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.

"Oil is a vital, limited resource," Koehler said. "We use it to fuel our cars and jets, pave our roads, and make important products like plastic. We should be pursuing every option that will help us stretch the world’s oil supplies."

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.

Earlier this year, Southwind RAS announced that it intends to open an asphalt recycling facility on the south side of Peoria. The company will create up to 15 jobs and provide a convenient recycling facility for Peoria-area roofers. Senator Koehler’s legislation should help create business for the company.

"This is a good bill for business, a good bill for the environment, and a good bill for consumers," Koehler said. "It could even play its own small part in bringing gas prices down."

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.

"The State needs to play a leading role in conservation efforts--especially when it comes to road construction," Koehler said. "We’re easily one of the biggest players in road repair and construction, and this is a case where we can really lead by example."

House Bill 1326 has passed both chambers of the General Assembly and awaits Governor Quinn’s signature. An identical bill, Senate Bill 1543, passed the Senate but never advanced in the House.