Environmental Justice Uncertainty: Confusion for Illinois Businesses

Environmental Justice (EJ) has become a complex and often confusing landscape for Illinois businesses. With varying criteria and maps from the USEPA and Illinois EPA, identifying “areas of EJ concern” can lead to delays and costly conditions for new projects. Recent legislative proposals threaten to add even more complexity, while the Illinois Pollution Control Board seeks public input on EJ regulations. As the Illinois EPA drafts a statutory framework to clarify these issues, businesses must stay informed to navigate the evolving regulatory environment effectively. Discover how these changes could impact your planning and operations.

Illinois Increases Maximum Civil Penalties for Environmental Violations

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.