IL EPA News

Essence LLC and Legacy Construction Chicago LLC Referred to Illinois Attorney General for Asbestos Violations at Fox Shore Apartments

Illinois EPA has referred Essence LLC and Legacy Construction Chicago LLC to the Illinois Attorney General's Office for enforcement action following renovation activities at Fox Shore Apartments (430 North River Street, Aurora) that improperly handled asbestos-containing materials. The 94-unit residential building had asbestos-containing acoustic ceiling texture removed from multiple unoccupied units without Illinois EPA approval of an abatement plan, violating the Illinois Environmental Protection Act, Illinois Pollution Control Board regulations, and National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants. Illinois EPA is requiring relocation of all current residents until decontamination is complete and the facility is cleared for reoccupation.

Illinois EPA Announces Seven Spring Household Hazardous Waste Collection Events

Illinois EPA Acting Director James Jennings announced seven Spring Household Hazardous Waste one-day collection events scheduled across seven Illinois communities from March 21 through June 6, 2026. Each collection operates from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., requires pre-registration for specified time slots, and provides residents with a free opportunity to safely dispose of unused or leftover hazardous household products. Events are coordinated with local co-sponsors including county health departments, chambers of commerce, and community organizations across East Peoria, Griggsville, Kankakee, Morrison, DeKalb, Lake in the Hills, and Carbondale.

Illinois EPA Offers $1.5 Million for Water Supply Energy Efficiency Upgrades

The Illinois EPA Office of Energy announced up to $1,500,000 in grant funding through the Public Water Supply Energy Efficiency (PWSEE) program, with individual awards ranging from $50,000 to $500,000 and a 10–20% match requirement based on geographic location. Applications close at 5:00 pm on May 4, 2026. Funded through U.S. Department of Energy IIJA funds, the program prioritizes cost-effectiveness, energy cost savings, energy rate, and benefits to environmental justice communities. Eligible projects include pump and motor equipment upgrades, variable frequency drives, energy demand management enhancements, and HVAC and lighting improvements, all based on third-party energy efficiency assessment recommendations.

Illinois EPA Funding for Emerging Contaminants in Drinking Water

The Illinois EPA announced over $40 million in grant funding for small or disadvantaged communities to address emerging contaminants like PFAS and Manganese in drinking water. Applications are due by August 31, 2026, with a maximum award of $15 million per applicant.

Illinois EPA Issues Health Advisory for 6:2 FTS in Groundwater

The Illinois EPA has issued a health advisory for 6:2 Fluorotelomer Sulfonic Acid (6:2 FTS) in groundwater, based on sampling of community water supplies. This advisory provides a guidance level for the chemical, which lacks a specific groundwater standard, and supplements existing PFAS advisories.

Illinois EPA Notifies Dupo Water System of PFOS Detection

The Illinois EPA has notified owners and operators of the Dupo Community Water System (CWS) that PFOS was detected at 4.5 parts per trillion, exceeding the Illinois Class I groundwater quality standard of 4 ppt. The detection occurred under U.S. EPA's Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR 5). Under the Illinois Environmental Protection Act, CWS owners must notify their customers within five business days of receiving this notice using mail, email, postcard, text message, or telephone, and provide written proof to Illinois EPA within seven days of sending those notices. Illinois adopted groundwater quality standards for six PFAS compounds in 2025, and U.S. EPA has set federal MCLs for certain PFAS requiring compliance by April 2029.

Illinois EPA Notifies Elburn Water System of PFOA Detection

The Illinois EPA has notified the Elburn Community Water System that PFOA was detected at 7.5 parts per trillion in groundwater sampled December 2, 2025, exceeding both the federal Maximum Contaminant Level and the Illinois Class I groundwater quality standard of 4 ppt. Under the Illinois Environmental Protection Act, the water system owner/operator must notify customers within five business days of receiving this notice and provide written proof to Illinois EPA within seven days of sending those notices. Federal drinking water standards for PFAS require community water systems to comply with federal MCLs by April 2029.

Illinois EPA Offers $7M for Wastewater Resilience Grants

The Illinois EPA is offering $7 million in grant funding through the Resilient Energy for Wastewater Infrastructure (REWI) Grant Program. Publicly owned wastewater treatment plants can apply for awards ranging from $200,000 to $2,000,000 to enhance energy resilience with solar energy systems and battery storage. The application period closes on April 30, 2026.