This is the Citizen's Guide to the Illinois Pollution Control Board (Board). The Board is an independent agency created in 1970 by the Environmental Protection Act, Illinois' core law for controlling pollution. Under the Environmental Protection Act, the Board decides cases and establishes regulations to restore and protect the environment. In doing so, the Board provides a public forum where interested citizens can actively participate in our State's environmental decision-making.

The guide describes the Board and its most common types of proceedings, including enforcement actions, permit appeals, variances, adjusted standards, underground storage tank appeals, landfill siting appeals, and rulemakings. The guide is an introduction intended for general informational purposes only, and is not intended as legal advice.

On this web site, you can review the Board's procedural rules and substantive regulations, as well as the Environmental Protection Act. You will also find docketing information and many important documents from Board proceedings, such as decisions of the Board, hearing transcripts, and public comments. If you need further information, please contact the Clerk's Office at (312) 814-3620 or at:

Illinois Pollution Control Board, Clerk's Office
James R. Thompson Center, Suite 11-500
100 West Randolph Street
Chicago, Illinois 60601

In addition, the Board's monthly newsletter, the Environmental Register, is available here for free or by mail for a small subscription fee. This guide provides more information about the Environmental Register.