Public Act 0332 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HB2777 Enrolled LRB097 08414 JDS 48541 b

Public Act 097-0332

AN ACT concerning safety.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The Drycleaner Environmental Response Trust Fund Act is amended by changing Sections 60 and 69 as follows:

(415 ILCS 135/60)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2020)

Sec. 60. Drycleaning facility license.

(a) On and after January 1, 1998, no person shall operate a drycleaning facility in this State without a license issued by the Council.

(b) The Council shall issue an initial or renewal license to a drycleaning facility on submission by an applicant of a completed form prescribed by the Council and proof of payment of the required fee to the Department of Revenue.

(c) On or after January 1, 2004, the annual fees for licensure are as follows:

(1) $500 for a facility that uses (i) 50 gallons or less of chlorine-based or green drycleaning solvents annually, (ii) 250 or less gallons annually of hydrocarbon-based drycleaning solvents in a drycleaning machine equipped with a solvent reclaimer, or (iii) 500 gallons or less annually of hydrocarbon-based drycleaning solvents in a drycleaning machine without a solvent reclaimer.

(2) $500 for a facility that uses (i) more than 50 gallons but not more than 100 gallons of chlorine-based or green drycleaning solvents annually, (ii) more than 250 gallons but not more 500 gallons annually of hydrocarbon-based solvents in a drycleaning machine equipped with a solvent reclaimer, or (iii) more than 500 gallons but not more than 1,000 gallons annually of hydrocarbon-based drycleaning solvents in a drycleaning machine without a solvent reclaimer.

(3) $500 for a facility that uses (i) more than 100 gallons but not more than 150 gallons of chlorine-based or green drycleaning solvents annually, (ii) more than 500 gallons but not more than 750 gallons annually of hydrocarbon-based solvents in a drycleaning machine equipped with a solvent reclaimer, or (iii) more than 1,000 gallons but not more than 1,500 gallons annually of hydrocarbon-based drycleaning solvents in a drycleaning machine without a solvent reclaimer.

(4) $1,000 for a facility that uses (i) more than 150 gallons but not more than 200 gallons of chlorine-based or green drycleaning solvents annually, (ii) more than 750 gallons but not more than 1,000 gallons annually of hydrocarbon-based solvents in a drycleaning machine equipped with a solvent reclaimer, or (iii) more than 1,500 gallons but not more than 2,000 gallons annually of hydrocarbon-based drycleaning solvents in a drycleaning machine without a solvent reclaimer.

(5) $1,000 for a facility that uses (i) more than 200 gallons but not more than 250 gallons of chlorine-based or green drycleaning solvents annually, (ii) more than 1,000 gallons but not more than 1,250 gallons annually of hydrocarbon-based solvents in a drycleaning machine equipped with a solvent reclaimer, or (iii) more than 2,000 gallons but not more than 2,500 gallons annually of hydrocarbon-based drycleaning solvents in a drycleaning machine without a solvent reclaimer.

(6) $1,000 for a facility that uses (i) more than 250 gallons but not more than 300 gallons of chlorine-based or green drycleaning solvents annually, (ii) more than 1,250 gallons but not more than 1,500 gallons annually of hydrocarbon-based solvents in a drycleaning machine equipped with a solvent reclaimer, or (iii) more than 2,500 gallons but not more than 3,000 gallons annually of hydrocarbon-based drycleaning solvents in a drycleaning machine without a solvent reclaimer.

(7) $1,000 for a facility that uses (i) more than 300 gallons but not more than 350 gallons of chlorine-based or green drycleaning solvents annually, (ii) more than 1,500 gallons but not more than 1,750 gallons annually of hydrocarbon-based solvents in a drycleaning machine equipped with a solvent reclaimer, or (iii) more than 3,000 gallons but not more than 3,500 gallons annually of hydrocarbon-based drycleaning solvents in a drycleaning machine without a solvent reclaimer.

(8) $1,500 for a facility that uses (i) more than 350 gallons but not more than 400 gallons of chlorine-based or green drycleaning solvents annually, (ii) more than 1,750 gallons but not more than 2,000 gallons annually of hydrocarbon-based solvents in a drycleaning machine equipped with a solvent reclaimer, or (iii) more than 3,500 gallons but not more than 4,000 gallons annually of hydrocarbon-based drycleaning solvents in a drycleaning machine without a solvent reclaimer.

(9) $1,500 for a facility that uses (i) more than 400 gallons but not more than 450 gallons of chlorine-based or green drycleaning solvents annually, (ii) more than 2,000 gallons but not more than 2,250 gallons annually of hydrocarbon-based solvents in a drycleaning machine equipped with a solvent reclaimer, or (iii) more than 4,000 gallons but not more than 4,500 gallons annually of hydrocarbon-based drycleaning solvents in a drycleaning machine without a solvent reclaimer.

(10) $1,500 for a facility that uses (i) more than 450 gallons but not more than 500 gallons of chlorine-based or green drycleaning solvents annually, (ii) more than 2,250 gallons but not more than 2,500 gallons annually of hydrocarbon-based solvents used in a drycleaning machine equipped with a solvent reclaimer, or (iii) more than 4,500 gallons but not more than 5,000 gallons annually of hydrocarbon-based drycleaning solvents in a drycleaning machine without a solvent reclaimer.

(11) $1,500 for a facility that uses (i) more than 500 gallons but not more than 550 gallons of chlorine-based or green drycleaning solvents annually, (ii) more than 2,500 gallons but not more than 2,750 gallons annually of hydrocarbon-based solvents in a drycleaning machine equipped with a solvent reclaimer, or (iii) more than 5,000 gallons but not more than 5,500 gallons annually of hydrocarbon-based drycleaning solvents in a drycleaning machine without a solvent reclaimer.

(12) $1,500 for a facility that uses (i) more than 550 gallons but not more than 600 gallons of chlorine-based or green drycleaning solvents annually, (ii) more than 2,750 gallons but not more than 3,000 gallons annually of hydrocarbon-based solvents in a drycleaning machine equipped with a solvent reclaimer, or (iii) more than 5,500 gallons but not more than 6,000 gallons annually of hydrocarbon-based drycleaning solvents in a drycleaning machine without a solvent reclaimer.

(13) $1,500 for a facility that uses (i) more than 600 gallons of chlorine-based or green drycleaning solvents annually, (ii) more than 3,000 gallons but not more than 3,250 gallons annually of hydrocarbon-based solvents in a drycleaning machine equipped with a solvent reclaimer, or (iii) more than 6,000 gallons of hydrocarbon-based drycleaning solvents annually in a drycleaning machine equipped without a solvent reclaimer.

(14) $1,500 for a facility that uses more than 3,250 gallons but not more than 3,500 gallons annually of hydrocarbon-based solvents in a drycleaning machine equipped with a solvent reclaimer.

(15) $1,500 for a facility that uses more than 3,500 gallons but not more than 3,750 gallons annually of hydrocarbon-based solvents used in a drycleaning machine equipped with a solvent reclaimer.

(16) $1,500 for a facility that uses more than 3,750 gallons but not more than 4,000 gallons annually of hydrocarbon-based solvents in a drycleaning machine equipped with a solvent reclaimer.

(17) $1,500 for a facility that uses more than 4,000 gallons annually of hydrocarbon-based solvents in a drycleaning machine equipped with a solvent reclaimer.

For purpose of this subsection, the quantity of drycleaning solvents used annually shall be determined as follows:

(1) in the case of an initial applicant, the quantity of drycleaning solvents that the applicant estimates will be used during his or her initial license year. A fee assessed under this subdivision is subject to audited adjustment for that year; or

(2) in the case of a renewal applicant, the quantity of drycleaning solvents actually purchased in the preceding license year.

The Council may adjust licensing fees annually based on the published Consumer Price Index - All Urban Consumers ("CPI-U") or as otherwise determined by the Council.

(d) A license issued under this Section shall expire one year after the date of issuance and may be renewed on reapplication to the Council and submission of proof of payment of the appropriate fee to the Department of Revenue in accordance with subsections (c) and (e). At least 30 days before payment of a renewal licensing fee is due, the Council shall attempt to:

(1) notify the operator of each licensed drycleaning facility concerning the requirements of this Section; and

(2) submit a license fee payment form to the licensed operator of each drycleaning facility.

(e) An operator of a drycleaning facility shall submit the appropriate application form provided by the Council with the license fee in the form of cash, credit card, business check, or guaranteed remittance to the Department of Revenue. The license fee payment form and the actual license fee payment shall be administered by the Department of Revenue under rules adopted by that Department.

(f) The Department of Revenue shall issue a proof of payment receipt to each operator of a drycleaning facility who has paid the appropriate fee in cash or by guaranteed remittance, credit card, or business check. However, the Department of Revenue shall not issue a proof of payment receipt to a drycleaning facility that is liable to the Department of Revenue for a tax imposed under this Act. The original receipt shall be presented to the Council by the operator of a drycleaning facility.

(g) (Blank).

(h) The Council and the Department of Revenue may adopt rules as necessary to administer the licensing requirements of this Act.

(Source: P.A. 96-774, eff. 1-1-10.)

(415 ILCS 135/69)

Sec. 69. Civil penalties.

(a) Except as provided in this Section, any person who violates any provision of this Act or any regulation adopted by the Council, or any license or registration or term or condition thereof, or that violates any order of the Council under this Act, shall be liable for a civil penalty as provided in this Section. The penalties may, upon order of the Council or a court of competent jurisdiction, be made payable to the Drycleaner Environmental Response Trust Fund, to be used in accordance with the provisions of the Drycleaner Environmental Response Trust Fund Act.

(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) of this Section:

(1) Any person who violates subsection (a) of Section 60 Section 60(a) of this Act by failing to pay the license fee when due, may be assessed a civil penalty of $5 per day for each day after the license fee is due until the license fee is paid. The penalty shall be effective for license fees due on or after July 1, 1999 and before June 30, 2011. For license fees due on or after July 1, 2011, any person who violates subsection (a) of Section 60 of this Act by failing to pay the license fee when due may be assessed a civil penalty, beginning on the 31st day after the license fee is due, in the following amounts: (i) beginning on the 31st day after the license fee is due and until the 60th day after the license fee is due, $3 for each day during which the license fee is not paid and (ii) beginning on the 61st day after the license fee is due and until the license fee is paid, $5 for each day during which the license fee is not paid.

(2) Any person who violates subsection (d) or (h) of Section 65 Section 65(d) or 65(h) of this Act shall be liable for a civil penalty not to exceed $500 for the first violation and a civil penalty not to exceed $5,000 for a second or subsequent violation.

(3) Any person who violates Section 67 of this Act shall be liable for a civil penalty not to exceed $100 per day for each day the person is not registered to sell drycleaning solvents.

(c) The Council shall issue an administrative assessment setting forth any penalties it imposes under subsection (b) of this Section and shall serve notice of the assessment upon the party assessed. The Council's determination shall be deemed correct and shall serve as evidence of the correctness of the Council's determination that a penalty is due. Proof of a determination by the Council may be made at any administrative hearing or in any legal proceeding by a reproduced copy or computer print-out of the Council's record relating thereto in the name of the Council under the certificate of the Council.

If reproduced copies of the Council's records are offered as proof of a penalty assessment, the Council must certify that those copies are true and exact copies of records on file with the Council. If computer print-outs of the Council's records are offered as proof of a determination, the Council Chairman must certify that those computer print-outs are true and exact representations of records properly entered into standard electronic computing equipment, in the regular course of the Council's business, at or reasonably near the time of the occurrence of the facts recorded, from trustworthy and reliable information. A certified reproduced copy or certified computer print-out shall, without further proof, be admitted into evidence in any administrative or legal proceeding and is prima facie proof of the correctness of the Council's determination.

Whenever notice is required by this Section, the notice may be given by United States registered or certified mail, addressed to the person concerned at his last known address, and proof of mailing shall be sufficient for the purposes of this Act. Notice of any hearing provided for by this Act shall be given not less than 7 days before the day fixed for the hearing. Following the initial contact of a person represented by an attorney, the Council shall not contact that person but shall only contact the attorney representing that person.

(d) The penalties provided for in this Section may be recovered in a civil action instituted by the Attorney General in the name of the people of the State of Illinois.

(e) The Attorney General may also, at the request of the Council or on his or her own motion, institute a civil action for an injunction, prohibitory or mandatory, to restrain violations of this Act, any rule or regulation adopted under this Act, any license or registration or term or condition of a license or registration, or any Council order, or to require other actions as may be necessary to address violations thereof.

(f) Without limiting any other authority which may exist for the awarding of attorney's fees and costs, the Council, or a court of competent jurisdiction, may award costs and reasonable attorney's fees, including the reasonable costs of expert witnesses and consultants, to the Attorney General in a case where the Attorney General has prevailed against a person who has committed a willful, knowing, or repeated violation of this Act, any rule or regulation adopted under this Act, any license or registration or term or condition of a license or registration, or any Council order. Any funds collected under this subsection (f) in which the Attorney General has prevailed shall be deposited in the Drycleaner Environmental Response Trust Fund created in Section 10 of this Act.

(g) All final orders imposing civil penalties under this Section shall prescribe the time for payment of the penalties. If any penalty is not paid within the time prescribed, interest on the penalty shall be paid, at the rate set forth in Section 3-2 of the Illinois Uniform Penalty and Interest Act, for the period from the date payment is due until the date payment is received. However, if the time for payment is stayed during the pendency of an appeal, interest shall not accrue during the stay.

(Source: P.A. 96-774, eff. 1-1-10.)

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon becoming law.