About
the Illinois EPA
The Illinois General Assembly was the first state legislature in
the nation to adopt a comprehensive Environmental Protection Act.
It was signed into law by Governor Richard Ogilvie and became
effective on July 1, 1970. As a part of that act, the Illinois
Environmental Protection Agency was created.
The mission of the Illinois EPA 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.
Today, the Illinois EPA is composed of roughly 1,200 employees,
working in the headquarters in Springfield and in nine field offices
and three laboratories throughout the state.
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