ILLINOIS POLLUTION CONTROL BOARD
July 12, 1973
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY,
Complainant,
v.
)
PCB 73—216
WILLIAM A. DILLON AND CITY OF CHICAGO,
Respondents.
ORDER OF THE BOARD (BY SAMUEL T. LAWTON, JR.):
This is a complaint filed by the Environmental Protection
Agency against the above designated respondents alleging
violations of the Environmental Protection Act and the Rules
and Regulations for Refuse Disposal Sites and Facilities, with
respect to the operation of an alleged refuse disposal site.
The City of Chicago has filed a motion to dismiss, alleging
in substance that the complaint fails to state a cause of
action, the absence of need for the City to obtain a permit,
the character of the refuse involved as not being subject to
statutory control or limitation, the absence of jurisdiction of
the Pollution Control Board over the City of Chicago based upon
the home rule provisions of the 1970 Illinois Constitution, the
alleged possibility of an imposition of a criminal penalty by
the Board, and the alleged inability of the Board to resolve
constitutional issues. We find the contention of the City of
Chicago wholly lacking in merit and deny the motion to dismiss
in its entirety.
An examination of the complaint discloses allegations of
violation that are of sufficient specificity to inform respond-
ents as to the nature of the violations alleged. Any detail or
amplification necessary to properly prepare a defense may be ob-
tained by resort to pre-trial discovery procedures as provided in
the Board Rules.
Whether or not the activities of the respondents and the
refuse involved are susceptible to statutory and regulatory
provisions and ultimate Board order can only be determined
after a full hearing on the facts of the case. Nothing in the
8— 503
—2—
Illinois Constitution nor the Environmental Protection Act
suggests in any way immunity of home rule municipalities from
State regulation of a sort here involved. In fact, the exact
opposite is the case. (See Environmental Protection Agency v.
James McHugh Construction Company et al, PCB72-9l.) Any penalty
assessed by the Board would be a civil and not a criminal
penalty. The Board is not promulgating constitutional rulings,
but only carryinq out its legislative function as mandated by
the General Assembly pursuant to the Environmental Protection
Act.
Because the foregoing contentions can be disposed of with-
out oral argument, none will be heard. Motion to dismiss is
denied.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
I, Christan L. Moffett, Clerk of the Pollution Control Board,
certify that the above Order was adopted by the Board on the
/
day of
-
1973, by a vote of
____
to 0
/~
8— 504