Environment

A report released by the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) shows Illinois led the nation in wind turbine installations in 2011, installing a total of 404 turbines across the State. Illinois was behind only California in the amount of power generated by these new turbines.

The Chicago Sun-Times highlighted the AWEA report with a focus on an Elgin based wind energy manufacturing company that is benefiting from the dramatic increase in wind energy use. In the last eleven years, Winergy Drive Systems Corporation has grown to employ more than 200 employees and is one of twenty-eight Illinois based companies that produce parts for the wind energy industry.

Joliet, IL - A new law sponsored by State Senator AJ Wilhelmi (D-Joliet) will allow the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) to get tough with polluters.

The law allows the IEPA to impose fines of up to $2,000 on companies that violate their Compliance Commitment Agreements - legal agreements that allow businesses to fix environmental problems before they are taken to court or slapped with hefty fines normally associated with pollution.

New incentives will help conserve oil

The governor signed State Senator Dave Koehler’s (D-Peoria) plan to encourage roofing and building companies to recycle asphalt shingles rather than dump them in landfills into law earlier today.

Asphalt shingles are made from the same basic ingredients as paving asphalt--including oil--and can easily be reused to pave roads. This move could help a shingle-recycling facility in South Peoria.

"By reusing the oil in asphalt shingles to pave our roads, we can reduce our reliance on foreign oil," Koehler said.

House Bill 1326 allows recycling facilities to count each ton of asphalt they recycle as two tons towards their state-mandated recycling quota. This incentive doesn’t cost the State anything, but it will encourage recycling facilities to work with building, roofing, and demolition companies to acquire more asphalt shingles.

Days ago, Southwind RAS opened an asphalt recycling facility on the south side of Peoria. The facility now employs four people and provides a convenient recycling facility for Peoria-area roofers. It hopes to hire more employees soon. Senator Koehler’s legislation should help create business for the company.

"I’m glad that Governor Quinn signed this bill," Koehler said. "It will help us protect the environment by keeping shingles out of landfills, recycle a valuable resource, and help a local company."

The legislation also sets a goal for the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) to use as much recycled asphalt and other low-cost alternative materials for road construction and repair as possible.

"If the State is establishing incentives for others to recycle, we should do so ourselves," Koehler explained. "We need to set a good example."

The new law takes effect January 1, 2012.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Dave Koehler’s (D-Peoria) plan to encourage roofing and building companies to recycle asphalt shingles rather than dump them in landfills is on its way to the governor’s desk.

Asphalt shingles are made from the same basic ingredients as paving asphalt--including oil--and can easily be reused to pave roads. This move could help a planned shingle-recycling facility in South Peoria.

Springfield, IL—State Senator Dan Kotowski (D-Park Ridge) engaged with representatives from the Wheeling Park District on Tuesday for Parks Day and students from Dirksen Elementary on Thursday for Tech Day as the groups visited the capitol.

Three students from a digital health fitness class at Dirksen (Jessica Wasko, Wiktovia Kosinska and Osvaldo Reyes) explained their most recent projects to Senator Kotowski during Tech Day.

"It is great to see our students focused on technology at such a young age," Kotowski said. "We know the jobs of the tomorrow are in this field and all of the students I talked showed a lot of promise, and I am sure they will have a bright future."

In addition, Kotowski spoke with Matt Wehby, director of park and recreation services for the Wheeling Park District.

"We all know that our local parks play a very important role in our communities," Senator Kotowski said. "It was great to talk with the Wheeling Park District staff and get updated on what they are continuing to provide in Wheeling and surrounding areas."

Parks Day and Tech Day are annual events at which hundreds of Illinoisans visit Springfield to display what they are contributing to their communities and schools.

SPRINGFIELD, IL –A measure passed by State Senator Michael Frerichs (D – Champaign) would put the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (DNR) in charge of overseeing hydraulic fracturing. If signed into law, Senate Bill 664 would move Illinois one step closer to safely implementing the practice known as "fracking".