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Environmental Justice (EJ)
The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (Illinois EPA or Agency) is committed to protecting the health of the residents of Illinois and its environment, and to promoting environmental equity in the administration of its programs. The Illinois EPA supports the objectives of achieving environmental equity for all of the residents of Illinois. Illinois EPA’s Environmental Justice (EJ) Policy includes a more detailed discussion of the Agency’s EJ approach.
The Office of Environmental Justice (OEJ) coordinates Illinois EPA’s integration of EJ into Agency programs and activities including, but not limited to, permitting, rulemaking, enforcement, and compliance.
Activities of the OEJ include:
- Develop Agency EJ policies, priorities, and recommendations including:
- Distribute EJ notification letters, as part of enhanced public outreach efforts, to individuals, elected officials, community groups, and other interested parties about permit applications for projects in areas of EJ concern received by the Illinois EPA
- Support the State of Illinois Commission on EJ and serve as a commissioner and voting member
- Integrate EJ and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 principles into the Agency’s operations, programs, and policies including investigation of complaints processed in accordance with the Illinois EPA Grievance Procedure
- Facilitate and provide language access services
- Cultivate and maintain relationships with stakeholders and community groups
- Share information related to internal and external EJ-related activities and updates via the Illinois EPA EJ Listserv (sign up below)
Staff Directory
Staff Name and Job Title |
Phone Number |
Chris Pressnall, Manager |
(217) 524-1284 |
Paulina Lopez-Santos, EJ Policy Administrator |
(312) 832-2182 |
Luis Lopez, Office Associate |
(217) 782-3440 |
Listserv Sign-up
Subscribe to the Illinois EPA EJ listserv below to receive information that may be of interest to communities with EJ concerns or organizations that serve those communities. The information shared is generally about statewide or regional matters such as funding opportunities, rulemakings, etc. Site specific information on permit transactions is provided in EJ notification letters.