Illinois environmental justice bill would help residents prevent pollution

Read the full story at Energy News Network.

Illinois activists who led fights to close coal plants and ban petroleum coke storage are now leading the charge for a bill that would provide new powers and funding to environmental justice communities.

The legislation (HB4093/ SB2906) would create a more robust community participation and oversight process for new industry in environmental justice areas. It would also expand the definition of environmental justice communities and direct funds from violations directly to those communities, among other provisions.  

See also ‘Environmental justice’ law appears dead as community, business groups clash in Wednesday’s Chicago Sun-Times. According to the story, “Despite pleas from residents concerned about their health, a bill to protect overburdened communities from more pollution doesn’t have the votes in Springfield to pass during an election year.”