Illinois Increases Maximum Civil Penalties for Environmental Violations

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On June 12, 2025, significant changes were made to the Illinois Environmental Protection Act, as Governor Pritzker signed Public Act 104-0006 into law. This landmark legislation dramatically increases the maximum civil penalties for environmental violations, raising the stakes for non-compliance. Effective June 16, 2025, penalties will soar to $100,000 for each violation and $25,000 for each day the violation persists. Additionally, a new provision ensures that these penalties will adjust annually based on the consumer price index. Discover how these changes could impact businesses and the environment in Illinois.