(430 ILCS 100/2) (from Ch. 111 1/2, par. 7702)
Sec. 2.
Findings.
The General Assembly finds that:
(1) The proliferation of hazardous substances in the environment poses a
growing threat to the public health, safety and welfare; that the
constantly increasing number and variety of hazardous substances, and the
many routes of exposure to them, make it difficult and expensive to
adequately monitor and detect any adverse health effects attributable
thereto; that individuals themselves are often able to detect and to
minimize effects of exposure to hazardous substances if they are aware of
the identity of the substances and the early symptoms of unsafe exposure;
and that individuals have an inherent right to know the full range of risks
they face so that they can make reasoned decisions and take informed action
concerning their employment and their living conditions.
(2) Local health, fire, police, safety and other governmental
officials require detailed information about the identity, characteristics,
and quantities of hazardous substances used and stored in communities
within their jurisdictions, in order to adequately plan for, and respond
to, emergencies, and enforce compliance with applicable laws and
regulations concerning these substances.
(3) The extent of the toxic contamination of the air, water and land in
this State has caused a high degree of concern among its residents; and
that much of this concern is needlessly aggravated by the unfamiliarity of
these substances to residents.
(4) It is in the public interest to establish a comprehensive program
for the disclosure of information about hazardous substances in the
workplace and the community, and to provide a procedure whereby residents
of this State may gain access to this information.
(Source: P.A. 86-449.)
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