HR1010 LRB093 22284 HSS 51457 r

1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2     WHEREAS, Unlike public water supply wells, private or
3 semi-private drinking water system wells used by countless
4 Illinois residents in areas adjacent to commercial and
5 industrial facilities are not sampled for volatile organic
6 chemicals and are potentially vulnerable to groundwater
7 contamination; and
 
8     WHEREAS, The Lockformer Company in Lisle polluted private
9 wells with a chemical solvent for almost 20 years, affecting
10 the health of residents in nearly 100 homes; and
 
11     WHEREAS, In Downers Grove, toxic chemicals from the
12 Ellsworth Industrial Park seeped into an aquifer, resulting in
13 health problems for Downers Grove residents; and
 
14     WHEREAS, Contamination can adversely affect public health,
15 the environment, and property values; and
 
16     WHEREAS, The incidents in Downers Grove and Lisle
17 demonstrate there is a need for enhanced coordination of
18 response among local, State, and federal (USEPA) government
19 agencies so that contamination of groundwater is appropriately
20 investigated and any health threat properly characterized;
21 there is also a need to ensure that communication among
22 federal, State, and local officials occurs in order to make it
23 known where private wells are located and to facilitate
24 appropriate notification to potable well property owners; and
 
25     WHEREAS, It is in the best interest of the people of
26 Illinois to provide notification to property owners whenever
27 the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) has
28 confirmed that an exceedence of applicable health and safety
29 standards under Illinois regulations has occurred in order to
30 preserve the health and well-being of the public; therefore, be

 

 

HR1010 - 2 - LRB093 22284 HSS 51457 r

1 it
 
2     RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
3 NINETY-THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we
4 urge the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency to further
5 strengthen its public outreach efforts by developing, after
6 negotiations with individuals representing areas affected by
7 contamination and other relevant State agencies, a procedure to
8 notify property owners whenever the Agency has confirmed an
9 exceedence of applicable health and safety standards, using
10 scientifically credible data and procedures under Illinois
11 regulations; and be it further
 
12     RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be presented to
13 the Director of the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency.