state.il.us) and comments and suggestions are requested from the public.

In addition, the Agency will be reaching out to a broad cross-section of stakeholders and interested citizens as it develops and implements the new policy.

Key goals include:

• To ensure that communities are not disproportionately impacted by degradation of the environment or receive a less than equitable share of environmental protection and benefits.
• To strengthen the public’s involvement in environmental decision-making, including permitting and regulation, and where practicable, enforcement matters.
• To ensure that Agency personnel use a common approach addressing Environmental Justice/Equity issues.
• To ensure that Illinois EPA continues to refine its environmental equity strategy to ensure that it continues to protect the health of the citizens of Illinois and its environment, promotes environmental equity in the administration of its programs and is responsive to the communities it serves.