ILLINOIS POLLUTION CONTROL BOARD
    April 7, 2005
     
    PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS,
     
    Complainant,
     
    v.
     
    GF OFFICE FURNITURE, LTD. L.P., a
    limited partnership, OFFICE SUITES, INC.,
    an Illinois corporation and subsidiary of GF
    OFFICE FURNITURE, LTD. L.P., and GF
    FURNITURE HOLDING, INC., a foreign
    corporation and general partner of GF OFFICE
    FURNITURE, LTD. L.P.,
     
    Respondents.
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    PCB 04-135
    (Enforcement - Air)
     
    ORDER OF THE BOARD (by N.J. Melas):
     
    On January 30, 2004, the Office of the Attorney General, on behalf of the People of the
    State of Illinois (People), filed a complaint against GF Office Furniture, LTD L.P., Office Suites,
    Inc., and GF Furniture Holding, Inc. (respondents).
    See
    415 ILCS 5/31(c)(1) (2002); 35 Ill.
    Adm. Code 103.204. The People allege that the respondents violated Section 9(a) and 39.5 of
    the Act (415 ILCS 5/9(a) and 39.5 (2002)); 35 Ill. Adm. Code 201.141, 205.200; and 205.205;
    and conditions 6.3(b) and 9.2.1 of the Clean Air Act Permit Program permit number 96020120.
    The People further allege that the respondents violated these provisions by: (1) emitting volatile
    organic material (VOM) and particulate matter so as to cause or tend to cause air pollution; (2)
    failing to participate in the emission reduction market system (ERMS) to the extent necessary to
    cover its emissions of more than 10 tons of VOM in a year; and (3) failing to obtain an
    exemption from ERMS by operating with seasonal VOM emissions of no more than 15 tons.
    The complaint concerns the respondents’ wooden office furniture manufacturing facility at 1034
    South Kostner Ave., Chicago, Cook County.
     
    On March 24, 2005, the People and all three respondents filed a stipulation and proposed
    settlement, accompanied by a request for relief from the hearing requirement of Section 31(c)(1)
    of the Environmental Protection Act (Act) (415 ILCS 5/31(c)(1) (2002)). This filing is
    authorized by Section 31(c)(2) of the Act (415 ILCS 5/31(c)(2) (2002)).
    See
    35 Ill. Adm. Code
    103.300(a). Under the proposed stipulation, the respondents do not admit nor deny the
    allegations and agree to pay a civil penalty of $30,000. In addition to a civil penalty, respondent
    Office Suites, Inc. agrees to provide emissions excursion compensation in the amount of
    $38,590.26 to the Agency, pursuant to Section 205.720(b) of the Board’s Air Pollution
    Regulations. 35 Ill. Adm. Code 205.720(b).
     
     
    2
    Unless the Board determines that a hearing is needed, the Board must cause notice of the
    stipulation, proposed settlement, and request for relief from the hearing requirement. Any person
    may file a written demand for hearing within 21 days after receiving the notice. If anyone timely
    files a written demand for hearing, the Board will deny the parties’ request for relief and hold a
    hearing. 415 ILCS 5/31(c)(2) (2002); 35 Ill. Adm. Code 103.300(b), (c). The Board directs the
    Clerk of the Board to provide the required notice.
     
    IT IS SO ORDERED.
     
    I, Dorothy M. Gunn, Clerk of the Illinois Pollution Control Board, certify that the Board
    adopted the above order on April 7, 2005, by a vote of 4-0.
     
    Dorothy M. Gunn, Clerk
    Illinois Pollution Control Board

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