Sec. 10. Commission on Environmental Justice.

605 words·~3 min read·/il/chapter-415/act-155/10

A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.

(a)The Commission on Environmental Justice is established and consists of the following 24 voting members:

(1)2 members of the Senate, one appointed by the President of the Senate and the other

by the Minority Leader of the Senate, each to serve at the pleasure of the appointing officer;

(2)2 members of the House of Representatives, one appointed by the Speaker of the House

of Representatives and the other by the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, each to serve at the pleasure of the appointing officer;

(3)the following ex officio members: the Director of Commerce and Economic Opportunity

or his or her designee, the Director of the Environmental Protection Agency or his or her designee, the Director of Natural Resources or his or her designee, the Director of Public Health or his or her designee, the Secretary of Transportation or his or her designee, and a representative of the housing office of the Department of Human Services appointed by the Secretary of Human Services; and

(4)14 members appointed by the Governor who represent the following interests:

(i)at least 4 members of affected communities concerned with environmental justice;

(ii)at least 2 members of business organizations including one member representing

a statewide organization representing manufacturers and one member representing an organization representing the energy sector;

(iii)environmental organizations;

(iv)experts on environmental health and environmental justice;

(v)units of local government;

(vi)members of the general public who have an interest or expertise in

environmental justice; and

(vii)at least 2 members of labor organizations including one member from a

statewide labor federation representing more than one international union and one member from an organization representing workers in the energy sector.

(b)Of the initial members of the Commission appointed by the Governor, 5 shall serve

for a 2-year term and 5 shall serve for a 1-year term, as designated by the Governor at the time of appointment. The members appointed by the Governor for terms beginning before the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 102nd General Assembly shall serve 2-year terms. Members appointed by the Governor for terms beginning on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 102nd General Assembly shall serve 4-year terms. Vacancies shall be filled in the same manner as appointments. Members of the Commission appointed by the Governor may not receive compensation for their service on the Commission and are not entitled to reimbursement for expenses.

(c)The Governor shall designate a Chairperson from among the Commission's members. The Commission shall meet at the call of the Chairperson, but no later than 90 days after the effective date of this Act and at least quarterly thereafter.

(d)The Commission shall:

(1)advise State entities on environmental justice and related community issues;

(2)review and analyze the impact of current State laws and policies on the issue of

environmental justice and sustainable communities;

(3)assess the adequacy of State and local laws to address the issue of environmental

justice and sustainable communities;

(4)develop criteria to assess whether communities in the State may be experiencing

environmental justice issues; and

(5)recommend options to the Governor for addressing issues, concerns, or problems

related to environmental justice that surface after reviewing State laws and policies, including prioritizing areas of the State that need immediate attention.

(e)On or before October 1, 2011 and each October 1 thereafter, the Commission shall report its findings and recommendations to the Governor and General Assembly.

(f)The Environmental Protection Agency shall provide administrative and other support to the Commission.