2017 Illinois Compiled Statutes
Chapter 415 - ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY
415 ILCS 155/ - Environmental Justice Act.

(415 ILCS 155/1)
Sec. 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the Environmental Justice Act.
(Source: P.A. 97-391, eff. 8-16-11.)

(415 ILCS 155/5)
Sec. 5. Legislative findings. The General Assembly finds that:
(i) the principle of environmental justice requires

that no segment of the population, regardless of race, national origin, age, or income, should bear disproportionately high or adverse effects of environmental pollution;

(ii) certain communities in the State may suffer

disproportionately from environmental hazards related to facilities with permits approved by the State; and

(iii) these environmental hazards can cause long-term

health effects.

(Source: P.A. 97-391, eff. 8-16-11.)

(415 ILCS 155/10)
Sec. 10. Commission on Environmental Justice.
(a) The Commission on Environmental Justice is established and consists of the following 24 voting members:
(1) 2 members of the Senate, one appointed by the

President of the Senate and the other by the Minority Leader of the Senate, each to serve at the pleasure of the appointing officer;

(2) 2 members of the House of Representatives, one

appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the other by the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, each to serve at the pleasure of the appointing officer;

(3) the following ex officio members: the Director of

Commerce and Economic Opportunity or his or her designee, the Director of the Environmental Protection Agency or his or her designee, the Director of Natural Resources or his or her designee, the Director of Public Health or his or her designee, the Secretary of Transportation or his or her designee, and a representative of the housing office of the Department of Human Services appointed by the Secretary of Human Services; and

(4) 14 members appointed by the Governor who

represent the following interests:

(i) at least 4 members of affected communities

concerned with environmental justice;

(ii) at least 2 members of business organizations

including one member representing a statewide organization representing manufacturers and one member representing an organization representing the energy sector;

(iii) environmental organizations;
(iv) experts on environmental health and

environmental justice;

(v) units of local government;
(vi) members of the general public who have an

interest or expertise in environmental justice; and

(vii) at least 2 members of labor organizations

including one member from a statewide labor federation representing more than one international union and one member from an organization representing workers in the energy sector.

(b) Of the initial members of the Commission appointed by the Governor, 5 shall serve for a 2-year term and 5 shall serve for a 1-year term, as designated by the Governor at the time of appointment. Thereafter, the members appointed by the Governor shall serve 2-year terms. Vacancies shall be filled in the same manner as appointments. Members of the Commission appointed by the Governor may not receive compensation for their service on the Commission and are not entitled to reimbursement for expenses.
(c) The Governor shall designate a Chairperson from among the Commission's members. The Commission shall meet at the call of the Chairperson, but no later than 90 days after the effective date of this Act and at least quarterly thereafter.
(d) The Commission shall:
(1) advise State entities on environmental justice

and related community issues;

(2) review and analyze the impact of current State

laws and policies on the issue of environmental justice and sustainable communities;

(3) assess the adequacy of State and local laws to

address the issue of environmental justice and sustainable communities;

(4) develop criteria to assess whether communities in

the State may be experiencing environmental justice issues; and

(5) recommend options to the Governor for addressing

issues, concerns, or problems related to environmental justice that surface after reviewing State laws and policies, including prioritizing areas of the State that need immediate attention.

(e) On or before October 1, 2011 and each October 1 thereafter, the Commission shall report its findings and recommendations to the Governor and General Assembly.
(f) The Environmental Protection Agency shall provide administrative and other support to the Commission.
(Source: P.A. 99-541, eff. 1-1-17.)

(415 ILCS 155/99)
Sec. 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon becoming law.
(Source: P.A. 97-391, eff. 8-16-11.)