Springfield, IL— Governor Quinn signed a series of legislation initiatives this week aimed at improving environmental policies in Illinois. As a sponsor of all three bills, State Senator Linda Holmes (D-Aurora) is excited about the prospect of making Illinois a ‘greener’ state. "All of these bills will be very beneficial to our state," Holmes stated. "Not only will they reduce our impact on the environment, they will also save the state money and improve the quality of life for our citizens. I hope that as the state takes a leading role in these efforts, the citizens of Illinois will also incorporate ‘green’ practices into their daily lives."

The first bill, House Bill 2429, requires the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) to inform the public about the proper and safe disposal of mercury

"Although these bulbs contain a only a small amount of mercury, this trace amount can still be very harmful to the environment," Holmes said. "As these light bulbs continue to become more popular, it is important that people know how to properly dispose of them when they are finished using them."

House Bill 680 allows the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) to award $4 million (in addition to the annual grant total of $20 million) in additional grants to applicants who install advanced technologies at renewable fuel facilities. These technologies include water usage efficiencies, carbon footprint reductions, and other improvements designed to be more environmentally-friendly.

"We want to provide an incentive for companies that are trying to advance environmentally-conscious practices," Holmes continued. "Providing these grants will attract new businesses to our state and entice our current employers to improve their production methods."

The final legislative initiative designed to help the environment in House Bill 4035. This law requires state agencies to purchase environmentally preferable supplies and services.

"This law ensures that the state is doing its part to utilize environmental policies," Holmes said. "As the ‘green’ sector continues to grow, it is imperative that our state stays at the forefront of this movement."