BIENNIAL REPORT 2007 - 2008 . Illinois Environmental Protection Agency
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• Cleaner domestic fuels are becoming
increasingly popular among fleet
owners and individuals. The Illinois
Green Fleets and Alternate Fuel Rebate
Programs continue to expand and offer
great incentives to those purchasing
cleaner vehicles and fuels.
• The vehicle inspection and maintenance
program was streamlined to incorporate
advanced technology.
Individuals are now more aware of their impact
on the environment than ever before. The
Illinois EPA will continue to reach out to the
general public; however, the principal goal is
to meet national ambient air quality standards
(NAAQS). Illinois officials continue to work
on numerous issues to help achieve this goal,
including working directly with industry or, if
necessary, challenging federal proposals that
may negatively impact Illinois air quality.
A federally mandated vehicle emissions testing
program is part of the state’s ongoing program
for clean air progress in the Chicago and Metro
East areas. The testing program results in a
reduction of more than 12 percent in the
pollutants from cars that contribute to smog in
the air.
Air Quality Improvements
Continue in Illinois
The Illinois EPA continually watches air
quality throughout Illinois and especially in the
State’s metropolitan area. A monitoring
network of more than 200 monitors located at
80 different sites provides data to the Agency
that is documented and tracked throughout the
year. 2007 and 2008 were exceptional years
for Illinois, as air quality was either good or
moderate at 93 percent of the time in 2007 and
96 percent of the time in 2008.
In terms of the Air Quality Index (AQI) air
quality during 2007, there was one day (due to
Ozone) when air quality in some part of
Illinois was considered Unhealthy (category
Red). There were 24 days when air quality in
some part of Illinois was considered Unhealthy
for Sensitive Groups (category Orange).
Comparatively, in 2008, there were no days
when air quality in some part of Illinois was
considered Unhealthy (category Red). There
were 14 days when air quality in some part of
Illinois was considered Unhealthy for Sensitive
Groups (category orange). This includes the
new ozone and PM2.5 AQI adjustments
implemented in 2008. Had the revised AQI
been in place in the prior year, it would have
shown 45 Unhealthy for Sensitive Group days
for 2007.
Air quality trends for the criteria pollutants are
continuing to show downward trends or stable
trends well below the level of the standards.
Percentage changes over the ten year period
1999 – 2008 are as follows: Particulate Matter
(PM10) 14 percent decrease, Particulate Matter
(PM 2.5) 20 percent decrease, Sulfur Dioxide
15 percent decrease, Nitrogen Dioxide 13
percent decrease, Carbon Monoxide 47 percent
decrease, Lead 18 percent decrease, and Ozone
12 percent decrease.
While annual trends show the statewide levels
well below the federal standards, there are
some areas of Illinois that do not meet federal
air quality standards for Ozone and fine
Particulate Matter. The Agency continues
regulatory efforts as well as voluntary
programs for businesses and individual citizens
to improve air quality and bring the State in
compliance with the federal standards.
Landmark Air Emission Reduction
Agreements Made Under the
Illinois Mercury Rule and Clean
Air Interstate Rule Show Progress
Illinois Mercury Rule
• The Illinois mercury rule was final and
effective in December 2007.
• The Illinois mercury rule requires greater
reductions of mercury more quickly than
the, now vacated, federal Clean Air
Mercury Rule or CAMR.
IEPA air monitor on roof
