IllinoisIllinois law will require extra review for some air permits
Starting in 2027, Illinois’s environmental agency reviews certain air construction permits for community effects and tells people how to request a hearing.
What it does
Starting in 2027, the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency reviews certain air pollution construction permits for effects on nearby communities and sends notice explaining how people can request a hearing.
The Agency evaluates safeguards such as monitoring or operating limits, and considers further steps if its analysis finds disproportionate harm to a community.
An Office of Environmental Justice coordinates the Agency’s work on environmental justice, language access, and public outreach in affected areas.
Argument forPeople near proposed projects may get notice and request a hearing, while added monitoring or pollution controls could help address local risks.
Argument againstApplicants could face more review and added permit conditions, which may make it harder to plan projects or estimate what approval will require.
More detail
The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency must review certain air pollution construction permit applications for effects on nearby communities. Covered areas include Agency-identified census block groups in the statewide top 25% under the law’s combined pollution and socioeconomic measures, plus areas within one mile. Covered permits involve specified new or existing sources, including some seeking higher permitted emissions or a first major operating permit. The Agency determines whether the source is in an area of environmental justice concern, whether the applicant can reduce or voluntarily limit emissions, and whether more air quality modeling is needed. The Agency sends notice to elected officials, community groups, and people who asked to be notified. The notice explains the project and how to request a public hearing. These requirements apply to applications filed on or after January 1, 2027.
The Agency evaluates whether permit conditions are needed to address possible emission increases and may do further analysis to guide its permit decision. These steps concern permit applications covered by the law and possible effects on an area of environmental justice concern. Possible permit conditions include monitoring, pollution controls, operating limits, and more emissions testing. If the Agency finds disproportionate and harmful effects, it must consider further project analysis or permit changes, prioritizing inspections or grant funding, and consulting other agencies about ways to reduce harm. These evaluations take place during review of covered permit applications.
The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency has an Office of Environmental Justice, led by an officer appointed by the Agency’s Director. The Office works within the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency. The Act took effect when it became law.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Aug 7Public Act . . . . . . . . . 104-0827Latest
- Aug 7Effective Date August 7, 2026
- Aug 7Governor J. B. Pritzker ApprovedBecame Law
- Jun 26Sent to the GovernorTo Governor
- May 30Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Anna Moeller
- Vote recorded Third Reading. Result: pass.Lower
- May 30Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Dagmara Avelar
- May 30Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Maura Hirschauer
- May 30Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. La Shawn K. Ford
- May 30Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Ann M. Williams
- May 30Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz
- May 30Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Justin Slaughter
- May 30Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Mary Beth Canty
- May 30Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Kelly M. Cassidy
- May 30Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Kevin John Olickal
- May 30Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Theresa Mah
- May 30Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Aarón M. Ortíz
- May 30Passed Both Houses
- May 30Third Reading - Short Debate - Passed 073-039-000Passed House
- May 30Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading - Short Debate
- May 22Third Reading/Final Action Deadline Extended-9(b) May 31, 2026
- May 19Held on Calendar Order of Second Reading - Short DebateMinor
- May 19Second Reading - Short DebateMinor
- May 18Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Michelle Mussman
- May 15Added Alternate Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Sonya M. Harper
- May 14Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Diane Blair-Sherlock
- May 13Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Mike Porfirio
- May 13Placed on Calendar 2nd Reading - Short DebateMinor
- May 12Do Pass / Short Debate Energy & Environment Committee; 016-009-000
- Vote recorded Do Pass. Result: pass.Lower
- May 12Fiscal Note Filed
- May 11Fiscal Note Requested by Rep. Brad Halbrook
- May 7Committee Deadline Extended-Rule 9(b) May 15, 2026
- May 7Alternate Chief Sponsor Changed to Rep. Lilian Jiménez
- May 5Assigned to Energy & Environment CommitteeMinor
- May 5Referred to Rules Committee
- May 5First ReadingMinor
- May 5Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Robyn Gabel
- Apr 30Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. David Koehler
- Apr 30Chief House Sponsor Rep. Will Guzzardi
- Apr 29Arrived in HouseMinor
- Vote recorded Third Reading. Result: pass.Upper
- Apr 29Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Laura Ellman
- Apr 29Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Sara Feigenholtz
- Apr 29Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Adriane L. Johnson
- Apr 29Third Reading - Passed; 043-011-000Passed Senate
- Apr 17Rule 2-10 Third Reading Deadline Established As May 8, 2026
- Apr 17Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Javier L. Cervantes
- Apr 16Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading April 28, 2026
- Apr 16Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Adopted; VillanuevaMajor
- Apr 16Second ReadingMinor
- Apr 15Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Recommend Do Adopt Executive; 011-002-000
- Vote recorded Do Pass, Amendment 1. Result: pass.Upper
- Apr 15Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Assignments Refers to Executive
- Apr 14Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Referred to Assignments
- Apr 14Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Filed with Secretary by Sen. Celina VillanuevaMinor
- Mar 11Placed on Calendar Order of 2nd Reading March 12, 2026Minor
- Vote recorded Do Pass. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 11Do Pass Executive; 009-003-000
- Mar 2Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Rachel Ventura
- Feb 24Assigned to ExecutiveMinor
- Feb 19Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Graciela Guzmán
- Feb 5Referred to Assignments
- Feb 5First ReadingMinor
- Feb 5Filed with Secretary by Sen. Celina VillanuevaIntroduced
Environment & Energy