August 26, 2011

To the Honorable Members of the

Illinois Senate,

97th General Assembly:

I would like to commend the sponsors for their hard work on this legislation. This bill amends the Environmental Protection Act to change the definition of municipal waste and fuel derived from municipal waste. Specifically, the bill exempts certain waste conversion facilities from being regulated as a municipal waste incinerator under the Act. In part, Senate Bill 2288 relies on a controversial federal regulation to place certain criteria on fuel produced from municipal waste. In doing so, Illinois is forced to rely on federal restrictions that have been the subject of several legal challenges to place safeguards on new waste conversion technologies.

Since this bill has been transmitted to me, many interested parties have raised concerns with various aspects of this legislation, including the reliance on these regulations. After consulting with the sponsor of this legislation, I will accommodate her request to veto this bill. Though I do so, I ask that both proponents and opponents of this bill work in good faith to a fair resolution that will create jobs throughout our State and protect our environment.

In the coming months, I look forward to working with the sponsors and interested parties on legislation to address this important issue.

Therefore, pursuant to Article IV, Section 9(b) of the Illinois Constitution of 1970, I return Senate Bill 2288, entitled “AN ACT concerning safety.”, with the foregoing objections, vetoed in its entirety. 

Sincerely,

PAT QUINN

Governor