Villanueva fights to advance environmental justice protections in Illinois

SPRINGFIELD - State Senator Celina Villanueva is leading legislation that would strengthen environmental justice protections by ensuring state regulators consider the potential impacts on communities that have historically faced disproportionate environmental burdens when reviewing pollution control permits.

"For too long, communities already facing environmental burdens have been forced to carry a disproportionate share of pollution and its impacts," Villanueva (D-Chicago) said. "This legislation ensures that environmental justice is part of the decision-making process so we can better protect the health and well-being of residents across Illinois."

Senate Bill 3772 would require the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency to evaluate environmental justice factors when reviewing certain air pollution construction permit applications.

The proposal would require IEPA to evaluate whether a proposed facility is located in an area of environmental justice concern and determine whether additional safeguards may be needed. These evaluations could include assessing opportunities to reduce emissions, conducting additional air quality modeling, and requiring permit enhancements such as improved air monitoring, odor monitoring or pollution prevention techniques.

The measure would also require permitting decisions to consider an applicant's history of environmental violations and other relevant factors.

"Environmental justice means every community deserves clean air and a healthy environment," Villanueva said. "By strengthening oversight and increasing transparency in the permitting process, we can take a meaningful step toward addressing long-standing environmental inequities."

Senate Bill 3772 passed the Senate Executive Committee Wednesday.

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