2018 Illinois Compiled Statutes
Chapter 415 - ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY
415 ILCS 135/ - Drycleaner Environmental Response Trust Fund Act.

(415 ILCS 135/1)
Sec. 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the Drycleaner Environmental Response Trust Fund Act.
(Source: P.A. 90-502, eff. 8-19-97.)

(415 ILCS 135/5)
Sec. 5. Definitions. As used in this Act:
(a) "Active drycleaning facility" means a drycleaning facility actively engaged in drycleaning operations and licensed under Section 60 of this Act.
(b) "Agency" means the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency.
(c) "Claimant" means an owner or operator of a drycleaning facility who has applied for reimbursement from the remedial account or who has submitted a claim under the insurance account with respect to a release.
(d) "Council" means the Drycleaner Environmental Response Trust Fund Council.
(e) "Drycleaner Environmental Response Trust Fund" or "Fund" means the fund created under Section 10 of this Act.
(f) "Drycleaning facility" means a facility located in this State that is or has been engaged in drycleaning operations for the general public, other than a:
(1) facility located on a United States military base;
(2) industrial laundry, commercial laundry, or linen

supply facility;

(3) prison or other penal institution that engages in

drycleaning only as part of a Correctional Industries program to provide drycleaning to persons who are incarcerated in a prison or penal institution or to resident patients of a State-operated mental health facility;

(4) not-for-profit hospital or other health care

facility; or a

(5) facility located or formerly located on federal

or State property.

(g) "Drycleaning operations" means drycleaning of apparel and household fabrics for the general public, as described in Standard Industrial Classification Industry No. 7215 and No. 7216 in the Standard Industrial Classification Manual (SIC) by the Technical Committee on Industrial Classification.
(h) "Drycleaning solvent" means any and all nonaqueous solvents, including but not limited to a chlorine-based or petroleum-based formulation or product, including green solvents, that are used as a primary cleaning agent in drycleaning operations.
(i) "Emergency" or "emergency action" means a situation or an immediate response to a situation to protect public health or safety. "Emergency" or "emergency action" does not mean removal of contaminated soils, recovery of free product, or financial hardship. An "emergency" or "emergency action" would normally be expected to be directly related to a sudden event or discovery and would last until the threat to public health is mitigated.
(j) "Groundwater" means underground water that occurs within the saturated zone and geologic materials where the fluid pressure in the pore space is equal to or greater than the atmospheric pressure.
(k) "Inactive drycleaning facility" means a drycleaning facility that is not being used for drycleaning operations and is not registered under this Act.
(l) "Maintaining a place of business in this State" or any like term means (1) having or maintaining within this State, directly or through a subsidiary, an office, distribution facility, distribution house, sales house, warehouse, or other place of business or (2) operating within this State as an agent or representative for a person or a person's subsidiary engaged in the business of selling to persons within this State, irrespective of whether the place of business or agent or other representative is located in this State permanently or temporary, or whether the person or the person's subsidiary engages in the business of selling in this State.
(m) "No Further Remediation Letter" means a letter provided by the Agency pursuant to Section 58.10 of Title XVII of the Environmental Protection Act.
(n) "Operator" means a person or entity holding a business license to operate a licensed drycleaning facility or the business operation of which the drycleaning facility is a part.
(o) "Owner" means (1) a person who owns or has possession or control of a drycleaning facility at the time a release is discovered, regardless of whether the facility remains in operation or (2) a parent corporation of the person under item (1) of this subdivision.
(p) "Parent corporation" means a business entity or other business arrangement that has elements of common ownership or control or that uses a long-term contractual arrangement with a person to avoid direct responsibility for conditions at a drycleaning facility.
(q) "Person" means an individual, trust, firm, joint stock company, corporation, consortium, joint venture, or other commercial entity.
(r) "Program year" means the period beginning on July 1 and ending on the following June 30.
(s) "Release" means any spilling, leaking, emitting, discharging, escaping, leaching, or dispersing of drycleaning solvents from a drycleaning facility to groundwater, surface water, or subsurface soils.
(t) "Remedial action" means activities taken to comply with Sections 58.6 and 58.7 of the Environmental Protection Act and rules adopted by the Pollution Control Board under those Sections.
(u) "Responsible party" means an owner, operator, or other person financially responsible for costs of remediation of a release of drycleaning solvents from a drycleaning facility.
(v) "Service provider" means a consultant, testing laboratory, monitoring well installer, soil boring contractor, other contractor, lender, or any other person who provides a product or service for which a claim for reimbursement has been or will be filed against the remedial account or insurance account, or a subcontractor of such a person.
(w) "Virgin facility" means a drycleaning facility that has never had chlorine-based or petroleum-based drycleaning solvents stored or used at the property prior to it becoming a green solvent drycleaning facility.
(Source: P.A. 93-201, eff. 1-1-04.)

(415 ILCS 135/10)
Sec. 10. Drycleaner Environmental Response Trust Fund.
(a) The Drycleaner Environmental Response Trust Fund is created as a special fund in the State Treasury. Moneys deposited into the Fund shall be used solely for the purposes of the Council and for other purposes as provided in this Act. The Fund shall include moneys credited to the Fund under this Act and other moneys that by law may be credited to the Fund. The State Treasurer may invest Funds deposited into the Fund at the direction of the Council. Interest, income from the investments, and other income earned by the Fund shall be credited to and deposited into the Fund.
Pursuant to appropriation, all moneys in the Drycleaner Environmental Response Trust Fund shall be disbursed by the Agency to the Council for the purpose of making disbursements, if any, in accordance with this Act and for the purpose of paying the ordinary and contingent expenses of the Council. After June 30, 1999, pursuant to appropriation, all moneys in the Drycleaner Environmental Response Trust Fund may be used by the Council for the purpose of making disbursements, if any, in accordance with this Act and for the purpose of paying the ordinary and contingent expenses of the Council.
The Fund may be divided into different accounts with different depositories to fulfill the purposes of the Act as determined by the Council.
Moneys in the Fund at the end of a State fiscal year shall be carried forward to the next fiscal year and shall not revert to the General Revenue Fund.
(b) The specific purposes of the Fund include but are not limited to the following:
(1) To establish an account to fund remedial action

of drycleaning solvent releases from drycleaning facilities as provided by Section 40.

(2) To establish an insurance account for insuring

environmental risks from releases from drycleaning facilities within this State as provided by Section 45.

(c) The State, the General Revenue Fund, and any other Fund of the State, other than the Drycleaner Environmental Response Trust Fund, shall not be liable for a claim or cause of action in connection with a drycleaning facility not owned or operated by the State or an agency of the State. All expenses incurred by the Fund shall be payable solely from the Fund and no liability or obligation shall be imposed upon the State. The State is not liable for a claim presented against the Fund.
(d) The liability of the Fund is limited to the extent of coverage provided by the account under which a claim is submitted, subject to the terms and conditions of that coverage. The liability of the Fund is further limited by the moneys made available to the Fund, and no remedy shall be ordered that would require the Fund to exceed its then current funding limitations to satisfy an award or which would restrict the availability of moneys for higher priority sites.
(e) Nothing in this Act shall be construed to limit, restrict, or affect the authority and powers of the Agency or another State agency or statute unless the State agency or statute is specifically referenced and the limitation is clearly set forth in this Act.
(Source: P.A. 90-502, eff. 8-19-97; 91-453, eff. 8-6-99.)

(415 ILCS 135/15)
Sec. 15. Creation of Council.
(a) The Drycleaner Environmental Response Trust Fund Council is established and shall consist of the following voting members to be appointed by the Governor:
(1) Four members who own or operate a drycleaning

facility. These members shall serve 3 year terms, except that of the initial members appointed, one shall be appointed for a term of one year, one for a term of 2 years, and one for a term of 3 years.

(2) One member who represents wholesale distributors

of drycleaning solvents. This member shall serve for a term of 3 years.

(3) One member who represents the drycleaning

equipment manufacturers and vendor community. This member shall serve for a term of 3 years.

(4) One member with experience in financial markets

or the insurance industry. This member shall serve for a term of 3 years.

Each member shall have experience, knowledge, and expertise relating to the subject matter of this Act.
(b) The Governor may remove any member of the Council for incompetency, neglect of duty, or malfeasance in office after service on him or her of a copy of the written charges against him or her and after an opportunity to be publicly heard in person or by counsel in his or her own defense no earlier than 10 days after the Governor has provided notice of the opportunity to the Council member. Evidence of incompetency, neglect of duty, or malfeasance in office may be provided to the Governor by the Agency or the Auditor General following the annual audit described in Section 80.
(c) Members of the Council are entitled to receive reimbursement of actual expenses incurred in the discharge of their duties within the limit of funds appropriated to the Council or made available to the Fund. The Governor shall appoint a chairperson of the Council from among the members of the Council.
(d) The Attorney General's office or its designee shall provide legal counsel to the Council.
(Source: P.A. 93-201, eff. 1-1-04.)

(415 ILCS 135/20)
Sec. 20. Council rules.
(a) The Council may adopt rules in accordance with the emergency rulemaking provisions of Section 5-45 of the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act for one year after the effective date of this Act. Thereafter, the Council shall conduct general rulemaking as provided under the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act.
(b) The Council shall adopt rules regarding its practice and procedures for investigating and settling claims made against the Fund, determining reimbursement guidelines, coordinating with the Agency, and otherwise implementing and administering the Fund under this Act.
(c) The Council shall adopt rules regarding its practice and procedures to develop underwriting standards, establish insurance account coverage and risk factors, settle claims made against the insurance account of the Fund, determine appropriate deductibles or retentions in coverages or benefits offered under the insurance account of the Fund, determine reimbursement guidelines, and otherwise implement and administer the insurance account under this Act.
(d) The Council shall adopt rules necessary for the implementation and collection of insurance account premiums prior to offering insurance to an owner or operator of a drycleaning facility or other person.
(e) The Council shall adopt rules prescribing requirements for the retention of records by an owner or operator and the periods for which he or she must retain those records.
(f) The Council shall adopt rules describing the manner in which all disbursed moneys received from the Agency shall be deposited with a bank or savings and loan association to be approved by the Council. For purposes of this subsection, the Council shall be considered a public agency and, therefore, no bank or savings and loan association shall receive public funds from the Council, and the Council shall not make any investments, unless in accordance with the Public Funds Investment Act.
(g) All final Council decisions regarding the Fund or any reimbursement from the Fund and any decision concerning the classification of drycleaning solvents pursuant to subsection (a) of Section 65 of this Act and any notice of the assessment of civil penalties under Section 69 of this Act shall be subject to appeal to the Administrator of the Council, by the affected parties, within 60 days after the final decision. The Council shall determine by rule persons who have standing to appeal final Council decisions. Any written decision by the Administrator may be appealed to the Council within 60 days after the Administrator's final decision. Any decision by the Council may be appealed to the Council's administrative law judge within 60 days after the Council's final decision. Notice of any hearing provided for by this Act shall be given not less than 7 days before the day fixed for the hearing. An appeal of the administrative law judge's decision will be subject to judicial review in accordance with the Administrative Review Law.
Any decision not timely appealed shall become a final administrative decision without the necessity of a final administrative decision being issued and shall be deemed to be a final administrative decision.
The Council shall adopt rules relating to appeal procedures.
The Council may designate an attorney, employed by the Council or privately employed, to act as an administrative law judge to preside at any administrative hearing resulting from the appeal of a Council decision. The Council and the Department of Revenue are authorized to enter into an agreement whereby an administrative law judge employed by the Department may be assigned to preside at the administrative hearings.
Proof of the Council's administrative decision may be made at any administrative or legal proceeding by a reproduced copy of the Council's record relating to the decision under the certificate of the Council. A reproduced copy shall, without further proof, be admitted into evidence and shall be prima facie proof of the decision.
The provisions of the Administrative Review Law, and any rules adopted under the Administrative Review law by the Council, shall govern all proceedings for the judicial review of final administrative decisions of the Council. The term "administrative decision" has the same meaning as it does in Section 3-101 of the Code of Civil Procedure.
Venue for an administrative review action challenging the results of an administrative hearing upholding an administrative decision issued by the Council shall be proper in the Circuit Court of the county where the plaintiff has its principal place of business, or Sangamon County if the plaintiff's principal place of business is located outside Illinois.
(Source: P.A. 96-774, eff. 1-1-10.)

(415 ILCS 135/25)
Sec. 25. Powers and duties of the Council.
(a) The Council shall have all of the general powers reasonably necessary and convenient to carry out its purposes and may perform the following functions, subject to any express limitations contained in this Act:
(1) Take actions and enter into agreements necessary

to reimburse claimants for eligible remedial action expenses, assist the Agency to protect the environment from releases, reduce costs associated with remedial actions, and establish and implement an insurance program.

(2) Acquire and hold personal property to be used for

the purpose of remedial action.

(3) Purchase, construct, improve, furnish, equip,

lease, option, sell, exchange, or otherwise dispose of one or more improvements under the terms it determines. The Council may define "improvements" by rule for purposes of this Act.

(4) Grant a lien, pledge, assignment, or other

encumbrance on one or more revenues, assets of right, accounts, or funds established or received in connection with the Fund, including revenues derived from fees or taxes collected under this Act.

(5) Contract for the acquisition or construction of

one or more improvements or parts of one or more improvements or for the leasing, subleasing, sale, or other disposition of one or more improvements in a manner the Council determines.

(6) Cooperate with the Agency in the implementation

and administration of this Act to minimize unnecessary duplication of effort, reporting, or paperwork and to maximize environmental protection within the funding limits of this Act.

(7) Except as otherwise provided by law, inspect any

document in the possession of an owner, operator, service provider, or any other person if the document is relevant to a claim for reimbursement under this Section or may inspect a drycleaning facility for which a claim for benefits under this Act has been submitted.

(b) The Council shall pre-approve, and the contracting parties shall seek pre-approval for, a contract entered into under this Act if the cost of the contract exceeds $75,000. The Council or its designee shall review and approve or disapprove all contracts entered into under this Act. However, review by the Council or its designee shall not be required when an emergency situation exists. All contracts entered into by the Council shall be awarded on a competitive basis to the maximum extent practical. In those situations where it is determined that bidding is not practical, the basis for the determination of impracticability shall be documented by the Council or its designee.
(c) The Council may prioritize the expenditure of funds from the remedial action account whenever it determines that there are not sufficient funds to settle all current claims. In prioritizing, the Council may consider the following:
(1) the degree to which human health is affected by

the exposure posed by the release;

(2) the reduction of risk to human health derived

from remedial action compared to the cost of the remedial action;

(3) the present and planned uses of the impacted

property; and

(4) other factors as determined by the Council.
(d) The Council shall adopt rules allowing the direct payment from the Fund to a contractor who performs remediation. The rules concerning the direct payment shall include a provision that any applicable deductible must be paid by the drycleaning facility prior to any direct payment from the Fund.
(e) The Council may purchase reinsurance coverage to reduce the Fund's potential liability for reimbursement of remedial action costs.
(Source: P.A. 93-201, eff. 1-1-04.)

(415 ILCS 135/27)
Sec. 27. (Repealed).
(Source: P.A. 98-327, eff. 8-13-13. Repealed internally, eff. 1-1-16.)

(415 ILCS 135/30)
Sec. 30. Independent contractors retained by Council.
(a) A contract entered into to retain a person to act as the administrator of the Fund shall be subject to public bid, provided that no such contract shall be entered into without the review and approval of the Director of the Agency. The Council may enter into a contract or an agreement authorized under this Act with a person, the Agency, the Department of Revenue, other departments, agencies, or governmental subdivisions of this State, another state, or the United States, in connection with its administration and implementation of this Act.
(b) The Council may reimburse a public or private contractor retained pursuant to this Section for expenses incurred in the execution of a contract or agreement. Reimbursable expenses include the costs of performing duties or powers specifically delegated by the Council.
(Source: P.A. 93-201, eff. 1-1-04.)

(415 ILCS 135/35)
Sec. 35. Illinois Insurance Code exemptions. The Fund, including but not limited to insurance coverage offered under the insurance account, is not subject to the provisions of the Illinois Insurance Code. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Fund shall not be considered an insurance company or an insurer under the laws of this State and shall not be a member of nor be entitled to a claim against the Illinois Insurance Guaranty Fund.
(Source: P.A. 90-502, eff. 8-19-97.)

(415 ILCS 135/40)
Sec. 40. Remedial action account.
(a) The remedial action account is established to provide reimbursement to eligible claimants for drycleaning solvent investigation, remedial action planning, and remedial action activities for existing drycleaning solvent contamination discovered at their drycleaning facilities.
(b) The following persons are eligible for reimbursement from the remedial action account:
(1) In the case of claimant who is the owner or

operator of an active drycleaning facility licensed by the Council under this Act at the time of application for remedial action benefits afforded under the Fund, the claimant is only eligible for reimbursement of remedial action costs incurred in connection with a release from that drycleaning facility, subject to any other limitations under this Act.

(2) In the case of a claimant who is the owner of an

inactive drycleaning facility and was the owner or operator of the drycleaning facility when it was an active drycleaning facility, the claimant is only eligible for reimbursement of remedial action costs incurred in connection with a release from the drycleaning facility, subject to any other limitations under this Act.

(c) An eligible claimant requesting reimbursement from the remedial action account shall meet all of the following:
(1) The claimant demonstrates that the source of the

release is from the claimant's drycleaning facility.

(2) At the time the release was discovered by the

claimant, the claimant and the drycleaning facility were in compliance with the Agency reporting and technical operating requirements.

(3) The claimant reported the release in a timely

manner to the Agency in accordance with State law.

(4) (Blank).
(5) If the claimant is the owner or operator of an

active drycleaning facility, the claimant has provided to the Council proof of implementation and maintenance of the following pollution prevention measures:

(A) That all drycleaning solvent wastes generated

at a drycleaning facility be managed in accordance with applicable State waste management laws and rules.

(B) A prohibition on the discharge of wastewater

from drycleaning machines or of drycleaning solvent from drycleaning operations to a sanitary sewer or septic tank or to the surface or in groundwater.

(C) That every drycleaning facility:
(I) install a containment dike or other

containment structure around each machine, item of equipment, drycleaning area, and portable waste container in which any drycleaning solvent is utilized, which shall be capable of containing leaks, spills, or releases of drycleaning solvent from that machine, item, area, or container. The containment dike or other containment structure shall be capable of at least the following: (i) containing a capacity of 110% of the drycleaning solvent in the largest tank or vessel within the machine; (ii) containing 100% of the drycleaning solvent of each item of equipment or drycleaning area; and (iii) containing 100% of the drycleaning solvent of the largest portable waste container or at least 10% of the total volume of the portable waste containers stored within the containment dike or structure, whichever is greater.

Petroleum underground storage tank systems

that are upgraded in accordance with USEPA upgrade standards pursuant to 40 CFR Part 280 for the tanks and related piping systems and use a leak detection system approved by the USEPA or IEPA are exempt from this secondary containment requirement; and

(II) seal or otherwise render impervious

those portions of diked floor surfaces on which a drycleaning solvent may leak, spill, or otherwise be released.

(D) A requirement that all drycleaning solvent

shall be delivered to drycleaning facilities by means of closed, direct-coupled delivery systems.

(6) An active drycleaning facility has maintained

continuous financial assurance for environmental liability coverage in the amount of at least $500,000 at least since the date of award of benefits under this Section or July 1, 2000, whichever is earlier. An uninsured drycleaning facility that has filed an application for insurance with the Fund by January 1, 2004, obtained insurance through that application, and maintained that insurance coverage continuously shall be considered to have conformed with the requirements of this subdivision (6). To conform with this requirement the applicant must pay the equivalent of the total premiums due for the period beginning June 30, 2000 through the date of application plus a 20% penalty of the total premiums due for that period.

(7) The release was discovered on or after July 1,

1997 and before July 1, 2006.

(d) A claimant shall submit a completed application form provided by the Council. The application shall contain documentation of activities, plans, and expenditures associated with the eligible costs incurred in response to a release of drycleaning solvent from a drycleaning facility. Application for remedial action account benefits must be submitted to the Council on or before June 30, 2005.
(e) Claimants shall be subject to the following deductible requirements, unless modified pursuant to the Council's authority under Section 75:
(1) An eligible claimant submitting a claim for an

active drycleaning facility is responsible for the first $5,000 of eligible investigation costs and for the first $10,000 of eligible remedial action costs incurred in connection with the release from the drycleaning facility and is only eligible for reimbursement for costs that exceed those amounts, subject to any other limitations of this Act.

(2) An eligible claimant submitting a claim for an

inactive drycleaning facility is responsible for the first $10,000 of eligible investigation costs and for the first $10,000 of eligible remedial action costs incurred in connection with the release from that drycleaning facility, and is only eligible for reimbursement for costs that exceed those amounts, subject to any other limitations of this Act.

(f) Claimants are subject to the following limitations on reimbursement:
(1) Subsequent to meeting the deductible requirements

of subsection (e), and pursuant to the requirements of Section 75, reimbursement shall not exceed $300,000 per active drycleaning facility and $50,000 per inactive drycleaning facility.

(2) A contract in which one of the parties to the

contract is a claimant, for goods or services that may be payable or reimbursable from the Council, is void and unenforceable unless and until the Council has found that the contract terms are within the range of usual and customary rates for similar or equivalent goods or services within this State and has found that the goods or services are necessary for the claimant to comply with Council standards or other applicable regulatory standards.

(3) A claimant may appoint the Council as an agent

for the purposes of negotiating contracts with suppliers of goods or services reimbursable by the Fund. The Council may select another contractor for goods or services other than the one offered by the claimant if the scope of the proposed work or actual work of the claimant's offered contractor does not reflect the quality of workmanship required or if the costs are determined to be excessive, as determined by the Council.

(4) The Council may require a claimant to obtain and

submit 3 bids and may require specific terms and conditions in a contract subject to approval.

(5) The Council may enter into a contract or an

exclusive contract with the supplier of goods or services required by a claimant or class of claimants, in connection with an expense reimbursable from the Fund, for a specified good or service at a gross maximum price or fixed rate, and may limit reimbursement accordingly.

(6) Unless emergency conditions exist, a service

provider shall obtain the Council's approval of the budget for the remediation work before commencing the work. No expense incurred that is above the budgeted amount shall be paid unless the Council approves the expense prior to its being incurred. All invoices and bills relating to the remediation work shall be submitted with appropriate documentation, as deemed necessary by the Council.

(7) Neither the Council nor an eligible claimant is

responsible for payment for costs incurred that have not been previously approved by the Council, unless an emergency exists.

(8) The Council may determine the usual and customary

costs of each item for which reimbursement may be awarded under this Section. The Council may revise the usual and customary costs from time to time as necessary, but costs submitted for reimbursement shall be subject to the rates in effect at the time the costs were incurred.

(9) If a claimant has pollution liability insurance

coverage other than coverage provided by the insurance account under this Act, that coverage shall be primary. Reimbursement from the remedial account shall be limited to the deductible amounts under the primary coverage and the amount that exceeds the policy limits of the primary coverage, subject to the deductible amounts of this Act. If there is a dispute between the claimant and the primary insurance provider, reimbursement from the remedial action account may be made to the claimant after the claimant assigns all of his or her interests in the insurance coverage to the Council.

(g) The source of funds for the remedial action account shall be moneys allocated to the account by the Council according to the Fund budget approved by the Council.
(h) A drycleaning facility will be classified as active or inactive for purposes of determining benefits under this Section based on the status of the facility on the date a claim is filed.
(i) Eligible claimants shall conduct remedial action in accordance with the Site Remediation Program under the Environmental Protection Act and Part 740 of Title 35 of the Illinois Administrative Code and the Tiered Approach to Cleanup Objectives under Part 742 of Title 35 of the Illinois Administrative Code.
(j) Effective January 1, 2012, an active drycleaning facility that has previously received or is currently receiving reimbursement for the costs of a remedial action, as defined in this Act, shall maintain continuous financial assurance for environmental liability coverage in the amount of at least $500,000 until the earlier of (i) January 1, 2020 or (ii) the date the Council determines the drycleaning facility is an inactive drycleaning facility. Failure to comply with this requirement will result in the revocation of the drycleaning facility's existing license and in the inability of the drycleaning facility to obtain or renew a license under Section 60 of this Act.
(Source: P.A. 96-774, eff. 1-1-10; 97-377, eff. 1-1-12.)

(415 ILCS 135/45)
Sec. 45. Insurance account.
(a) The insurance account shall offer financial assurance for a qualified owner or operator of a drycleaning facility under the terms and conditions provided for under this Section. Coverage may be provided to either the owner or the operator of a drycleaning facility. The Council is not required to resolve whether the owner or operator, or both, are responsible for a release under the terms of an agreement between the owner and operator.
(b) The source of funds for the insurance account shall be as follows:
(1) Moneys appropriated to the Council or moneys

allocated to the insurance account by the Council according to the Fund budget approved by the Council.

(2) Moneys collected as an insurance premium,

including service fees, if any.

(3) Investment income attributed to the insurance

account by the Council.

(c) An owner or operator may purchase coverage of up to $500,000 per drycleaning facility subject to the terms and conditions under this Section and those adopted by the Council. Coverage shall be limited to remedial action costs associated with soil and groundwater contamination resulting from a release of drycleaning solvent at an insured drycleaning facility, including third-party liability for soil and groundwater contamination. Coverage is not provided for a release that occurred before the date of coverage.
(d) An owner or operator, subject to underwriting requirements and terms and conditions deemed necessary and convenient by the Council, may purchase insurance coverage from the insurance account provided that the drycleaning facility to be insured meets the following conditions:
(1) a site investigation designed to identify soil

and groundwater contamination resulting from the release of a drycleaning solvent has been completed. The Council shall determine if the site investigation is adequate. This investigation must be completed by June 30, 2006. For drycleaning facilities that apply for insurance coverage after June 30, 2006, the site investigation must be completed prior to issuance of insurance coverage; and

(2) the drycleaning facility is participating in and

meets all requirements of a drycleaning compliance program approved by the Council.

(e) The annual premium for insurance coverage shall be:
(1) For the year July 1, 1999 through June 30, 2000,

$250 per drycleaning facility.

(2) For the year July 1, 2000 through June 30, 2001,

$375 per drycleaning facility.

(3) For the year July 1, 2001 through June 30, 2002,

$500 per drycleaning facility.

(4) For the year July 1, 2002 through June 30, 2003,

$625 per drycleaning facility.

(5) For subsequent years, an owner or operator

applying for coverage shall pay an annual actuarially-sound insurance premium for coverage by the insurance account. The Council may approve Fund coverage through the payment of a premium established on an actuarially-sound basis, taking into consideration the risk to the insurance account presented by the insured. Risk factor adjustments utilized to determine actuarially-sound insurance premiums should reflect the range of risk presented by the variety of drycleaning systems, monitoring systems, drycleaning volume, risk management practices, and other factors as determined by the Council. As used in this item, "actuarially sound" is not limited to Fund premium revenue equaling or exceeding Fund expenditures for the general drycleaning facility population. Actuarially-determined premiums shall be published at least 180 days prior to the premiums becoming effective.

(e-5) If an insurer sends a second notice to an owner or operator demanding immediate payment of a past-due premium for insurance services provided pursuant to this Act, the demand for payment must offer a grace period of not less than 30 days during which the owner or operator shall be allowed to pay any premiums due. If payment is made during that period, coverage under this Act shall not be terminated for non-payment by the insurer.
(e-6) If an insurer terminates an owner or operator's coverage under this Act, the insurer must send a written notice to the owner or operator to inform him or her of the termination of that coverage, and that notice must include instructions on how to seek reinstatement of coverage, as well as information concerning any premiums or penalties that might be due.
(f) If coverage is purchased for any part of a year, the purchaser shall pay the full annual premium. The insurance premium is fully earned upon issuance of the insurance policy.
(g) The insurance coverage shall be provided with a $10,000 deductible policy.
(h) A future repeal of this Section shall not terminate the obligations under this Section or authority necessary to administer the obligations until the obligations are satisfied, including but not limited to the payment of claims filed prior to the effective date of any future repeal against the insurance account until moneys in the account are exhausted. Upon exhaustion of the moneys in the account, any remaining claims shall be invalid. If moneys remain in the account following satisfaction of the obligations under this Section, the remaining moneys and moneys due the account shall be used to assist current insureds to obtain a viable insuring mechanism as determined by the Council after public notice and opportunity for comment.
(Source: P.A. 98-327, eff. 8-13-13.)

(415 ILCS 135/50)
Sec. 50. Cost recovery; enforcement.
(a) The Council may seek recovery from a potentially responsible party liable for a release that is the subject of a remedial action and for which the Fund has expended moneys for remedial action. The amount of recovery sought by the Council shall be equal to all moneys expended by the Fund for and in connection with the remediation, including but not limited to reasonable attorneys fees and costs of litigation expended by the Fund in connection with the release.
(b) Except as provided in subsections (c) and (d):
(1) The Council shall not seek recovery for expenses

in connection with remedial action for a release from a claimant eligible for reimbursement except for any unpaid portion of the deductible.

(2) A claimant's liability for a release for which

coverage is admitted under the insurance account shall not exceed the amount of the deductible, subject to the limits of insurance coverage.

(c) Notwithstanding subsection (b), the liability of a claimant to the Fund shall be the total costs of remedial action incurred by the Fund, as specified in subsection (a), if the claimant has not complied with the Environmental Protection Act and its rules or with this Act and its rules.
(d) Notwithstanding subsection (b), the liability of a claimant to the Fund shall be the total costs of remedial action incurred by the Fund, as specified in subsection (a), if the claimant received reimbursement from the Fund through misrepresentation or fraud, and the claimant shall be liable for the amount of the reimbursement.
(e) Upon reimbursement by the Fund for remedial action under this Act, the rights of the claimant to recover payment from a potentially responsible party are assumed by the Council to the extent the remedial action was paid by the Fund. A claimant is precluded from receiving double compensation for the same injury. A claimant may elect to permit the Council to pursue the claimant's cause of action for an injury not compensated by the Fund against a potentially responsible party, provided the Attorney General or his or her designee determines the representation would not be a conflict of interest.
(f) This Section does not preclude, limit, or in any way affect any of the provisions of or causes of action pursuant to Section 22.2 of the Environmental Protection Act.
(Source: P.A. 90-502, eff. 8-19-97.)

(415 ILCS 135/55)
Sec. 55. Limitation on actions; admissions.
(a) An award or reimbursement made by the Council under this Act shall be the claimant's exclusive method for the recovery of the costs of drycleaning facility remediation.
(b) If a person conducts a remedial action activity for a release at a drycleaning facility site, whether or not the person files a claim under this Act, the claim and remedial action activity conducted are not evidence of liability or an admission of liability for any potential or actual environmental pollution or damage.
(Source: P.A. 90-502, eff. 8-19-97.)

(415 ILCS 135/60)
(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2020)
Sec. 60. Drycleaning facility license.
(a) On and after January 1, 1998, no person shall operate a drycleaning facility in this State without a license issued by the Council.
(b) The Council shall issue an initial or renewal license to a drycleaning facility on submission by an applicant of a completed form prescribed by the Council, proof of payment of the required fee to the Department of Revenue, and, if the drycleaning facility has previously received or is currently receiving reimbursement for the costs of a remedial action, as defined in this Act, proof of compliance with subsection (j) of Section 40. Beginning January 1, 2013, license renewal application forms must include a certification by the applicant that all hazardous waste stored at the drycleaning facility is stored in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations, and that all hazardous waste transported from the drycleaning facility is transported in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations. Also, beginning January 1, 2013, license renewal applications must include copies of all manifests for hazardous waste transported from the drycleaning facility during the previous 12 months or since the last submission of copies of manifests, whichever is longer. If the Council does not receive a copy of a manifest for a drycleaning facility within a 3-year period, or within a shorter period as determined by the Council, the Council shall make appropriate inquiry into the management of hazardous waste at the facility and may share the results of the inquiry with the Agency.
(c) On or after January 1, 2004, the annual fees for licensure are as follows:
(1) $500 for a facility that uses (i) 50 gallons or

less of chlorine-based or green drycleaning solvents annually, (ii) 250 or less gallons annually of hydrocarbon-based drycleaning solvents in a drycleaning machine equipped with a solvent reclaimer, or (iii) 500 gallons or less annually of hydrocarbon-based drycleaning solvents in a drycleaning machine without a solvent reclaimer.

(2) $500 for a facility that uses (i) more than 50

gallons but not more than 100 gallons of chlorine-based or green drycleaning solvents annually, (ii) more than 250 gallons but not more 500 gallons annually of hydrocarbon-based solvents in a drycleaning machine equipped with a solvent reclaimer, or (iii) more than 500 gallons but not more than 1,000 gallons annually of hydrocarbon-based drycleaning solvents in a drycleaning machine without a solvent reclaimer.

(3) $500 for a facility that uses (i) more than 100

gallons but not more than 150 gallons of chlorine-based or green drycleaning solvents annually, (ii) more than 500 gallons but not more than 750 gallons annually of hydrocarbon-based solvents in a drycleaning machine equipped with a solvent reclaimer, or (iii) more than 1,000 gallons but not more than 1,500 gallons annually of hydrocarbon-based drycleaning solvents in a drycleaning machine without a solvent reclaimer.

(4) $1,000 for a facility that uses (i) more than 150

gallons but not more than 200 gallons of chlorine-based or green drycleaning solvents annually, (ii) more than 750 gallons but not more than 1,000 gallons annually of hydrocarbon-based solvents in a drycleaning machine equipped with a solvent reclaimer, or (iii) more than 1,500 gallons but not more than 2,000 gallons annually of hydrocarbon-based drycleaning solvents in a drycleaning machine without a solvent reclaimer.

(5) $1,000 for a facility that uses (i) more than 200

gallons but not more than 250 gallons of chlorine-based or green drycleaning solvents annually, (ii) more than 1,000 gallons but not more than 1,250 gallons annually of hydrocarbon-based solvents in a drycleaning machine equipped with a solvent reclaimer, or (iii) more than 2,000 gallons but not more than 2,500 gallons annually of hydrocarbon-based drycleaning solvents in a drycleaning machine without a solvent reclaimer.

(6) $1,000 for a facility that uses (i) more than 250

gallons but not more than 300 gallons of chlorine-based or green drycleaning solvents annually, (ii) more than 1,250 gallons but not more than 1,500 gallons annually of hydrocarbon-based solvents in a drycleaning machine equipped with a solvent reclaimer, or (iii) more than 2,500 gallons but not more than 3,000 gallons annually of hydrocarbon-based drycleaning solvents in a drycleaning machine without a solvent reclaimer.

(7) $1,000 for a facility that uses (i) more than 300

gallons but not more than 350 gallons of chlorine-based or green drycleaning solvents annually, (ii) more than 1,500 gallons but not more than 1,750 gallons annually of hydrocarbon-based solvents in a drycleaning machine equipped with a solvent reclaimer, or (iii) more than 3,000 gallons but not more than 3,500 gallons annually of hydrocarbon-based drycleaning solvents in a drycleaning machine without a solvent reclaimer.

(8) $1,500 for a facility that uses (i) more than 350

gallons but not more than 400 gallons of chlorine-based or green drycleaning solvents annually, (ii) more than 1,750 gallons but not more than 2,000 gallons annually of hydrocarbon-based solvents in a drycleaning machine equipped with a solvent reclaimer, or (iii) more than 3,500 gallons but not more than 4,000 gallons annually of hydrocarbon-based drycleaning solvents in a drycleaning machine without a solvent reclaimer.

(9) $1,500 for a facility that uses (i) more than 400

gallons but not more than 450 gallons of chlorine-based or green drycleaning solvents annually, (ii) more than 2,000 gallons but not more than 2,250 gallons annually of hydrocarbon-based solvents in a drycleaning machine equipped with a solvent reclaimer, or (iii) more than 4,000 gallons but not more than 4,500 gallons annually of hydrocarbon-based drycleaning solvents in a drycleaning machine without a solvent reclaimer.

(10) $1,500 for a facility that uses (i) more than

450 gallons but not more than 500 gallons of chlorine-based or green drycleaning solvents annually, (ii) more than 2,250 gallons but not more than 2,500 gallons annually of hydrocarbon-based solvents used in a drycleaning machine equipped with a solvent reclaimer, or (iii) more than 4,500 gallons but not more than 5,000 gallons annually of hydrocarbon-based drycleaning solvents in a drycleaning machine without a solvent reclaimer.

(11) $1,500 for a facility that uses (i) more than

500 gallons but not more than 550 gallons of chlorine-based or green drycleaning solvents annually, (ii) more than 2,500 gallons but not more than 2,750 gallons annually of hydrocarbon-based solvents in a drycleaning machine equipped with a solvent reclaimer, or (iii) more than 5,000 gallons but not more than 5,500 gallons annually of hydrocarbon-based drycleaning solvents in a drycleaning machine without a solvent reclaimer.

(12) $1,500 for a facility that uses (i) more than

550 gallons but not more than 600 gallons of chlorine-based or green drycleaning solvents annually, (ii) more than 2,750 gallons but not more than 3,000 gallons annually of hydrocarbon-based solvents in a drycleaning machine equipped with a solvent reclaimer, or (iii) more than 5,500 gallons but not more than 6,000 gallons annually of hydrocarbon-based drycleaning solvents in a drycleaning machine without a solvent reclaimer.

(13) $1,500 for a facility that uses (i) more than

600 gallons of chlorine-based or green drycleaning solvents annually, (ii) more than 3,000 gallons but not more than 3,250 gallons annually of hydrocarbon-based solvents in a drycleaning machine equipped with a solvent reclaimer, or (iii) more than 6,000 gallons of hydrocarbon-based drycleaning solvents annually in a drycleaning machine equipped without a solvent reclaimer.

(14) $1,500 for a facility that uses more than 3,250

gallons but not more than 3,500 gallons annually of hydrocarbon-based solvents in a drycleaning machine equipped with a solvent reclaimer.

(15) $1,500 for a facility that uses more than 3,500

gallons but not more than 3,750 gallons annually of hydrocarbon-based solvents used in a drycleaning machine equipped with a solvent reclaimer.

(16) $1,500 for a facility that uses more than 3,750

gallons but not more than 4,000 gallons annually of hydrocarbon-based solvents in a drycleaning machine equipped with a solvent reclaimer.

(17) $1,500 for a facility that uses more than 4,000

gallons annually of hydrocarbon-based solvents in a drycleaning machine equipped with a solvent reclaimer.

For purpose of this subsection, the quantity of drycleaning solvents used annually shall be determined as follows:
(1) in the case of an initial applicant, the quantity

of drycleaning solvents that the applicant estimates will be used during his or her initial license year. A fee assessed under this subdivision is subject to audited adjustment for that year; or

(2) in the case of a renewal applicant, the quantity

of drycleaning solvents actually purchased in the preceding license year.

The Council may adjust licensing fees annually based on the published Consumer Price Index - All Urban Consumers ("CPI-U") or as otherwise determined by the Council.
(d) A license issued under this Section shall expire one year after the date of issuance and may be renewed on reapplication to the Council and submission of proof of payment of the appropriate fee to the Department of Revenue in accordance with subsections (c) and (e). At least 30 days before payment of a renewal licensing fee is due, the Council shall attempt to:
(1) notify the operator of each licensed drycleaning

facility concerning the requirements of this Section; and

(2) submit a license fee payment form to the licensed

operator of each drycleaning facility.

(e) An operator of a drycleaning facility shall submit the appropriate application form provided by the Council with the license fee in the form of cash, credit card, business check, or guaranteed remittance to the Department of Revenue. The Department may accept payment of the license fee under this Section by credit card only if the Department is not required to pay a discount fee charged by the credit card issuer. The license fee payment form and the actual license fee payment shall be administered by the Department of Revenue under rules adopted by that Department.
(f) The Department of Revenue shall issue a proof of payment receipt to each operator of a drycleaning facility who has paid the appropriate fee in cash or by guaranteed remittance, credit card, or business check. However, the Department of Revenue shall not issue a proof of payment receipt to a drycleaning facility that is liable to the Department of Revenue for a tax imposed under this Act. The original receipt shall be presented to the Council by the operator of a drycleaning facility.
(g) (Blank).
(h) The Council and the Department of Revenue may adopt rules as necessary to administer the licensing requirements of this Act.
(Source: P.A. 96-774, eff. 1-1-10; 97-332, eff. 8-12-11; 97-377, eff. 1-1-12; 97-663, eff. 1-13-12; 97-813, eff. 7-13-12; 97-1057, eff. 1-1-13.)

(415 ILCS 135/65)
(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2020)
Sec. 65. Drycleaning solvent tax.
(a) On and after January 1, 1998, a tax is imposed upon the use of drycleaning solvent by a person engaged in the business of operating a drycleaning facility in this State at the rate of $3.50 per gallon of perchloroethylene or other chlorinated drycleaning solvents used in drycleaning operations, $0.35 per gallon of petroleum-based drycleaning solvent, and $1.75 per gallon of green solvents, unless the green solvent is used at a virgin facility, in which case the rate is $0.35 per gallon. The Council shall determine by rule which products are chlorine-based solvents, which products are petroleum-based solvents, and which products are green solvents. All drycleaning solvents shall be considered chlorinated solvents unless the Council determines that the solvents are petroleum-based drycleaning solvents or green solvents.
(b) The tax imposed by this Act shall be collected from the purchaser at the time of sale by a seller of drycleaning solvents maintaining a place of business in this State and shall be remitted to the Department of Revenue under the provisions of this Act.
(c) The tax imposed by this Act that is not collected by a seller of drycleaning solvents shall be paid directly to the Department of Revenue by the purchaser or end user who is subject to the tax imposed by this Act.
(d) No tax shall be imposed upon the use of drycleaning solvent if the drycleaning solvent will not be used in a drycleaning facility or if a floor stock tax has been imposed and paid on the drycleaning solvent. Prior to the purchase of the solvent, the purchaser shall provide a written and signed certificate to the drycleaning solvent seller stating:
(1) the name and address of the purchaser;
(2) the purchaser's signature and date of signing; and
(3) one of the following:
(A) that the drycleaning solvent will not be used

in a drycleaning facility; or

(B) that a floor stock tax has been imposed and

paid on the drycleaning solvent.

(e) On January 1, 1998, there is imposed on each operator of a drycleaning facility a tax on drycleaning solvent held by the operator on that date for use in a drycleaning facility. The tax imposed shall be the tax that would have been imposed under subsection (a) if the drycleaning solvent held by the operator on that date had been purchased by the operator during the first year of this Act.
(f) On or before the 25th day of the 1st month following the end of the calendar quarter, a seller of drycleaning solvents who has collected a tax pursuant to this Section during the previous calendar quarter, or a purchaser or end user of drycleaning solvents required under subsection (c) to submit the tax directly to the Department, shall file a return with the Department of Revenue. The return shall be filed on a form prescribed by the Department of Revenue and shall contain information that the Department of Revenue reasonably requires, but at a minimum will require the reporting of the volume of drycleaning solvent sold to each licensed drycleaner. The Department of Revenue shall report quarterly to the Council the volume of drycleaning solvent purchased for the quarter by each licensed drycleaner. Each seller of drycleaning solvent maintaining a place of business in this State who is required or authorized to collect the tax imposed by this Act shall pay to the Department the amount of the tax at the time when he or she is required to file his or her return for the period during which the tax was collected. Purchasers or end users remitting the tax directly to the Department under subsection (c) shall file a return with the Department of Revenue and pay the tax so incurred by the purchaser or end user during the preceding calendar quarter.
Except as provided in this Section, the seller of drycleaning solvents filing the return under this Section shall, at the time of filing the return, pay to the Department the amount of tax imposed by this Act less a discount of 1.75%, or $5 per calendar year, whichever is greater. Failure to timely file the returns and provide to the Department the data requested under this Act will result in disallowance of the reimbursement discount.
(g) The tax on drycleaning solvents used in drycleaning facilities and the floor stock tax shall be administered by Department of Revenue under rules adopted by that Department.
(h) On and after January 1, 1998, no person shall knowingly sell or transfer drycleaning solvent to an operator of a drycleaning facility that is not licensed by the Council under Section 60.
(i) The Department of Revenue may adopt rules as necessary to implement this Section.
(j) If any payment provided for in this Section exceeds the seller's liabilities under this Act, as shown on an original return, the seller may credit such excess payment against liability subsequently to be remitted to the Department under this Act, in accordance with reasonable rules adopted by the Department. If the Department subsequently determines that all or any part of the credit taken was not actually due to the seller, the seller's discount shall be reduced by an amount equal to the difference between the discount as applied to the credit taken and that actually due, and the seller shall be liable for penalties and interest on such difference.
(Source: P.A. 100-1171, eff. 1-4-19.)

(415 ILCS 135/67)
Sec. 67. Certification of registration. On and after January 1, 1998, no person shall engage in the business of selling drycleaning solvents in this State without a certificate of registration issued by the Department of Revenue. A person, officer or director of a corporation, partner or member of a partnership, or manager or member of a limited liability company who engages in the business of selling drycleaning solvents in this State without a certificate of registration issued by the Department of Revenue is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor. A person, manager or member of a limited liability company, officer or director of a corporation, or partner or member of a partnership who engages in the business of selling drycleaning solvents in this State after the certificate of registration has been revoked is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor. Each day that the person, officer or director of the corporation, manager or member of the limited liability company, or partner or member of the partnership is engaged in business without a certificate of registration, or after the certification of registration has been revoked, constitutes a separate offense.
A purchaser who obtains a registration number or resale number from the Department of Revenue through misrepresentation, who represents to a seller that the purchaser has a registration number or a resale number from the Department of Revenue when he or she knows that he or she does not have the number, or who knowingly uses his or her registration number or resale number to make a seller believe that he or she is buying drycleaning solvents for resale when the purchaser in fact knows that is not the purpose of the purchase, is guilty of a Class 4 felony.
(Source: P.A. 90-502, eff. 8-19-97.)

(415 ILCS 135/68)
Sec. 68. Incorporation by reference. All of the provisions of Sections 2a and 2b of the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act shall apply to persons in the business of selling drycleaning solvents in this State to the same extent as if those Sections were included in this Act. All of the provisions of Section 4 (except that the time limitation provision shall run from the date when the tax is due rather than from the date when gross receipts are received), Section 5 (except that the time limitation provisions on the issuance of notices of tax liability shall run from the date when the tax is due rather than from the date when gross receipts are received), 5a, 5b, 5c, 5e, 5f, 5g, 5i, 5j, 6, 6a, 6b, 6c, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 11a, and 12 of the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act, Sections 3-45, 9, and 10 of the Use Tax Act, and all applicable provisions of the Uniform Penalty and Interest Act that are not inconsistent with the Act, shall apply to sellers of drycleaning solvents and operators of drycleaning facilities to the same extent as if those provisions were included in this Act. Reference in the incorporated Sections of the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act to retailers, sellers, or persons engaged in the business of selling tangible personal property shall mean sellers of drycleaning solvents when used in this Act. Reference in the incorporated Sections to sales of tangible personal property shall mean sales of drycleaning solvents when used in this Act.
(Source: P.A. 90-502, eff. 8-19-97.)

(415 ILCS 135/69)
Sec. 69. Civil penalties.
(a) Except as provided in this Section, any person who violates any provision of this Act or any regulation adopted by the Council, or any license or registration or term or condition thereof, or that violates any order of the Council under this Act, shall be liable for a civil penalty as provided in this Section. The penalties may, upon order of the Council or a court of competent jurisdiction, be made payable to the Drycleaner Environmental Response Trust Fund, to be used in accordance with the provisions of the Drycleaner Environmental Response Trust Fund Act.
(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) of this Section:
(1) Any person who violates subsection (a) of Section

60 of this Act by failing to pay the license fee when due may be assessed a civil penalty of $5 per day for each day after the license fee is due until the license fee is paid. The penalty shall be effective for license fees due on or after July 1, 1999 and before June 30, 2011. For license fees due on or after July 1, 2011, any person who violates subsection (a) of Section 60 of this Act by failing to pay the license fee when due may be assessed a civil penalty, beginning on the 31st day after the license fee is due, in the following amounts: (i) beginning on the 31st day after the license fee is due and until the 60th day after the license fee is due, $3 for each day during which the license fee is not paid and (ii) beginning on the 61st day after the license fee is due and until the license fee is paid, $5 for each day during which the license fee is not paid.

(2) Any person who violates subsection (d) or (h) of

Section 65 of this Act shall be liable for a civil penalty not to exceed $500 for the first violation and a civil penalty not to exceed $5,000 for a second or subsequent violation.

(3) Any person who violates Section 67 of this Act

shall be liable for a civil penalty not to exceed $100 per day for each day the person is not registered to sell drycleaning solvents.

(c) The Council shall issue an administrative assessment setting forth any penalties it imposes under subsection (b) of this Section and shall serve notice of the assessment upon the party assessed. The Council's determination shall be deemed correct and shall serve as evidence of the correctness of the Council's determination that a penalty is due. Proof of a determination by the Council may be made at any administrative hearing or in any legal proceeding by a reproduced copy or computer print-out of the Council's record relating thereto in the name of the Council under the certificate of the Council.
If reproduced copies of the Council's records are offered as proof of a penalty assessment, the Council must certify that those copies are true and exact copies of records on file with the Council. If computer print-outs of the Council's records are offered as proof of a determination, the Council Chairman must certify that those computer print-outs are true and exact representations of records properly entered into standard electronic computing equipment, in the regular course of the Council's business, at or reasonably near the time of the occurrence of the facts recorded, from trustworthy and reliable information. A certified reproduced copy or certified computer print-out shall, without further proof, be admitted into evidence in any administrative or legal proceeding and is prima facie proof of the correctness of the Council's determination.
Whenever notice is required by this Section, the notice may be given by United States registered or certified mail, addressed to the person concerned at his last known address, and proof of mailing shall be sufficient for the purposes of this Act. Notice of any hearing provided for by this Act shall be given not less than 7 days before the day fixed for the hearing. Following the initial contact of a person represented by an attorney, the Council shall not contact that person but shall only contact the attorney representing that person.
(d) The penalties provided for in this Section may be recovered in a civil action instituted by the Attorney General in the name of the people of the State of Illinois.
(e) The Attorney General may also, at the request of the Council or on his or her own motion, institute a civil action for an injunction, prohibitory or mandatory, to restrain violations of this Act, any rule or regulation adopted under this Act, any license or registration or term or condition of a license or registration, or any Council order, or to require other actions as may be necessary to address violations thereof.
(f) Without limiting any other authority which may exist for the awarding of attorney's fees and costs, the Council, or a court of competent jurisdiction, may award costs and reasonable attorney's fees, including the reasonable costs of expert witnesses and consultants, to the Attorney General in a case where the Attorney General has prevailed against a person who has committed a willful, knowing, or repeated violation of this Act, any rule or regulation adopted under this Act, any license or registration or term or condition of a license or registration, or any Council order. Any funds collected under this subsection (f) in which the Attorney General has prevailed shall be deposited in the Drycleaner Environmental Response Trust Fund created in Section 10 of this Act.
(g) All final orders imposing civil penalties under this Section shall prescribe the time for payment of the penalties. If any penalty is not paid within the time prescribed, interest on the penalty shall be paid, at the rate set forth in Section 3-2 of the Illinois Uniform Penalty and Interest Act, for the period from the date payment is due until the date payment is received. However, if the time for payment is stayed during the pendency of an appeal, interest shall not accrue during the stay.
(Source: P.A. 96-774, eff. 1-1-10; 97-332, eff. 8-12-11.)

(415 ILCS 135/70)
Sec. 70. Deposit of fees and taxes. All license fees and taxes collected by the Department of Revenue under this Act shall be deposited into the Fund, less 4% of the moneys collected which shall be deposited by the State Treasurer into the Tax Compliance and Administration Fund and shall be used, subject to appropriation, by the Department of Revenue to cover the costs of the Department in collecting the license fees and taxes under this Act, and less an amount sufficient to provide refunds under this Act.
(Source: P.A. 90-502, eff. 8-19-97.)

(415 ILCS 135/75)
Sec. 75. Adjustment of fees and taxes. Beginning January 1, 2000, and annually after that date, the Council shall adjust the copayment obligation of subsection (e) of Section 40, the drycleaning solvent taxes of Section 65, the license fees of Section 60, or any combination of adjustment of each, after notice and opportunity for public comment, in a manner determined necessary and appropriate to ensure viability of the Fund and to encourage the owner or operator of a drycleaning facility to use green solvents. Viability of the Fund shall consider the settlement of all current claims subject to prioritization of benefits under subsection (c) of Section 25, consistent with the purposes of this Act.
(Source: P.A. 93-201, eff. 1-1-04.)

(415 ILCS 135/80)
Sec. 80. Audits and reports.
(a) The accounts, books, and other financial records of the Council, including but not limited to its receipts, disbursements, contracts, and other matters relating to its finance, operation, and affairs, shall be examined and audited annually by the Auditor General in accordance with the audit standards under the Illinois State Auditing Act. This audit shall be provided to the Agency for review.
(b) Upon request by the Auditor General, the Council shall retain a firm of certified public accountants to examine and audit the Council as described in subsection (a) on behalf of the Auditor General.
(c) The accounts, books, and other financial records of the Council shall be maintained in accordance with the State Records Act and accepted accounting practices established by the State.
(Source: P.A. 90-502, eff. 8-19-97; 91-453, eff. 8-6-99.)

(415 ILCS 135/85)
Sec. 85. Repeal of fee and tax provisions. Sections 60 and 65 of this Act are repealed on January 1, 2020.
(Source: P.A. 93-201, eff. 1-1-04.)

(415 ILCS 135/150)
Sec. 150. (Amendatory provisions; text omitted).
(Source: P.A. 90-502, eff. 8-19-97; text omitted.)

(415 ILCS 135/200)
Sec. 200. (Amendatory provisions; text omitted).
(Source: P.A. 90-502, eff. 8-19-97; text omitted.)

(415 ILCS 135/250)
Sec. 250. (Amendatory provisions; text omitted).
(Source: P.A. 90-502, eff. 8-19-97; text omitted.)

(415 ILCS 135/999)
Sec. 999. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon becoming law.
(Source: P.A. 90-502, eff. 8-19-97.)