As the new top environment cop in Illinois, James Jennings knew coming in his job would be challenging no matter who won the presidential election.
The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency is rebuilding under Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker after more than a decade spent shedding inspectors, slowing the policing of air and water pollution and feuding with the state attorney general’s office.
Jen Walling, executive director of the nonprofit Illinois Environmental Council, worries state lawmakers won’t have the political will to respond to Trump’s expected cuts to the U.S. EPA. Unlike other state agencies funded with general tax collections, the Illinois EPA’s budget depends solely on federal grants and permit fees.
“No matter how exceptional (Jennings) may be, he’s going to be faced with decisions that already were made for him during the past decade,” Walling said.
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