Opinion ID: 3134718
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: facts

Text: In May 1996, the State, through its Attorney General, filed a complaint before the Board captioned “People of the State of Illinois v. ESG Watts, Inc.” The State alleged that Watts had violated the Illinois Environmental Protection Act (415 ILCS 5/1 et seq. (West 1994)) by failing to update closure cost estimates or provide adequate cost assurances for a sanitary landfill it had been operating. In February 1998, after conducting a hearing and receiving evidence, the Board found Watts liable and imposed a $256,000 fine. In March 1998, Watts filed a petition for administrative review of the Board’s decision. Watts petitioned directly to the appellate court, as required by the Act. See 415 ILCS 5/41(a) (West 1994). However, the only respondent Watts named in the petition was the Board. The Board moved to dismiss the action, contending that the appellate court lacked jurisdiction because Watts had not named the State as a respondent. The appellate court granted the Board’s motion and dismissed the case. No. 4–98–0229 (unpublished order under Supreme Court Rule 23). We granted Watts’ petition for leave to appeal. See 177 Ill. 2d R. 315(a).