Bill > HB4459

This bill, titled the Local Government Open Burn Permit Act, requires individuals to obtain a local government open burn permit from the municipality or county where an open burn is to take place, in addition to any existing permit from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA). This new permit requirement applies to various types of open burning, including for fire fighter training, landscape waste burning, prairie burns, and disaster debris burning. Counties and municipalities are empowered to create their own rules for these permits, enter into agreements to implement the Act, and can charge a fee of up to $5 per permit, with the proceeds designated for fire protection. The bill mandates that all counties and municipalities establish an online platform with an application form for these permits, a list of "no burn days" (days when open burning is restricted due to safety concerns), and a way for the public to report violations. The IEPA is authorized to propose rules, and the Pollution Control Board can adopt them to administer the Act. Penalties for violations include civil fines of up to $100,000 for burning without a local permit on a non-restricted day, and up to $500,000 for burning without a local permit on a restricted day, with enforcement by State's Attorneys, the Attorney General, or city attorneys. The bill also limits the ability of home rule units (counties and municipalities with self-governance powers) to enact regulations inconsistent with this Act.

https://www.ilga.gov/Legislation/BillStatus?DocNum=4459&GAID=18&DocTypeID=HB&SessionID=114&GA=104