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The Illinois House Environment & Energy Committee will hear HB 5521 this afternoon at 4 p.m. that seeks to establish fees based on the number of chemicals that your report on your annual Tier 2 chemical inventory report.

The Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) is proposing a $50 fee for each facility that files a report plus an additional $20 for every EHS chemical and $10 for every non-EHS chemical you report.  IFCA has taken a look at the proposal and determined that for most ag retailers, the fee will range from $100 to $500.  For chemical distributors, the fee will be higher due to larger numbers of chemical stored and would be as much as $800 to $1000.  This would be an annual fee.

Below are the representatives on the Environment & Energy Committee and many of them represent agricultural districts.  IFCA will provide testimony in committee today opposing these fees but if your legislator is listed below it will help greatly if you also call their Springfield office and voice your opposition.  You should oppose because:

1.  The Tier 2 reports are a federal mandate and businesses should not have to bear the cost of the program, which is merely a reporting system with little to no service provided to the industry.  Most IFCA members already donate to the local fire departments which are the ones that provide service to the community. 

2.  IEMA also receives money from the USDOT hazardous materials program, for which agribusinesses are already paying an annual fee of $275 for small businesses and $1000 for larger businesses with over 100 employees. 

3.  There are no guarantees that fees paid into IEMA won't be swept into the general revenue fund as all other state funds have, and used to pay the state's backlogged bills. 

Here are the state representatives on the committee and their Springfield office number, all are 217 area code.  Tell their secretary who you are and that you oppose HB 5521 and ask them to vote NO in committee today. 

Bob Flider (D-Mt. Zion) 782-8398

Dan Beiser (D-Alton) 782-5596

Dan Reitz (D-Steelville) 782-1018

Chapin Rose (R-Mahomet) 558-1006

Brandon Phelps (D-Norris City) 782-5131

Raymond Poe (R-Springfield) 782-0044

Mike Smith (D-Canton) 782-8152

Patrick Verschoore (D-Milan) 782-5970

Jim Watson (R-Jacksonville) 782-1840

Dave Winters (R-Shirland) 782-0455

John Bradley (D-Marion) 782-1051

Tom Holbrook (D-Belleville) 782-0104

Please make this call before 3:30 today, March 10th.  If you have questions please call Jean Payne at 309.826.3236.  Thank you!