ILLINOIS POLLUTION CONTROL BOARD
June 17, 1993
PEOPLE OF THE STATE
)
OF ILLINOIS,
Complainant,
v
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PCB 93—91
(Enforcement)
FREE-FLOW PACKAGING CO.,
)
a Delaware Corporation,
Respondent.
OPINION AND ORDER OF THE BOARD (by C. A. Manning):
This
matter comes before the Board upon a complaint filed
May 10, 1993, on behalf of the People of the State of Illinois
(“People”), by and through its attorney, Roland W. Burns,
Attorney General of the State of Illinois, against Free-Flow
Packaging Co., a Delaware Corporation located in Thornton, Cook
County, Illinois. The complaint alleges that Free-Flow Packaging
Co. has violated Sections 9(a) and (b) of the Environmental
Protection Act (“Act”),
415
ILCS 5/9(a) and 5/9(b) (1992), and 35
Ill. Adm. Code 201.142 and 201.143 of the Board’s regulations.
Pursuant to Section 31(a) (1) of the Act, a joint Motion
requesting relief from the Act’s hearing requirement was filed by
the parties on May 10, 1993. Notice of the waiver was published
by the Board on May 25, 1993; no objection to grant of the waiver
was received. Waiver of hearing is granted by the Board via
today’s Opinion and Order.
A Stipulation and Settlement Agreement was filed by the
parties on May 10, 1993. The Stipulation sets forth facts
relating to the nature, operations and circumstances surrounding
the claimed violations. Free—Flow Packaging Co. neither admits
nor denies the alleged violations. Free—Flow Packaging Co.
agrees to pay a civil penalty of Five Thousand Dollars
($5,000.00).
The Board has authority to impose a penalty where the
parties have stipulated to a penalty, but not to a finding of
violation. See, Chemetco, Inc. v. Illinois Pollution Control
Board, 140 Ill. App.3d ,283, 488 N.E.2d 639, 643 (5th Dist.
1986); and Archer Daniels Midland v. Pollution Control Board, 140
Ill.App.3d 823, 489 N.E.2d 887 (3rd Dist. 1986).
The Board finds the Settlement Agreement acceptable under 35
Ill. Adm. Code 103.180. This Settlement Agreement in no way
affects respondent’s responsibility to comply with any federal,
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state or local regulations, including but not limited to the Act
and the Board’s pollution control regulations.
This Opinion constitutes the Board’s findings of fact and
conclusions of law in this matter.
ORDER
1. The Board hereby accepts the Stipulation and Settlement
Agreement executed by the People of the State of
Illinois and the Free—Flow Packaging Co., concerning
its operations located in Thornton, Cook County,
Illinois. The Stipulation and Settlement Agreement are
incorporated by reference as though fully set forth
herein.
2. The Free—Flow Packaging Co. shall pay the sum of Five
Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) within 30 days of the date
of this Order. Such payment shall be made by certified
check or money order payable to the Treasurer of the
State of Illinois, designated to the Environmental
Protection Trust Fund, and shall be sent by First Class
mail to:
Illinois Environmental Protection Agency
Fiscal Services Division
2200 Churchill Road
P.O. Box 19276
Springfield, IL 62794—9276
Free-Flow Packaging Co. shall also write its Federal
Employer Identification Number or Social Security
Number on the certified check or money order.
Any such penalty not paid within the time prescribed
shall incur interest at the rate set forth in
subsection (a) of Section 1003 of the Illinois Income
Tax Act, (35 ICLS 5/101 et seq. (1992)), as now or
hereafter amended, from the date of payment is due
until the date payment is received. Interest shall not
accrue during the pendency of an appeal during which
payment of the penalty has been stayed.
3. Free-Flow Packaging Co. shall cease and desist from the
alleged violations.
IT IS SO ORDERED
Section 41 of the Environmental Protection Act, (415 ILCS
5/41 (1992)), provides for appeal of final orders of the Board
within 35 days. The Rules of the Supreme Court of Illinois
establish filing requirements. (See also 35 Ill. Adm. Code
01 L~3-O2I I~
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101.246, Motion for Reconsideration.)
Board Member Meyer dissented.
I, Dorothy N. Gunn, Clerk of the Illinois Pollution Control
Board, hereby certif that the abov opinion and order was
adopted on the 1
day of
___________________,
1993, by a
vote of ~
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Dorothy M. G,u7~1n, Clerk
Illinois Po~ution Control Board
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