Under the Environmental Protection Act (Act) 415 ILCS 5/1 et seq., any person can file a complaint with the Illinois Pollution Control Board (Board) against an alleged polluter.  The Board is Illinois’ environmental court for pollution cases. The Board therefore hears and decides environmental enforcement actions,  but does not prosecute them or investigate alleged pollution.

There are two types of complaints that a citizen can file with the Board against an alleged polluter:   (1) an informal complaint; and (2) a formal complaint. 

An informal complaint is a request by a citizen  for the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) to conduct an informal investigation of alleged pollution. The Board forwards the informal  complaint to the IEPA.

A formal complaint filed by a citizen (complainant) starts  an enforcement action against an alleged polluter (respondent). If the Board accepts the formal complaint for hearing, the complainant has the burden  to prove that the respondent committed the alleged violations. Requesting an informal investigation is not a prerequisite to filing a formal complaint.

The explanatory materials provided with the sample complaint forms are for general informational purposes only and do not constitute  legal advice or substitute for provisions of any statute, rule, or regulation.

You may want to consult the Act and the  Board’s procedural rules. The Board’s environmental regulations  on air pollution, land pollution, water pollution, and other types of pollution are found in  Title 35 of the Illinois Administrative Code.  Additionally, the Clerk’s Office, at the number listed below, can provide you with a copy of specific regulations that might apply to your situation.

If you have any questions, please contact the Clerk's Office at 312-814-3629.

In the past, when the Board received informal complaints alleging noise pollution, the Board forwarded them to the Illinois Environmental  Protection Agency (IEPA) to investigate. IEPA, however, no longer has the resources to operate a noise program. Accordingly, IEPA is no longer investigating alleged noise pollution.

The Board notes that anyone can file a formal complaint with the Board, alleging noise violations under the Environmental Protection Act (Act)  (415 ILCS 5/1 et seq.) and Board regulations. As with any citizen enforcement action before the Board, you, as the complainant, would have to gather evidence to  prove the violations that you allege. You may want to consult the Act, the Board's procedural rules, and Board's noise regulations.

Whether or not you bring a formal enforcement action before the Board, you may wish to hire a noise consultant to assist with your problem.

Finally, as IEPA no longer runs a noise program, it suggests that you also consider reporting your noise concern to the local police or  health department. Local authorities may provide you with guidance, or take steps on their own to enforce the State's noise laws. The Board, as the State's  environmental court and rulemaking body, has no investigators.

If you have additional questions please call the Clerk's Office at 312-814-3629.

The IEPA's mission is to safeguard environmental quality, consistent with the social and economic  needs of the State, so as to protect health, welfare, property and the quality of life.

The Department of Agriculture protects and promotes the state's agricultural and natural resources.  Through its bureaus, the agency provides services that benefit consumers, farmers, and agribusinesses.

The IDNR has the responsibility to conserve, preserve and enhance Illinois resources, while meeting the  outdoor recreation needs of Illinois' large and diverse population. Department programs address a wide scope of concerns, ranging from developing recreational  facilities to accommodate more people on public lands, to protecting natural areas. The department also manages game and fish populations, while protecting endangered  plant and animal species.