ILLINOIS POLLUTION CONTROL BOARD
April 21, 2005
ILLINOIS ENVIRONMENTAL
PROTECTION AGENCY,
Complainant,
v.
LANDERS’ CHILDREN FAMILY, LLC, and
RAY LANDERS,
Respondents.
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AC 05-49
(IEPA No. 685-04-AC)
(Administrative Citation)
OPINION AND ORDER OF THE BOARD (by J.P. Novak):
On January 28, 2005, the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (Agency) timely filed
an administrative citation against two respondents: Landers’ Children Family, LLC, and Ray
Landers (respondents).
See
415 ILCS 5/31.1(c) (2002); 35 Ill. Adm. Code 108.202(c). The
Agency alleged that respondents violated Section 21(p)(1), (p)(4), and (p)(7) of the
Environmental Protection Act (Act) (415 ILCS 5/21(p)(1), (p)(4), and (p)(7) (2002)). The
Agency further alleges that on December 1, 2004 respondents violated these provisions by
causing or allowing the open dumping of waste in a manner that resulted in (1) litter; (2)
deposition of waste in standing or flowing waters; and (3) deposition of general construction or
demolition debris or clean construction or demolition debris at 5000 and 5068 Dickey John
Road, Auburn, Sangamon County.
On February 18, 2005, the Agency filed a motion to dismiss the administrative citation
for failing to serve respondent Landers’ Children Family, LLC within 60 days of the observed
violation as required.
See
415 ILCS 5/31.1(b) and 35 Ill. Adm. Code 108.402. The Board issued
an order that granted that motion and dismissed the administrative citation on March 3, 2005, as
to both respondents.
On April 6, 2005, the Agency filed a motion for reconsideration of the March 3, 2005
order. In that motion, the Agency points out that its February 18, 2005 motion sought dismissal
of the administrative citation for lack of timely service on the respondent Landers’ Children
Family, LLC, and not as to the respondent Ray Landers. The record indicates that service on
Ray Landers was completed on January 28, 2005. The Agency claims that the Board
appropriately dismissed the administrative citation as to Landers’ Children Family, LLC, but
should have entered a default order against Ray Landers, finding that he committed the
violations as alleged and assessing liability against him for the violations.
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RECONSIDERATION OF THE MARCH 3, 2005 BOARD ORDER
The Board’s procedural rules provide that motions for the Board to modify its final orders
must be filed within 35 days after the order is received (35 Ill. Adm. Code 101.520), and the
Board finds that the Agency’s motion filed April 6, 2005, is timely. The Board grants the
Agency’s motion for reconsideration. The Board finds that, due to an inadvertent administrative
error, the March 3, 2005 order dismissed the administrative citation as to respondent Ray
Landers. The Board vacates the order that issued March 3, 2005, in this matter, reinstates the
administrative citation, and orders as follows:
Dismissal of the Administrative Citation as to Landers’ Children Family, LLC
On February 18, 2005, the Agency filed a motion to dismiss the administrative citation
for failing to serve respondent Landers’ Children Family, LLC within 60 days of the observed
violation as required.
See
415 ILCS 5/31.1(b) and 35 Ill. Adm. Code 108.402. The Board grants
that motion and dismisses the administrative citation as to that respondent.
Default Judgment on the Administrative Citation as to Ray Landers
As required, the Agency served the administrative citation on respondent Ray Landers
within “60 days after the date of the observed violation.” 415 ILCS 5/31.1(b) (2002);
see also
35
Ill. Adm. Code 108.202(b). To contest an administrative citation, a respondent must file a
petition with the Board no later than 35 days after being served with the administrative citation.
If the respondent fails to do so, the Board must find that the respondent committed the violations
alleged and impose the corresponding civil penalty. 415 ILCS 5/31.1(d)(1) (2002); 35 Ill. Adm.
Code 108.204(b), 108.406. Here, any petition for review was due on March 4, 2005. Ray
Landers failed to timely file a petition. Accordingly, the Board finds that Ray Landers violated
Section 21(p) of the Act.
The civil penalty for violating Section 21(p) is $1,500 for a first offense and $3,000 for a
second or subsequent offense. 415 ILCS 5/42(b)(4-5) (2002); 35 Ill. Adm. Code 108.500(a).
Because there are three violations of Section 21(p) and these violations are first offenses, the
total civil penalty is $4,500. Under Section 31.1(d)(1) of the Act, the Board attaches the
administrative citation and makes it part of the order below.
This opinion constitutes the Board’s finding of fact and conclusions of law.
ORDER
1. The Board hereby dismisses the administrative citation as to Landers’ Children
Family, LLC.
2. The Board finds that Ray Landers violated Sections 21(p)(1), (p)(4), and (p)(7) of
the Act as alleged. Ray Landers must pay a civil penalty of $4,500 no later than
May 23, 2005, which is the first business day after the 30th day after the date of
this order.
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3.
Ray Landers must pay the civil penalty by certified check or money order, made
payable to the Illinois Environmental Protection Trust Fund. The case number,
case name, and Ray Landers’ social security number or federal employer
identification number must be included on the certified check or money order.
4.
Ray Landers must send the certified check or money order and the remittance
form to:
Illinois Environmental Protection Agency
Fiscal Services Division
1021 North Grand Avenue East
P.O. Box 19276
Springfield, Illinois 62794-9276
5.
Penalties unpaid within the time prescribed will accrue interest under Section
42(g) of the Act (415 ILCS 5/42(g) (2002)) at the rate set forth in Section 1003(a)
of the Illinois Income Tax Act (35 ILCS 5/1003(a) (2002)).
6.
Payment of this penalty does not prevent future prosecution if the violations
continue.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
Section 41(a) of the Environmental Protection Act provides that final Board orders may
be appealed directly to the Illinois Appellate Court within 35 days after the Board serves the
order. 415 ILCS 5/41(a) (2002);
see also
35 Ill. Adm. Code 101.300(d)(2), 101.906, 102.706.
Illinois Supreme Court Rule 335 establishes filing requirements that apply when the Illinois
Appellate Court, by statute, directly reviews administrative orders. 172 Ill. 2d R. 335. The
Board’s procedural rules provide that motions for the Board to reconsider or modify its final
orders may be filed with the Board within 35 days after the order is received. 35 Ill. Adm. Code
101.520;
see also
35 Ill. Adm. Code 101.902, 102.700, 102.702.
I, Dorothy M. Gunn, Clerk of the Illinois Pollution Control Board, certify that the Board
adopted the above opinion and order on April 21, 2005, by a vote of 5-0.
Dorothy M. Gunn, Clerk
Illinois Pollution Control Board