COOK COUNTY PROPOSES HUGE AIR TAX

An “absolutely devastating” draft ordinance has been introduced in Cook County to require all sites having a State of Illinois air pollution operating permit to also obtain a permit to operate from the Cook County Dept. of Environmental Control.

As part of the permitting process Cook County would require all covered sites to pay fees on the following “regulated air pollutants” – NOx, Carbon Oxides – Monoxide and Dioxide, Ammonia, PM 10 and 2.5, SOx, VOC, Lead and any other pollutant for which a national ambient air quality standard has been promulgated. Currently no jurisdiction in the nation regulates carbon emissions.

The proposed fees range from a $1000 filing fee with an additional $5 per ton for sources with a cumulative amount of “regulated air pollutants” under 25 tons per year to a filing fee of $2500 plus $20 per ton for sources with a cumulative amount of “regulated air pollutants” over 100 tons per year.

In addition the proposed ordinance calls for a mandatory emissions level reduction of 10% per year. With the air quality in the Chicagoland area already better than it’s been in the past 40 years and with numerous control strategies still coming online, this proposal effectively says to industry in Cook County that you’re no longer welcome to conduct business in the County. Needless to say this poorly thought out proposal faces significant opposition from CICI as well as all of Illinois’ major industrial organizations.

We’d urge you to contact your local Cook County Board member and urge them to oppose this massive fee on Cook County industry.

LEADERS AGREE TO “ONE” MONTH BUDGET

Leaders in the House and Senate were able to come to an agreement this week that would stave off any shutdown in state government operations with the fiscal year beginning on July 1.  The plan is for the General Assembly to pass a budget just for the month of “July” when both chambers return to Springfield on Tuesday, June 26.  The leaders would then have another month of overtime session to negotiate a real budget for the remaining 11 months. 

This is same situation that faced the leaders in 2004 when a stopgap budget kept state government operating while negotiations continued after the new fiscal year began. A final agreement was reached about three weeks later and actually reinstated many economic incentives that the Blagojevich Administration eliminated the year before. 

This interim budget, however, is no sure thing as it must still be approved by the House and the Senate with a super majority of votes and be signed by the governor before July 1.  Negotiations as to what should be included in this 1 month budget are currently underway.

If no interim budget can be passed and/or the budget impasse continues into July, the state does not have authority to write checks. Not only would state workers miss paydays, but payments to state vendors would also cease. CICI will continue to monitor the situation.

GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING & GOLF OUTING AUGUST 23

CICI’s Annual General Membership Meeting and Golf Outing will be held Thursday, August 23 at the Klein Creek Golf Club in Winfield at 1N333 Pleasant Hill Rd.  State Representative Mike Fortner (R-Countryside) will be this year’s luncheon speaker and will be discussing the recent legislative session.  The day’s events begin at 9:30 a.m. with the General Membership/Open Board of Directors meeting with lunch served at 11:45 a.m. followed by a shotgun start, scramble format at 1:30 p.m. The meeting registration is available at:  http://www.cicil.net/Flyers/General_Membership_Golf_2007.html

If your company has any promotional items or gifts to donate for the golf outing, your support would be greatly appreciated. Please send items to the Des Plaines office at 2250 E. Devon Ave, Des Plaines, 60018.

CICI is again making available hole sponsorships at $500 per hole to benefit CHEMPAC, the only political action committee solely representing the chemical industry. Sponsorship includes a sign with your company name prominently displayed at the tee box.  For more information on hole sponsorship, please contact Brad Babcook at 217/522-5805 or bbabcook@cicil.net.

Please note that the Chemical Industry Council of Illinois Legislator is not intended to convey legal advice or set forth all legal requirements applicable to particular circumstances.

Headquarters: 2250 E. DEVON AVE., SUITE 239, DES PLAINES, IL 60018 • TEL :( 847) 544-5995 • FAX :( 847) 544-5999
Springfield: 400 W. MONROE, SUITE 205, SPRINGFIELD, IL 62704 • TEL :( 217) 522-5805 • FAX :( 217) 522-5815