ILLINOIS POLLUTION CONTROL BOARD
February 17, 2005
ILLINOIS ENVIRONMENTAL
PROTECTION AGENCY,
Complainant,
v.
EQUIPPING THE SAINTS MINISTRY,
INTERNATIONAL, INC.,
Respondent.
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AC 04-31
(IEPA No. 747-03-AC)
(Administrative Citation)
OPINION AND ORDER OF THE BOARD (by N.J. Melas):
On January 9, 2004, the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (Agency) filed a timely
administrative citation against Equipping the Saints Ministry, International, Inc. (ESMI).
See
415 ILCS
5/31.1(c) (2002); 35 Ill. Adm. Code 108.202(c). The Agency alleges that ESMI violated Section
21(p)(1), (2), and (7) of the Environmental Protection Act (Act) (415 ILCS 5/21(p)(1), (2), and (7)
(2002)). The Agency further alleges that ESMI violated these provisions by causing or allowing the
unpermitted open dumping of waste in a manner that resulted in litter, and the deposition of general
and/or clean construction or demolition debris. ESM’s facility is located at 402 W. Loud Street, Virden,
Macoupin County.
As required, the Agency served the administrative citation on ESMI 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 violation alleged and impose the corresponding civil penalty. 415
ILCS 31.1(d)(1) (2002); 35 Ill. Adm. Code 108.204(b), 108.406.
On February 13, 2004, ESMI timely filed a petition for review.
See
415 ILCS 5/31.1(d) (2002);
35 Ill. Adm. Code 108.204(b). On February 1, 2005, the Agency and ESMI filed a stipulation and
proposed settlement, accompanied by a request for dismissal of the respondent’s petition for review.
Pursuant to the terms of the proposed settlement, ESMI denies the alleged violations of Section 21(p)(1)
of the Act, and agrees to pay a $1,500 civil penalty. To effectuate the parties’ intent that ESMI pay a
total penalty of only $1,500, the Board dismisses the alleged violations of Section 21(p)(2) and 21(p)(7)
of the Act. The stipulation of settlement requires ESMI to pay the first monthly installment of the civil
penalty by February 1, 2005. Because that date precedes the date of this order, the Board will require
the first payment due on or before March 1, 2005. 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.
Pursuant to the stipulated agreement, the Board dismisses ESMI’s petition for
review filed February 13, 2004, as supplemented by the Objection to Motion for
Default Judgment.
3.
Pursuant to the stipulated agreement, the alleged violation of Section 21(p)(2) and
(7) is dismissed. The Board finds that ESMI violated Section 21(p)(2) and (7) of
the Act, and must pay a civil penalty of $1,500, in monthly installments of $250,
beginning on March 1, 2005, and continuing on the first of each month until paid
in full.
4.
ESMI must pay the civil penalty by certified check or money order, payable to the
Illinois Environmental Protection Trust Fund. The case number, case name, and
ESMI’s social security number or federal employer identification number must be
included on the certified checks or money orders.
5.
ESMI must send the certified checks or money orders to:
Illinois Environmental Protection Agency
Fiscal
Services
Division
1021 North Grand Avenue East
P.O.
Box
19276
Springfield,
Illinois
62794-9276
6.
Penalties unpaid within the time prescribed will accrue interest under Section
42(g) of the Environmental Protection 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)).
7.
Payment of this penalty does not prevent future prosecution if the violation
continues.
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
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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 February 17, 2005, by a vote of 4-0.
Dorothy M. Gunn, Clerk
Illinois Pollution Control Board