Illinois EPA Permitting Process is Now Faster and More Transparent

SPRINGFIELD - January 13, 2012. Governor Pat Quinn announced a new Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) online portal that will make the environmental permitting process more user-friendly by eliminating red tape for businesses in Illinois. It also increases transparency in the process by allowing applicants and other interested parties to track the progress of the Agency's decision-making process. The portal is a result of Public Act 97-0094, which Governor Quinn signed last July.

"This process will help us grow our economy by cutting red tape for businesses, while also maintaining our strong commitment to the environment," Governor Quinn said. "This site will allow companies to navigate the environmental permitting process more effectively and efficiently."

"The improvements in the permitting process were developed in coordination with the Illinois business community with the goal of making compliance with environmental regulations less burdensome, yet without sacrificing protection of the state's air, land and water, and public health," said Illinois EPA Interim Director John Kim.

"The Illinois Environmental Regulatory Group, the Illinois Chamber of Commerce, and the Agency developed this positive first step to implement permitting reforms.  The changes should markedly improve the Agency's ability to respond to the needs of Illinois' businesses, and will result in cost, time, and resource savings.  I commend the Agency for their fine work," said Todd Maisch, vice president of government affairs for the Illinois Chamber of Commerce.

In addition to the new portal, several other measures have been or will be implemented in the near future that will increase efficiency and reduce the time it takes to receive an environmental permit in Illinois. One such tool is the Registration of Smaller Sources (ROSS) program tailored to smaller sources of air pollution, rather than requiring them to undergo the extensive permitting process that larger emissions sources must go through.

Among the features of the web portal (epa.state.il.us) are:

§  Application forms; many can be edited, saved and submitted electronically

§  Application checklists, instructions and guidance

§  Summary information on permitted projects

§  An online permit tracking system that gives the status of a pending application

In the coming months, the Illinois EPA will be working with the regulated community to implement additional process improvements that will further reduce time and cost burdens on both business and the agency, while still meeting the same environmental protection goals.

 

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The Salvation Army is overwhelmed by the community's generosity!

Quad Cities, USA -Major Gary Felton, Quad Cities Coordinator for The Salvation Army, would like the community to know that the organization is simply blown away by the generosity and enthusiasm shown this year. The goal of $700,000 was achieved, and $717,625 is the final total for this fund raising Major Felton said, "The Quad Cities heard our cry for help, and responded! It feels good to know that we have the community's support as we help people tackle some very tough issues.

"To every Quad Citian that donated at the kettles, directed checks our way, and volunteered to ring bells or work an event, our hearts are filled with gratitude - Thank you!"

During this Red Kettle Campaign, The Salvation Army also packed and distributed 2,300 food boxes to over 2,000 local households. The 3,000+ children in those households received toys Christmas morning because of the generosity of the community at the Angel Trees.  Major Felton continued, "Because the goal was reached, our largest programs at the Family Service Center -- Emergency Shelter, Transitional Housing, and Meal Site -- will remain strong. Last year we saw a 35% increase in the number of residents living at the Center. 32,000 nights of lodging were provided to the families, and over 43,000 meals were served from this facility to our residents and the community."

Felton extends his gratitude to The Salvation Army's community business partners. Felton said, "I'd like to thank every one of our community partners for giving The Salvation Army the opportunity to ring our bells in front of their establishments."

"And a special thank you to VON MAUR for their match days on December 23rd and 24th. The goal still seemed out of reach, but when we saw a 26% increase for those two days over last year's kettles - a record breaking two days - those additional donations brought us within sight of the $700,000 target."

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St. Malachy's Church

595 E. Ogden Ave., Geneseo, IL

church@saintmalachy.org

Saturday, February 11,   9 am - 3:30 pm

Featuring:

*Italian Café serving Coffee & Rolls (9 to 11 am)

Homemade Soups, Sandwiches, Pies (11 am to 2 pm)

*Artisan Crafts (9 am to 2 pm) from Vendors throughout the Quad City Area                          

*Raffles: "Marie-Grace" American Girl doll, Hand-made Quilt, Hand-crafted Oak Deacon's Bench, John Deere Child's Gator, $100 Heaven Sent Gift Certificate, and Kindle Fire

*Live Auction (2:30 pm) and Silent Auction (ending at 3:30 pm)

*Bake Shoppe with Baked Goods, Candy, Jams, Jellies & more

*Men's Den for men to hang out when their wives are shopping

Sunday, February 12, Spaghetti Dinner  4-7 pm

Raffle Drawing  6 pm

Farmers Masonic Lodge No. 168 of Kinross requests your presence for a very special Third Degree for a returned soldier on Thursday, January 26, 2012, with dinner beginning at 6:30 PM.  Lucas Snedigar, 21, currently serving in the U.S. Army, a mechanic and resident of Keota, Iowa, recently home from Afghanistan and completed his First Degree at Farmers Lodge on August 31, 2011, and Second Degree on November 12, 2011.

This is open to Master Masons only in good standing with their lodge.

Please join us for  "One Hero - 3rd Degree in Bibs,"  6:30 PM, Thursday, January 26, 2012, with 3rd Degree work beginning at 7:00 PM.   Farmers Lodge is located in the Christian Church at Kinross, one block south of Highway 22, just west of Wellman, Iowa.

Our Lodge dress for Degree Work is Bib Overalls if you have them.  Otherwise, casual dress is just fine.  Come as you are, you won't want to miss this special occasion to honor a returned soldier at completing his Masonic Degrees.  Contact Brant Andreassen, WM, bandreassen1@yahoo.com or Dave Jackson, Secretary, dbjiowa@netins.net if you plan to attend and can assist.  We always do a group photo.