# Illinois HB1608: EPA-ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE

Illinois HB1608, EPA-ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE, is a 104th General Assembly (2025–2026) House bill sponsored by Sonya M. Harper (Democratic); status in committee, last action 2025-03-21 (Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee) (as of 2026-11-01).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IL-HB1608-2025-2026
- As of: 2026-11-01
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: Illinois HB1608
- State: Illinois
- Session: 104th General Assembly (2025–2026)
- Title: EPA-ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE
- Status: in committee
- Chamber: House
- Introduced: 2025-01-23
- Last action: 2025-03-21, Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee
- Sponsor: Sonya M. Harper (Democratic)
- Cosponsors: 1
- Subjects: energy & environment
- Touches household money: no
- Economic provisions PRIA read: 0

## Summary

Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Requires the Environmental Protection Agency to annually review and update the underlying data for, and use of, indicators used to determine whether a community is designated as an environmental justice community and to establish a process by which communities not designated as environmental justice communities may petition for such a designation. Provides that an applicant for a permit for the construction of a new source that will become a major source subject to the Clean Air Act Permit Program to be located in an environmental justice community or a new source that has or will require a federally enforceable State operating permit and that will be located in an environmental justice community must conduct a public meeting prior to submission of the permit application and must submit with the permit application an environmental justice assessment identifying the potential environmental and health impacts to the area associated with the proposed project. Provides requirements for the environmental justice assessment. Contains provisions regarding public participation requirements for permitting transactions in an environmental justice community. Provides that, if the Agency grants a permit to construct, modify, or operate a facility that emits air pollutants and is classified as a minor source, a third party may petition the Pollution Control Board for a hearing to contest the issuance of the permit. Contains provisions regarding environmental justice grievances. Defines terms. Contains other provisions.

## Bill overview

No economic impacts identified for this bill.

## Sponsors and cosponsors

- Sponsor: Sonya M. Harper (Democratic), House
- Cosponsor: Camille Y. Lilly (Democratic), House

## Actions (6)

- 2025-03-21: Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee (House)
- 2025-03-03: Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Camille Y. Lilly (House)
- 2025-02-18: Assigned to Energy & Environment Committee (House)
- 2025-01-28: Referred to Rules Committee (House)
- 2025-01-28: First Reading (House)
- 2025-01-23: Filed with the Clerk by Rep. Sonya M. Harper (House)

## Bill text

- Introduced: [PDF](https://www.ilga.gov/documents/legislation/104/HB/PDF/10400HB1608.pdf)

## Related bills

- HB5198: AFFORDABLE HOUSING-CILAS (passed house)
- SB1937: PENSION CODE-VARIOUS (passed senate)
- HB2563: CONDO-RESERVE STUDY (in committee)
- HB4701: LIMITATIONS FACILITY FEES ACT (in committee)
- SB3008: DHS-ABLE PROGRAM INFO MATERIAL (passed senate)
- SB3484: VEH CD-PLATES-REGISTRATION (signed)

## Sources
- [Introduced (PDF)](https://www.ilga.gov/documents/legislation/104/HB/PDF/10400HB1608.pdf)

## Related
- [HB5198: AFFORDABLE HOUSING-CILAS](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IL-HB5198-2025-2026)
- [SB1937: PENSION CODE-VARIOUS](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IL-SB1937-2025-2026)
- [HB2563: CONDO-RESERVE STUDY](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IL-HB2563-2025-2026)
- [HB4701: LIMITATIONS FACILITY FEES ACT](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IL-HB4701-2025-2026)
- [SB3008: DHS-ABLE PROGRAM INFO MATERIAL](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IL-SB3008-2025-2026)
- [SB3484: VEH CD-PLATES-REGISTRATION](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IL-SB3484-2025-2026)
- [Illinois bills](https://policyrisk.com/states/illinois/bills)
- [Illinois state hub](https://policyrisk.com/states/illinois)
- [All state legislation](https://policyrisk.com/state-bills)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IL-HB1608-2025-2026 (as of 2026-11-01).