Illinois. Environmental Protection Agency

The Environmental Protection Agency, created in 1970, was established as independent agency under executive branch. Within agency independent Pollution Control Board was created. This Board was to meet regularly and determine, define and implement environmental control standards for Illinois. Board could adopt regulations to enforce standards, issue permits, conduct investigations and hearings and impose penalties. Agency itself was charged with collecting and disseminating information relating to environmental protection, providing continuing surveillance, investigating violations, making recommendations to Board and representing state in matters concerning environmental protection.

Agency was designated as state's water pollution, air pollution and solid waste agency in relation to federal legislation. Also with agency was independent Illinois Institute for Environmental Quality, which conducted practical research to provide expert guidance to Agency and to Board in formulation of regulations, development of enforcement strategies and preparation of long-range program goals (P.A.76-249), pp.873-896).