“The IEPA today is mostly focused on permitting,” said Jennifer Walling, CEO of the Illinois Environmental Council. “When you have a new facility or your permit expires, putting together a permit to allow you to engage in whatever polluting activity you like. They do have inspectors to inspect, fine violations and maybe do a compliance agreement and then enforcement, and there is some space for policy. But if you look at IEPA decades ago, IEPA used to do its own research. There was an entire institute that advised the Pollution Control Board on science, and the review of science in making administrative rulings. These things don’t exist anymore.”
Chicago and Illinois Remain Committed to Achieving Climate Goals Despite Threats to Federal Funding
February 1, 2025
Environmental leaders believe grants and other sources of funding will allow them to continue cutting pollution, even if federal money isn’t available following the change