ILLINOIS ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY 

1021 NORTH GRAND AVENUE EAsT, P.O. Box 19276, SPI\INGFIELD, ILLINOIS 62794·9276 • (217) 782-3397 

PAT QUINN, GOVERNOR JOHN J. KIM, INTERIM DIRECTOR 

217/785-4140 

217/782-9143 (TDD) 

December 31, 2012 

Ms. Susan Hedman 

Regional Administrator 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region V 

77 West Jackson Boulevard (R-19) 

Chicago, Illinois 60604-3507 

Re: The State of Illinois' II O(a) SIP Requirements for the 2008 NAAQS for Lead 

Dear Ms. Hedman: 

I am writing to confirm that the State of Illinois continues to retain the resources necessary to 

evaluate ambient air quality, develop plans to attain new and existing ambient air quality 

standards, meet the applicable requirements of the new source review program, and effectively 

enforce all applicable requirements. Specifically, the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency 

("Illinois EPA") has the authority and resources to implement and satisfactorily complete the 

requirements listed below as set fmth in Section 110 of the Clean Air Act ("CAA'') for the 

current National Ambient Air Quality Standards ("NAAQS"). Specifically, the Illinois EPA 

meets the current applicable requirements ofSectionl!O of the CAA for the 2008 revision for 

the NAAQS for Lead. 

The State Implementation Plan ("SIP") elements listed below are required under 

Section II O(a)(l) and (2). Section II O(a)(l) provides the procedural and timing requirements for 

SIPs. Section II O(a)(2) lists the basic or "infi·astructure" elements that all SIPs must contain. 

Emission limits and other control measures: Section II O(a)(2)(A) requires SIPs to include 

enforceable emission limitations and other control measures, means or techniques, as well as 

schedules for compliance, as appropriate to meet the applicable requirements of the CAA. 

The Illinois EPA continues to monitor and implement needed revisions to its SIP. The Illinois 

Environmental Protection Act ("Act") provides the Illinois EPA with the authority to develop 

rules and regulations necessary to meet ambient air quality standards. 415 ILCS 5/4. The Act 

also created the Illinois Pollution Control Board ("Board") and grants the Board the authority to 

develop rules and regulations necessary to promote the purposes of the Act, and furthermore, that 

are required by law, that are otherwise part of the State's attainment plan and are necessary to 

attain the NAAQS, or that are necessary to comply with the requirements of the federal CAA. 

415 ILCS 5/10. 

4302 N. Moin St., Rockford, IL 61103 (815)987-7760 

595 S. State, Elgin, IL 60123 (847)608-3131 

2125 S. First St., Champaign, IL 61820 (217)278-5800 

2009 Moll St., Collinsville, IL 6223.4 (618)346-5120 

PLEASE PRINT ON RECYCLED PAPER 

9511 Hol'l'ison St., Das Ploines,ll60016 {847)29.4-.4000 

5407 N. University St., Arbor 113, Peorio,ll61614 {309)693-5462 

2309 W. Main St., Suile 116, Marion, tl62959 (618)993-7200 

100 W. Randolph, Suile 10..300, Chicago, IL 60601 (312)814-6026 
Ambient air quality monitoring data system: Section 110(a)(2)(B) requires SIPs to provide for 

the establishment and operation of ambient air quality monitors, and procedures necessary to 

monitor, compile and analyze ambient air quality data. 

In accordance with its SIP, the Illinois EPA continues to operate an extensive monitoring 

network incorporating more than 200 monitors that track the measurements of a variety of 

pollutants and air toxic compounds throughout the State. The Illinois EPA publishes an annual 

report, most recently the Illinois Annual Air Quality Report 2010, that describes the monitoring 

network and summarizes the measurements for the year. The Illinois EPA also prepares and 

publishes for public comment its plans for the coming year. USEPA provides approval of the 

plan in advance of each calendar year. All reports and data are routinely shared with the USEP A 

or readily available to the USEP A upon request. The 2012 Illinois Air Monitoring Network Plan 

is available on the Illinois EPA's website: http://www.epa.state.il.us/air/monitoring/illinoisambient-air-monitoring-network-plan-2012.pdf 

Program for enforcement, PSD and NSR: Section 110(a)(2)(C) requires States to include a 

program providing for the enforcement of all SIP measures and the regulation of construction of 

new or modified stationary sources to meet prevention of significant deterioration ("PSD") and 

nonattainment New Source Review ("NSR") requirements. 

The Illinois EPA continues to staff and implement a vigorous enforcement program that includes 

the Compliance Section and Division of Legal of Counsel. Section 4 of the Act provides the 

Director with the authority to implement and administer this program. 415 ILCS 5/4. In 

Illinois, enforcement actions are brought by the Office of the Illinois Attorney General or local 

States' Attorney offices, with whom the Illinois EPA consults. Illinois enforces all terrns of our 

PSD and nonattainment NSR construction and operating permits. 

EPA's guidance for the lead infrastructure SIP includes PSD programs that address the 

construction or modification of major stationary sources in order that these sources do not 

contribute to, or cause a violation of, the lead NAAQS. The guidance also states that PSD 

programs adequately address sources that emit greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions consistent with 

EPA's Tailoring Rule. Illinois EPA administers the Federal PSD regulations under 40 CFR 

52.21. These regulations contain provisions specific to lead, as well as the appropriate Federal 

threshold for the permitting ofGHG emitting sources. Therefore, requirements related to PSD 

for this section have been met. 

Interstate and International transport provisions: Section 110(a)(2)(D)(i) requires SIPs to 

include provisions preventing any source or other type of emissions activity in one state from 

contributing significantly to nonattaimnent, or interfering with maintenance, of the NAAQS in 

another state, or from interfering with measures required to prevent significant deterioration of 

air quality or to protect visibility in another state. 

As a primary pollutant, and due to the physical properties of lead, the pollutant does not involve 

the same formation and travel considerations of pollutants such as ozone or particulate matter. 

Lead concentrations decrease sharply as the distance from sources oflead emission increases, as 
noted in USEP A guidance documents. Further, dispersion modeling in Illinois also indicates that 

significant lead concentrations are located very close to the emission sources, and decrease 

sharply, and to the point of insignificance at Illinois' borders in all cases. Consequently, it is 

unlikely that sources oflead emission in Illinois would contribute significantly to nonattainment 

or maintenance of the NAAQS in another state or country. With respect to the PSD 

requirements of section 11 O(a)(2)(D)(i), we reiterate that Illinois EPA administers the Federal 

PSD regulations, and therefore Illinois satisfies the applicable PSD requirements of section 

110(a)(2)(D). EPA approved our regional haze SIP on July 6, 2012, therefore meeting the 

visibility requirements of this section. 

Section 110(a)(2)(D)(ii) requires SIPs to contain provisions that address section 115 and section 

126 of the Clean Air Act. Illinois has no pending obligations under section 115 of the Clean Air 

Act, which pertains to international pollution abatement. With respect to the requirements of 

section 126(a), which requires Illinois to notify states of new or modified sources, we administer 

the Federal PSD regulations per 40 CFR 52.21 which contain the necessary provisions to satisfy 

the applicable requirement of section 126(a). Furthermore, Illinois has no obligations under 

section 126(b), which pertains to petitions for finding that major sources emit or would emit 

prohibited air pollutants. 

Adequate resources: Section 110(a)(2)(E) requires states to provide for adequate personnel, 

funding, and legal authority under state law to carry out its SIP, and related obligations. 

On July 12, 2011 Governor Quinn signed into law Public Act 097-0095/House Billl297 (the full 

text can be found at: http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/publicacts/97/097-0095.htm). The revisions 

to the Act increase operating permit fees in Illinois and provide additional funding for the Clean 

Air Act Permit fund. Including the revisions to the Act, State appropriations provide $61.1 

million of appropriations for the Illinois EPA Bureau of Air programs and 292 full time 

equivalent staffing positions (see: 

www.ilga.gov/legislation/96/HB/PDF/09600HB0859sam003.pdf). In combination with the 

funding provided by the Illinois EPA's Performance Partnership Agreement ("PPA") with 

USEP A, Illinois has the resources to carry out the required air programs. The Act provides the 

Director, in conjunction with the Board, with the legal authQrity to develop rules and regulations 

necessary to meet ambient air quality standards and respond to any EPA findings of inadequacy 

with the Illinois SIP program [415 ILCS 5/4 and 10]. The Board may also enact regulations that 

are required by law, that are otherwise part of the State's attainment plan and are necessary to 

attain the national ambient air quality standards, or that are necessary to comply with the 

requirements of the federal CAA. 415 ILCS 5110. 

Section 110(a)(2)(E) also requires states to comply with the requirements respecting state boards 

per section 128 of the Clean Air Act. Board Member Rules can be found under Part 101 of 

Illinois Administrative Code Title 35, Subtitle A, Chapter 1. Further rules addressing the state 

board requirements of section 128 can be found in 5 ILCS 420/, 5 ILCS 430/, and Illinois 

Executive Order 10. 
Stationary source monitoring system: Section 110(a)(2)(F) requires states to establish a system 

to monitor emissions from stationary sources and to submit periodic emissions reports. 

The Act gives the Illinois EPA and the Board the authority to require regulated sources to install 

and operate monitoring equipment, to perfonn emissions testing, and to submit emission reports, 

dependent on applicable requirements and the type of pennit issued to the source, to the Bureau 

of Air for review. All reasonable efforts are made to maximize the effectiveness of available 

resources to review the required reports. 

Emergency episodes: Section 110(a)(2)(G) requires states to provide for authority to address 

activities causing imminent and substantial endangerment to public health, including 

contingency plans to implement the emergency episode provisions in their SIPs. 

Section 34 of the Act allows the Illinois EPA to declare alerts upon a finding that episode or 

emergency conditions exist. 415 ILCS 5/34. Further, Section 43(a) of the Act authorizes the 

Illinois EPA to request a State's Attorney of the Office of Illinois Attorney General to seek 

immediate injunctive relief in circumstances of substantial danger to the environment or to the 

public health of persons [415 ILCS 5/43(a)]. Thus, the Illinois EPA has the necessaryauthority 

to address activities causing imminent and substantial endangerment to public health, as required 

by Section 110(a)(2)(G). 

Future SIP revisions: Section IIO(a)(2)(H) requires states to have the authority to revise their 

SIPs in response to changes in the NAAQS, availability of improved methods for attaining the 

NAAQS, or in response to a USEP A finding that the SIP is substantially inadequate. 

The Act provides the Director, in conjunction with the Board, with the authority to develop rules 

and regulations necessary to meet ambient air quality standards and respond to any USEP A 

findings of inadequacy with the Illinois SIP program [415 ILCS 5/4 and 10]. 

Nonattainment area plan or plan revision under Part D: Section IIO(a)(2)(I) references 

nonattainment area planning. Although there are two lead nonattainment areas in Illinois 

(Granite City and Chicago), planning requirements for these areas are on a different schedule 

than general infrastructure SIP elements. EPA's guidance does not expect states to include these 

planning requirements as part of the infrastructure SIP. 

Consultation with government officials, public notification, PSD and visibility protection 

Section II O(a)(2)(J) requires consultation with government officials. Specifically, this section 

requires states to provide a process for consultation with local governments and Federal Land 

Managers carrying out NAAQS implementation requirements pursuant to Section 121 relating to 

consultation. 

The Illinois EPA is required to give notice to the Office of the Attorney General and the Illinois 

Department ofNatural Resources during the rulemaking process. The Illinois EPA provides 

notice to both entities during every rulemaking and includes each as a stakeholder during 

outreach. The Illinois EPA further provides notice to reasonably anticipated stakeholders and 
interested parties. The Illinois EPA also gives notice to the Federal Land Manager ("FLM") if 

the rulemaking applies to Federal land which the FLM has authority over. Finally, the Illinois 

EPA consults with the States ofindiana, Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota, and Ohio and USEP A 

through its membership in the Lake Michigan Air Directors' Consortium ("LADCO"), and 

consults with the State of Missouri through a process established in a Memorandum of 

Agreement ("MOA"). 

Public notification: Section II O(a)(2)(J) further requires States to notify the public ifNAAQS 

are exceeded in an area and to enhance public awareness of measures that can be taken to 

prevent exceedances. 

The Illinois EPA and the Cook County Department of Environmental Control routinely monitor 

air quality throughout the state and notify the public when unhealthful air quality is measured or 

forecasted. The Illinois EPA provides air quality data to USEP A's AlRNOW program, and also 

provides the daily air quality index ("AQI") to the media. In addition, the Illinois EPA provides 

the AQI to local stakeholder groqps, Partners for Clean Air in Chicago and the Clean Air 

Partnership in St. Louis, who post the information on-line. Through these collaborative efforts, 

the Illinois EPA and the Cook County Department of Environmental Control provides 

information to the public on measures that can be taken to prevent exceedances and this 

information is also posted on the Illinois EPA's website. 

PSD and visibility protection: Section 110(a)(2)(J) also requires States to meet applicable 

requirements of Part C related to prevention of significant deterioration and visibility protection. 

The Illinois EPA is addressing both the long tenn requirements to meet natural visibility levels 

by 2064 and the ongoing review of new major sources and major modifications under Illinois' 

approved PSD new source review program. On January 26, 2012 US EPA proposed approval for 

Illinois' regional haze SIP, including provisions to implement Best Available Retrofit 

Technology ("BART") (77 FR 3966). Final approval of Illinois' regional haze SIP was 

published on July 6, 2012. 

Illinois EPA provides public notice for all SIP revisions and public hearings for those revisions 

when requested. Requirements for consultation with other govennnent officials and PSD 

requirements have been addressed in other sections of this document. Specifically, PSD 

requirements have been included in the discussion addressing section 11 O(a)(2)(C), and to 

reiterate- Illinois EPA administers the Federal PSD regulations per 40 CFR 52.21; therefore, the 

applicable requirements for section 110(a)(2)(J) regarding PSD have been met. 

Air quality modeling/data: Section 11 O(a)(2)(K) requires that SIPs provide for perfonning air 

quality modeling for predicting effects on air quality of emissions for any NAAQS pollutant and 

submission of such data to USEP A upon request. 

The Illinois EPA maintains a capability to perform modeling of the air quality impacts of 

emissions of all criteria pollutants, including the capability to use complex photochemical grid 
models. The Illinois EPA performs modeling in support of the SIP for all nonattainment areas in 

the State. The Illinois EPA also requires air quality modeling in support of permitting the 

construction of major and some minor new sources under the PSD program. These modeling 

studies are thoroughly documented and are available to the USEP A and the public upon request. 

Furthermore, the Illinois EPA participates in multi-state regional modeling efforts, including 

participation and providing funding for LADCO. LADCO conducts regional modeling that is 

utilized for statewide planning purposes. · 

Permitting fees: Section 110(a)(2)(L) requires SIPs to require each major stationary source to 

pay permitting fees to cover the cost of reviewing, approving, implementing and enforcing a 

permit. 

The Illinois EPA continues to implement the approved Title V operating permit program as set 

forth in Section 39.5 of the Act, and that includes requiring major sources to pay permit fees 

[415 ILCS 5/39.5]. The Illinois EPA also requires fees from applicants ofpotential new or 

modified sources in the form of construction permit application fees. 

Consultation/participation by affected local entities: Section 11 0( a)(2)(M) requires States to 

provide for consultation and participation in SIP development by local political subdivisions 

affected by the SIP. 

The Illinois EPA follows approved procedures for allowing public participation, consistent with 

3 5 Ill. Adm. Code Part 164, Procedures for Infonnational and Quasi-Legislative Public Hearings, 

and 35 Ill. Adm. Code Part 252, Public Participation in the Air Pollution Control Pennit 

Program. Part 252 is an approved portion of Illinois' SIP. 

Based on the information provided in these discussions, I believe that the Illinois EPA meets or 

exceeds all of the necessary CAA Section 110 infrastructure needs, enabling us to continue to 

satisfy those requirements of the CAA. Ifthere are any questions, please feel free to contact 

Buzz Asselmeier (217-524-4343), or myself. 

0 

Interim Director 

Illinois Environmental Protection Agency 

Attachments 
PAT QUINN 

GOVERNOR 

December 18, 2012 

Interim Director John J. Kim 

OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR 

)RTC, 100 W. RANDOLPH, Sum 16-100 

(HIG\CO, ILLINOIS 60601 

lllinois Environmental Protection Agency 

1021 North Grand Avenue, East 

P.O. Box 19276 

Springfield, IL 62794-9276 

Re: Authorization to submit State Inlplementation Plan revisions 

Dear Interim Director Kim: 

I hereby designate the Director of the lllinois Environmental Protection Agency with the 

authority to sign all State Inlplementation Plans, revisions, and other supporting documents 

submitted on behalf of the State of lllinois to the United States Environmental Protection 

Agency. As Interim Director, you are granted the same authority during your tenure as Interim 

Director. 

Governor 

State of lllinois 
Asselmeier, Buzz 

From: Frost, Brad 

Sent: 

To: 

Tuesday, October 30, 2012 3:56 PM 

Asselmeier, Buzz 

Subject: Lead Infrastructure SIP comments 

Buzz, 

We received no comments or requests for hearing during the recent comment period for the Lead Infrastructure SIP 

which ended on October 24, 2012. 

Brad 

Brad Frost 

Office of Community Relations 

Illinois EPA 

1021 North Grand Avenue, East 

PO Box 19506 

Springfield, IL 62794-9506 

217/782-7027 

217/524-5023 fax 

brad.frost@illinois.gov 

1 
Asselmeier, Buzz 

From: Frost, Brad 

Sent: 

To: 

Wednesday, October 31, 2012 9:49AM 

Asselmeier, Buzz 

The notice was sent to the following Affected States, 

Andy Stewart, Wisconsin 

Doug Campbell, Iowa 

Linda McDonald, Missouri 

Mary Douglas, Michigan 

James Morse, Kentucky 

Patty Pear, Indiana 

Michael Stansfield, Missouri 

In addition the following persons have requested to be notified of Agency notices and were e-mailed a copy of the 

notice. 

Maria Chavez, Pilsen Environmental Rights and Reform Organization (PERRO) 

Ken Page, Illinois EPA Environmental Justice Coordinator 

Ann Alexander, Natural Resources Defense Council 

Amy Funk, UIUC 

Verena Owen, Sierra Club 

ConstantineBiathras, USEPA 

Brian lmus, Illinois Public Interest Resource Group (PIRG) 

Brian Urbaszewski, Respiratory Health Association of Greater Chicago 

David Ogulei, USEPA 

Faith Bugel; Environmental Law and Policy Center 

Heidi Hanson 

James Giampietro, Sierra Club 

Kathy Hodge, Hodge Dwyer and Zeman 

Kristin Henry, Sierra Club 

Lionel Trepanier, Chicago Greens 

Danny Marcus, USEPA 

Rick Diericx, Ameren 

Senator Dick Durbin 

Susan Zingle 

Angela Tin, American Lung Association 

Tom Shepherd, Southeast Environmental Task Force 

Kathleen Logan-Smith, Washington University 

Andrea Gross, Washington University 

Kathy Andria, American Bottoms 

Christine Favilla, Sierra Club 

Robert Kuehn, Washington University 

John Cross, the Illinois EPA Legislative Liaison, also sent the notice to General Assembly members. 

Brad Frost 

Office of Community Relations 

Illinois EPA 

1021 North Grand Avenue, East 

PO Box 19506 

Springfield, IL 62794-9506 

1 
Illinois Enviromnental Protection Agency 

Public Notice Order Fonn 

Division: Air Pennits 

Ordered By: Bradley Frost Phone: 217/782-7027 

Public Notice Number: SIP12- 001 

Newspaper or location where ad is to be placed: Taylorville, The Breeze-Courier 

Run Date(s): 9/24/2012 

Special Instr-uctions: 

Ad is to run as an ROP Display- NOT as a legal notice 

Please typeset and border ad copy. Ad Size: 2 x 5 

Authorizing Name: Brad Frost Date: September 18, 2012 
Illinois Enviromnental Protection Agency 

Notice ofinfrastructure State Implementation Plan Submittal 

to Address Lead 

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (Illinois EPA) is sending notice for 

co1mnent concerning the submittal of an Infrastrncture State Implementation Plan for the 

2008 National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) for Lead. The Illinois EPA is 

required to submit an Infrastrncture State Implementation Plan to the United States 

Environmental Protection Agency (USEP A) under Section 110 (a) (2) of the Federal 

Clean Air Act (CAA) conceming the capabilities of such Agency to implement, maintain 

and enforce the lead protection requirements within the State of Illinois already 

functioning in the State Implementation Plan (SIP). 

An infi"astrncture plan informs the USEP A that Illinois EPA is able to maintain current 

monitoring and modeling data systems, enforcement and permitting programs including 

New Source Review and Prevention of Significant Deterioration, has adequate :resources 

with current funding, and has authority for existing regulations involving the lead 

NAAQS. Illinois EPA believes that all the requirements under the Infrastrncture State 

Implementation Plan have been met. This plan will be submitted for :review and approval 

as a revision to the SIP and meets the Federal :requirements as set fmth under Title 40: 

Protection of the Environment, Prui 51- Requirements for Preparation, Adoption, ru1d 

Submittal ofimplementation Plans. 

This infrastrncture plan is not a notice for new rnle development or revision of existing 

rnles. Any future revisions to existing rnles or creation of new rnles will follow proper 

procedures, including public connnent a11d opportunity for a hearing. 

The complete Infi"astrncture State Implementation Plan can be reviewed online at 

http://www.epa.state.il.us/public-notices/ and at the Illinois EPA offices at 1021 Nmih 

Grand Avenue East, Springfield, 217/782-7027, 2009 Mall Street, Collinsville, 618/346-

5120, and 9511 West HaJ.Tison in Des Plaines, 847/294-4000 (for all locations, please call 

ahead to assure that someone will be available to assist you). 

The Illinois EPA is accepting c01m11ents on the Infi·astrncture State Implementation Plan. 

Connnents must be postmarked by midnight October 24, 2012. Connnents or requests 

for public heru·ing concerning the Infi·astrncture State Implementation Plan can be mailed 

to Brad Frost, Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, Bureau of Air, 1021 Nmih 

Grru1d Ave., East, P.O. Box 19276, Springfield, IL 62794-9276 or emailed to 

Brad.Frost@illinois.gov. 
\.YLORVILLE, ILLINOIS www.breeze-courier.com 

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New SARS-Iike virus detected 

(API - Brltlsh health 

authorities have alerted the 

U.N. of a new respiratory 

vtrus In a severely til patlenl 

from Qatar. 

The man was sickened by 

a coronavlrus, which causes 

most common colds but also 

causl}s SARS, or severe 

acute respiratory syndrome. 

In 2003, SARS lcllled hundreds of people, moslly tn 

Asia, In a short-lived outbreak. 

Britain's Health 

Protection Agency satd In a 

statement late Sunday that 

the 49-year-old patient had 

recently traveled to Saudi 

Arabia. 

The U.N. health agency 

says virus samples from the 

pallent were almosl identical to those of a 60-year-old 

Saudi national who died 

earlier lhls year. 

The World Health 

Organization says It Is tryIng to determine the pubHc 

health Implications of the 

two cases but isn't currently recommending travel 

restrictions. 

ACT now the more popular exam 

(API - Average national 

scores on two of the three 

sections of the SAT college 

entrance exam edged down 

for the high school class of 

2012, which was the first In 

which more students took the 

rival ACT exam than the SAT, 

The ACT narrowly surpassed the SAT, by fewer 

than 2,000 test-takers out of 

about 1.65 mlllton who took 

each exam, But the crossover Is no surprise. The number taking the ACT- historically more popular in the 

central states with the SAT 

more popular on the East 

and West coasts - has been 

growing more rapidly, partly 

because the ACT is now 

lalten by virtually all stu.-

dents In nine states under 

the state testing regimen. 

Delaware Is the only state 

with 100 percent SAT partlclpatlon, though In most 

Northeastern states participation Is at least 75 percent. 

BecauSe of the wide geographic variations In participation, comparisons among 

average stale scores are not 

considered meaningful. 

Nationally, average scores 

on the critical reading and 

writing sections. of the SAT 

fell one point each, to 496 

and 488, respectively, while 

matl1 scores were steady at 

514, lndicaltng stagnant 

achievement overall In a 

gradually widening and 

increasingly diverse pool of 

lest-takers. The maximum 

score on each section Is 800, 

and 360 students nationwide 

scored a perfect 2.400. 

The College Board, the 

non-profit membership 

organtzaUon of schools and 

colleges that owns the exam, 

also said Its annual SAT 

report Monday that 43 percent of test-takers met a 

benchmark score Indicating a 

65 percent likelihood they 

can achieve a B-mlnus average during the first year of 

college. The figure was 

unchanged from a year ago. 

Males continued to score 

slightly better on critical 

reading and math, and 

females better on writing. 

TWs year's SAT figures also 

continued to show substantial gaps between racial 

groups. Asian-Americans, for 

instance, scored on average 

595 ln math - 59 points 

higher than white students 

and 167 higher than black 

students. 

Onllne: 

http:/ /press.collegeboard.org/sat 

Bill Nye 'The Science Guy warns: 

Creation views threaten US science 

LOtnSVILLE, Ky. (AP]-Thc 

man known to a generation of 

Americans as ''The Science 

Guy" Is condemning efforts by 

some Christian groups to cast 

doubts on evolution and lawmakers who want to bring· the 

Bible lnlo science classrooms. 

Bill Nye, a mechanical engineer and star of Ute popular 

1990s 1V show "Bill Nye The 

Science Guy," has waded Into 

the evolution debate with un 

online video that urges par'-

ents not to pass their religious-based doubts about evolution on to their children, 

Nye has spent a career 

leaching science to chlldren 

and teens with good-natured 

and sometimes sUiy humor, 

but has not been known to 

delve into topics as divisive as 

evolution. 

Christians who view the stories of the Old Testament as 

historical fact have come to be 

known as creationists, and 

many argue that the world 

was created by God just a few 

thousand years ago. 

"'l11e Earth Is not 6,000 or 

10,000 years old," Nyc saJd in 

an Interview with The 

A<oQntol.,l't•rl Prr>"'-f'l f'lflna !'l~le.nUtal protects lcachers who let 

students criticize evolution 

and other scientific theories. 

That echoes a Louisiana law 

passed In 2008 that allows 

teachers to tnlroduce supplemental leaching materials In 

science classes. 

"If we raise a generation of 

students who don't believe In 

the process of science, who 

think everything that we've 

come to lmow about nature 

and the nniverse can be dismissed by a few sentences 

translated Into English from 

some ancient text, you're not 

going to continue to Innovate,'' 

Nyc said in a wide-ranging 

telephone Interview. 

The brief online video was 

not Nyc's first foray Into the 

combustible debate, but "It's 

the first time it's gotten to be 

such a blg deal." 

"I can sec where one gets so 

caught up In this (debate] that 

you say something that will 

galvanize people In a bad way, 

that will malte them hate you 

forever," he said. "But I 

emphasize that I'm not questioning someone's religion -

much of that Is how you were 

brou!!ht uo." 

Eve. 

The group produced a 

response video featurtng two 

scientists who say the Bible 

has the true account of Earth's 

origins, and that "children 

should be exposed to boU1 

ideas concerning our past." 

Nye, who Is prone to Inject 

dry humor Into scientific discussions, said Earth Is about 

4.5 btlllon years old. 

"What I find troubling, when 

you listen to these people •.. 

once In a while I get the 

Impression that they're not 

lctddlng,'' Nye said. 

J{cn Ham, a co-founder of 

Answers tn Genesis, said dating methods used by scientists 

to measure tl1e age of the earth 

are contradictory and many 

don't point to millions or btllions ofyears of time. 

"We say the only dating 

method that Is absolute Is the 

Word of God," Ham said. ''Time 

Is the crucial factor for Bill 

Nyc. Without the time of mUllons of years, you can't postulate evolution change .. , 

America is home to the 

world's biggest creationist following, Ham said, and the $27 

million Creation Muscttm has 

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 24,2012 PAGE 7 

Congratulations 

Don &Jackie Broaddus 

We wish your many years of success. 

\1\\\Durbtn 

PLUMBING 

110 Richardson Ave. 

Kincaid 

237-2640 

!nsurad & Bonded u ....... , ..... 

Notice of Infrastructure State Implementation Plan Submittal 

to Address Lead 

The Illinois Environmental Proleclion Agency (Illinois EPA) Is sending notice lor 

commenl concerning !he submillal of an lnfraslructure Slate lmp!emenlal!on Plan 

forlhe 2008 Naliona!AmblentAir Quality Standard (NAAQS) lor Lead. The !ITinois 

EPA Is required to submlt an lnlraslruclure Slate lmplemenlalion Plan to lhe 

Unite<! Slates Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) under Section 110 (a) 

(21 of lhe Fe<! era! Clean Air Act (CAA) concerning the capabmlles of such Agency 

to lmp!emenl, maintain and enforce the lead protection requirements within the 

Slate oltllinols already functioning In the Stale lmptemenlalion Plan (SIP). 

An Infrastructure plan !nfonns the USEPA !hal Illinois EPA Is able to maintain current monitoring and modeling dala systems, enforcement and pennilling programs Including New Source Review and Prevenlion of Signilicanl Delerioratlon, 

has adequate resources with current flndlng, and has authority lor existing regu· 

lations Involving !he lead NAAQS. llllnols EPA bel!eves that all the requirements 

under the lnlraslruclure Slate Implementation Plan have been met. This plan will 

be submitted for rev!aw and approval as a revision to the SIP and meals !he 

Federal requirements as set forth under TI\Ie 40: ProlecUon of the Environment, 

Part 51 - Requiremenls for Preparalion, Adoplion, and Subml!lal of 

!mplemen!allon Plans. 

This infrastruclure plan Is no! a nollce for new rule development or revision of existIng rules. Any future revls!ons to exlsllng rules or creation of new rules will follow 

proper procedures, Including publlo commenl and opportunity lor a hearing. 

The oomplele lnfrastruclure Slate Implementation Plan can be reviewed online a! 

htlp:llwviW.epa.slate.\1.usfpubfio-nolicesf and at the Illinois EPA offices a! 1021 

Norlh Grand Avenue Easl, Springfield, 217{782·7027, 2009 Mall Street, 

Colflnsville, 6181 346·5120, and 951"1 Wesl Han1son !n Des Plaines, 8471294-4000 

(for a\1 locations, please call ahead to assure !hal someone wm be avanab!e lo 

asslsl you). 

The Illinois EPA is accepting comments on the Infrastructure Slate lmpfemenla!lon 

Plan. Commenls must be postmarked by mldllghl October 24, 2012. Comments 

or requesls for pUblic hearing concerning !he lnfraslruclure Stale Implementation 

Plan can be mailed to Brad Frost, llllnois Environmental Prolec\lon Agency, 

Bureau of Air, 1021 North Grand Ave., East, P.O. Box 19276, Springfield, 1L62794· 

9276 or emailed to Brad.Frost@iiiTnols.gov. 

Tuesday Night 

Steaks 1 /2 Price 

Flavored Martini of the week s5oo 

VVednt!sd:cty Night 

l/3lb. hamburger & fries 

1

4.50 

l/3tb ·blue cheese stuffed 

hamburger & fries 

1

5.50