Agencies
Services
Language Access
Individuals that do not use English as their primary language and have a limited ability to read, write, speak, or understand English are considered limited English proficient (LEP).
The Illinois EPA’s 2026 Revised Language Access Plan (LAP) aims to provide guidance to agency staff and establish a roadmap to support meaningful access to the agency’s services, programs, and opportunities for LEP individuals. The Language Access Plan also seeks to align the agency’s efforts and bring Illinois EPA into compliance with the Illinois Language Equity and Access Act (Public Act 103-0723) of 2024, the Illinois Civil Rights Act of 2003, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and other applicable federal and state standards and guidelines.
The LAP presents the agency’s resources and protocols available to Agency employees for interacting with identified LEP individuals including the availability of interpretation and translation services at no cost to the requestor. Illinois EPA provides free language services to LEP individuals, such as qualified interpreters and information written in other languages.
Request for Access and Grievance Forms
As noted in the Final Plan, Illinois EPA has staff members fluent in Spanish who can communicate directly with the Spanish-speaking public. To speak to someone in Spanish, contact the Office of Environmental Justice.
Office of Environmental Justice
(312) 832-2182
EPA.OEJ@illinois.gov
For additional language access services, individuals may fill out the Request for Language Access form.
LEP individuals who feel they have been discriminated against on the basis of language access may also submit a Grievance Form to the Illinois EPA.