News Releases - 2003

Illinois EPA Awards Grants to Counties For Landfill Inspection and Illegal Dumping Investigations

Springfield, Ill. -- Illinois Environmental Protection Agency Director Renee Cipriano announced the Illinois EPA has awarded Solid Waste Enforcement Grants to 16 Illinois counties and the city of Chicago.

“The solid waste grants provide the necessary resources to ensure compliance of disposal facilities such as landfills, clean up of open dumps and documentation of enforcement-related actions,” said Director Cipriano.

The grants will enable the recipients to conduct inspections of landfills, compost sites and transfer stations and for investigations and enforcement activities at Illinois EPA permitted solid waste disposal sites and illegal dumps.

The grant recipients and amounts each received are:

Director Renee Cipriano also noted, “these counties and the city of Chicago have been delegated the authority to inspect facilities on behalf of the Illinois EPA. County officials are closer to these facilities so they can respond more quickly to any problems that may arise.” The grant funds come from Illinois EPA solid waste management fees.

In another effort to assist the delegated communities, the Illinois EPA will provide the counties a copy of the newly developed training manual to assist them with their daily duties. The preparation of this manual was a joint effort between the state and local governments and is one of the few such manuals in the country. It contains guidance on handling various situations, the laws and regulations covering their efforts and contact information.

The Vermilion County Health Department, the Perry County Health Department, Egyptian Health Department (on behalf of Saline County) and the Ambraw Valley Solid Waste Management Agency have been delegated the authority to inspect disposal facilities, although they did not receive grants.