At least on paper, air quality is regulated under the Illinois Environmental Protection Act. According to this law, if air contamination impedes neighbors' quality of life, citizens can file complaints and IEPA can pursue enforcement actions. In an ongoing case, the Illinois attorney general is suing a Henderson County hog producer under contract to an Iowa-based corporation for multiple violations of air contamination rules. However, citizens find they must prod IEPA to exercise its clean air authority when it comes to farm factories. Citizen Involvement Public hearings are only required when a county board requests one for a facility that will be using a lagoon.
Public hearings are informational only.
No permits are restricted or denied with this process. County boards and citizens cannot request hearings for new facilities that will not be using a lagoon. Prior to construction, facilities must notify property owners and the Illinois Department of Agriculture. This is the only type of notice required. 28 Local Control Local governments have no control over factory farms despite their impact on communities.