2023 Illinois Compiled Statutes › Chapter 415 - ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY › 415 ILCS 155/ - Environmental Justice Act.

(415 ILCS 155/1)
Sec. 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the Environmental Justice Act.
(Source: P.A. 97-391, eff. 8-16-11.)
(415 ILCS 155/5)
Sec. 5. Legislative findings. The General Assembly finds that:
(i) the principle of environmental justice requires     that no segment of the population, regardless of race, national origin, age, or income, should bear disproportionately high or adverse effects of environmental pollution;
(ii) certain communities in the State may suffer     disproportionately from environmental hazards related to facilities with permits approved by the State; and
(iii) these environmental hazards can cause long-term     health effects.
(Source: P.A. 97-391, eff. 8-16-11.)
(415 ILCS 155/10)
Sec. 10. Commission on Environmental Justice.
(a) The Commission on Environmental Justice is established and  consists of the following 24 voting members:
(1) 2 members of the Senate, one appointed by the     President of the Senate and the other by the Minority Leader of the Senate, each to serve at the pleasure of the appointing officer;
(2) 2 members of the House of Representatives, one     appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the other by the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, each to serve at the pleasure of the appointing officer;
(3) the following ex officio members: the Director of     Commerce and Economic Opportunity or his or her designee, the Director of the Environmental Protection Agency or his or her designee, the Director of Natural Resources or his or her designee, the Director of Public Health or his or her designee, the Secretary of Transportation or his or her designee, and a representative of the housing office of the Department of Human Services appointed by the Secretary of Human Services;  and
(4) 14 members appointed by the Governor who     represent the following interests:
(i) at least 4 members of affected communities         concerned with environmental justice;
(ii) at least 2 members of business organizations         including one member representing a statewide organization representing manufacturers and one member representing an organization representing the energy sector;
(iii) environmental organizations;
(iv) experts on environmental health and         environmental justice;
(v) units of local government;
(vi) members of the general public who have an         interest or expertise in environmental justice; and
(vii) at least 2 members of labor organizations         including one member from a statewide labor federation representing more than one international union and one member from an organization representing workers in the energy sector.
(b) Of the initial members of the Commission     appointed by the Governor, 5 shall serve for a 2-year term and 5 shall serve for a 1-year term, as designated by the Governor at the time of appointment. The members appointed by the Governor for terms beginning before the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 102nd General Assembly shall serve 2-year terms. Members appointed by the Governor for terms beginning on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 102nd General Assembly shall serve 4-year terms. Vacancies   shall be filled in the same manner as appointments. Members of the Commission appointed by the Governor may not receive compensation for their service on the Commission and are not entitled to reimbursement for expenses.
(c) The Governor shall designate a Chairperson from among the Commission's members. The Commission shall meet at the call of the Chairperson, but no later than  90 days after the effective date of this Act and at least quarterly thereafter.
(d) The Commission shall:
(1) advise State entities on environmental justice     and related community issues;
(2) review and analyze the impact of current State     laws and policies on the issue of environmental justice and sustainable communities;
(3) assess the adequacy of State and local laws to     address the issue of environmental justice and sustainable communities;
(4) develop criteria to assess whether communities in     the State may be experiencing environmental justice issues; and
(5) recommend options to the Governor for addressing     issues, concerns, or problems related to environmental justice that surface after reviewing State laws and policies, including prioritizing areas of the State that need immediate attention.
(e) On or before October 1, 2011 and each October 1 thereafter, the Commission shall report its findings and recommendations to the Governor and General Assembly.
(f) The Environmental Protection Agency  shall provide administrative and other support to the Commission.
(Source: P.A. 102-1129, eff. 2-10-23.)
(415 ILCS 155/99)
Sec. 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon becoming law.
(Source: P.A. 97-391, eff. 8-16-11.)