IllinoisLaw will cover approved older tank removal starting January 2027
Starting January 1, 2027, eligible owners and operators will have access to payments for removing underground tanks installed before 1976, with advance state approval and a $5,000 deductible.
What it does
Starting January 1, 2027, eligible owners and operators will be able to receive payments to remove underground tanks installed before 1976. They need advance state approval and must cover a $5,000 deductible.
For certain fuel leaks reported before June 8, 2010, approved cleanup costs incurred after January 1, 2027, will carry a $10,000 deductible, reduced by deductible amounts applied to earlier costs.
Argument forPayments could help eligible owners remove aging tanks and nearby contamination, while counting removal deductibles toward cleanup could avoid duplicate charges.
Argument againstThe $5,000 share owners must pay could put approved tank removal out of reach for owners with little cash.
More detail
Eligible owners and operators will be able to use the Underground Storage Tank Fund to help pay for older tank removal. Coverage applies to underground tanks installed before January 1, 1976, that held covered fuels or used motor oil refined from crude oil. Eligible work includes removing visibly contaminated fill within four feet of the tank, removing groundwater with an oily sheen from the excavation, and testing for leaks. The state environmental agency must approve a removal plan and budget before removal. Neither the owner nor the operator can be the federal government. Tanks containing fuel exempt from the Motor Fuel Tax Law are excluded. Costs already paid through insurance, another written agreement, or a court order do not qualify. Other fund eligibility rules also apply. Owners must cover a $5,000 deductible, the share the fund does not pay. That amount also counts toward any required cleanup deductible. Removal must follow state tank safety rules. The law takes effect January 1, 2027.
Owners and operators covered by higher-deductible exceptions will face a $10,000 deductible for later cleanup costs, with credit for earlier deductible amounts. This rule covers eligible owners and operators with leaks reported before June 8, 2010, whose tank registration and leak notice history falls under a higher-deductible exception. Earlier costs carry a $100,000 deductible if no tanks were registered before July 28, 1989. For tanks used only to store heating oil for use on site, serving neither farms nor residential units, the registration cutoff is July 1, 1992. Earlier costs carry a $50,000 deductible if any tank was registered before July 28, 1989, and the state received notice of the confirmed leak before that date. Earlier costs carry a $15,000 deductible if some, but not all, tanks were registered before July 28, 1989, and the state received notice of the confirmed leak on or after that date. Deductible amounts applied to earlier costs reduce the $10,000 deductible for later costs. Payment requires an approved cleanup plan and fund eligibility. The $10,000 rule applies to costs incurred after January 1, 2027. The higher-deductible exceptions apply to costs incurred before that effective date.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Jul 31Public Act . . . . . . . . . 104-0688Latest
- Jul 31Effective Date January 1, 2027
- Jul 31Governor J. B. Pritzker ApprovedBecame Law
- Jun 18Sent to the GovernorTo Governor
- May 21Passed Both Houses
- Vote recorded Third Reading. Result: pass.Upper
- May 21Third Reading - Passed; 059-000-000Passed Senate
- May 21Added as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. Jason Plummer
- May 19Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading **
- May 14Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading May 18, 2026
- May 14Second ReadingMinor
- May 7Added as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. Andrew S. Chesney
- Vote recorded Do Pass. Result: pass.Upper
- May 7Placed on Calendar Order of 2nd Reading May 12, 2026Minor
- May 7Do Pass Environment and Conservation; 008-000-000
- Apr 28Assigned to Environment and ConservationMinor
- Apr 21Referred to Assignments
- Apr 21First ReadingMinor
- Apr 21Chief Senate Sponsor Sen. Julie A. Morrison
- Apr 21Placed on Calendar Order of First ReadingMinor
- Apr 21Arrive in SenateMinor
- Apr 16Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Diane Blair-Sherlock
- Vote recorded Third Reading. Result: pass.Lower
- Apr 16Added Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Anthony DeLuca
- Apr 16House Floor Amendment No. 2 TabledMinor
- Apr 16Third Reading - Short Debate - Passed 109-000-000Passed House
- Apr 16Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading - Short Debate
- Apr 16House Floor Amendment No. 3 AdoptedMajor
- Apr 16House Floor Amendment No. 2 Withdrawn by Rep. Joyce Mason
- Apr 15House Floor Amendment No. 3 Recommends Be Adopted Energy & Environment Committee; 024-000-000Minor
- Vote recorded Do Pass, Amendment 3. Result: pass.Lower
- Apr 14House Floor Amendment No. 3 Rules Refers to Energy & Environment Committee
- Apr 14House Floor Amendment No. 3 Referred to Rules Committee
- Apr 14House Floor Amendment No. 3 Filed with Clerk by Rep. Joyce MasonMinor
- Apr 10Held on Calendar Order of Second Reading - Short DebateMinor
- Apr 10Second Reading - Short DebateMinor
- Apr 8Added Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Dagmara Avelar
- Apr 7House Floor Amendment No. 2 Recommends Be Adopted Energy & Environment Committee; 025-000-000Minor
- Vote recorded Do Pass, Amendment 2. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 24House Floor Amendment No. 2 Rules Refers to Energy & Environment Committee
- Mar 19House Floor Amendment No. 2 Referred to Rules Committee
- Mar 19House Floor Amendment No. 2 Filed with Clerk by Rep. Joyce MasonMinor
- Mar 19Placed on Calendar 2nd Reading - Short DebateMinor
- Mar 18House Committee Amendment No. 1 TabledMinor
- Vote recorded Do Pass. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 18Do Pass / Short Debate Energy & Environment Committee; 027-000-000
- Mar 18House Committee Amendment No. 1 Rules Refers to Energy & Environment Committee
- Mar 12House Committee Amendment No. 1 Referred to Rules Committee
- Mar 12House Committee Amendment No. 1 Filed with Clerk by Rep. Joyce MasonMinor
- Mar 12Assigned to Energy & Environment CommitteeMinor
- Feb 6Referred to Rules Committee
- Feb 6First ReadingMinor
- Feb 4Filed with the Clerk by Rep. Joyce MasonIntroduced
Environment & Energy