ILLINOIS POLLUTION CONTROL BOARD
July 11, 2002
PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS,
Complainant,
v.
N.E. FINCH, a Delaware corporation, and
PEORIA ASSOCIATES, an Illinois
corporation,
Respondents.
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PCB 01-17
(Enforcement - Air)
OPINION AND ORDER OF THE BOARD (by C.A. Manning):
On August 1, 2000, the Office of the Attorney General, on behalf of the People of the
State of Illinois (People), filed a two-count complaint against N.E. Finch and Peoria Associates
(respondents).
See
415 ILCS 5/31(c)(1) (2000); 35 Ill. Adm. Code 103.204. The People
allege that respondents violated Sections 9(a) and 9.1(d) of the Environmental Protection Act
(Act) (415 ILCS 5/9(a), 9.1(d) (2000)), and the Board’s air pollution regulations. The People
further allege that respondents violated these provisions by failing to properly remove, handle,
and dispose of asbestos-containing waste. The complaint concerns respondent Finch’s
demolition of the former Burlington Coat Factory in Peoria County.
On May 28, 2002, the People and respondents filed a stipulation and proposed
settlement, accompanied by a request for relief from the hearing requirement of Section
31(c)(1) of the Act (415 ILCS 5/31(c)(1) (2000)). This filing is authorized
by Section 31(c)(2)
of the Act (415 ILCS 5/31(c)(2) (2000)).
See
35 Ill. Adm. Code 103.300(a). The Board
provided notice of the stipulation, proposed settlement, and request for relief. The newspaper
notice was published in the
Journal Star
on May 30, 2002. The Board did not receive any
requests for hearing. The Board grants the parties’ request for relief from the hearing
requirement.
See
415 ILCS 5/31(c)(2) (2000); 35 Ill. Adm. Code 103.300(b).
Section 103.302 of the Board’s procedural rules sets forth the required contents of
stipulations and proposed settlements. 35 Ill. Adm. Code 103.302. These requirements
include stipulating to facts on the nature, extent, and causes of the alleged violations and the
nature of respondents’ operations. Section 103.302 also requires that the parties stipulate to
facts called for by Section 33(c) of the Act (415 ILCS 5/33(c) (2000)). The People and
respondents have satisfied Section 103.302. Respondents deny the alleged violations, but agree
to pay a civil penalty of $10,000. The Board accepts the stipulation and proposed settlement.
This opinion constitutes the Board’s findings of fact and conclusions of law.
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ORDER
1.
The Board accepts and incorporates by reference the stipulation and proposed
settlement.
2.
N.E. Finch and Peoria Associates (respondents) must pay a civil penalty of
$10,000. Each respondent shall make a payment of $1,000 to the
Environmental Protection Trust Fund no later than August 11, 2002, which is
the 30th day after the date of this order. Respondents shall each continue to
make a payment of $1,000 for the following four months. Respondents must
pay the civil penalty by certified check or money order, payable to the
Environmental Protection Trust Fund. The case number, case name, and the
respondents’ social security number or federal employer identification number
must be included on the certified check or money order.
3.
Respondents must send the certified check or money order to:
Illinois Environmental Protection Agency
Fiscal
Services
Division
1021 North Grand Avenue East
P.O.
Box
19276
Springfield,
Illinois
62794-9276
4.
Penalties unpaid within the time prescribed will accrue interest under Section
42(g) of the Environmental Protection Act (415 ILCS 5/42(g) (2000)) at the rate
set forth in Section 1003(a) of the Illinois Income Tax Act (35 ILCS 5/1003(a)
(2000)).
5.
Respondents must cease and desist from the alleged violations.
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) (2000);
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.
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I, Dorothy M. Gunn, Clerk of the Illinois Pollution Control Board, certify that the
Board adopted the above opinion and order on July 11, 2002, by a vote of 5-0.
Dorothy M. Gunn, Clerk
Illinois Pollution Control Board