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| Public Act 095-0453 |
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AN ACT concerning climate change.
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Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
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represented in the General Assembly:
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Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the | ||||
Illinois Cool Cities Act. | ||||
Section 5. Findings. The General Assembly finds that: | ||||
Global climate change threatens the State's economy, | ||||
public health, and environment. | ||||
Units of local government across the State are endorsing | ||||
the U.S. Conference of Mayors Climate Protection Agreement, | ||||
committing to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 7% from 1990 | ||||
levels by the year 2012. | ||||
It is in the best interest of the State for units of local | ||||
government to make this commitment and to achieve these goals. | ||||
Section 10. State assistance to local greenhouse gas | ||||
reduction initiatives. The Environmental Protection Agency | ||||
shall provide technical assistance, if needed, to units of | ||||
local government in the State that have endorsed the U.S. | ||||
Conference of Mayors Climate Protection Agreement. Upon | ||||
request by a unit of local government, the Agency shall | ||||
provide: | ||||
(1) assistance in developing an inventory of greenhouse gas | ||||
emissions; and | ||
(2) assistance in determining the emissions reductions | ||
benefits of measures under consideration to reduce greenhouse | ||
gas emissions. | ||
Section 15. Cool cities. | ||
(a) Any unit of local government may request designation as | ||
an Illinois Cool City if the unit of local government has: | ||
(1) endorsed the U.S. Conference of Mayors Climate | ||
Protection Agreement; and | ||
(2) prepared and approved a plan to achieve a 7% | ||
reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from 1990 levels by | ||
the year 2012. | ||
(b) Upon a finding by the Director of the Environmental | ||
Protection Agency that (i) the greenhouse gas emissions | ||
reduction plan developed by a unit of local government, under | ||
subsection (a) of this Section, accurately estimates the | ||
emissions reduction benefits of the measures it contains and | ||
(ii) there is evidence of commitment by the unit of local | ||
government to implement the greenhouse gas emissions reduction | ||
plan, then the State shall provide, upon request, to any unit | ||
of local government designated as an Illinois Cool City under | ||
this Section: | ||
(1) signs for posting at major entry points to the unit | ||
of local government noting its designation as an Illinois | ||
Cool City; and | ||
(2) a graphic image for use by the unit of local | ||
government in printed and electronic communications, | ||
noting its designation as an Illinois Cool City.
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Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon | ||
becoming law.
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