You can read the emails from the IEPA here.
According to the Illinois EPA’s Environmental Justice Public Participation Policy:
Illinois EPA defines “area of [Environmental Justice] concern” as a census block group or areas within one mile of a census block group with income below poverty and/or minority population greater than twice the statewide average.
[ MCKINLEY PARK WAS IDENTIFIED AS AN EJ AREA on 7/18/17. ]
“Illinois EPA will encourage the permit applicant to meet with community stakeholders to promote open dialogue early in the permitting process for permitting actions likely to be of significant public interest.”
[ ACCORDING TO EMAILS BETWEEN ILEPA AND MAT ASPHALT, THIS DID NOT HAPPEN. ]
“The applicant is encouraged to provide notice to residents located in an area of EJ concern of the proposed project and provide basic information about the project to interested community members.”
[ACCORDING TO EMAILS BETWEEN ILEPA AND MAT ASPHALT, THIS DID NOT HAPPEN. ]
“The applicant is also encouraged to develop a Community Relations Plan to structure ongoing dialogue with neighboring communities.”
[ ACCORDING TO EMAILS BETWEEN ILEPA AND MAT ASPHALT, THIS DID NOT HAPPEN. ]
“The Illinois EPA and/or the source may hold an informational meeting or availability session.”
[ NEITHER THE ILEPA NOR MAT ASPHALT HELD A MEETING IN THE COMMUNITY PRIOR TO THE PLANT OPENING IN AUGUST 2018. ]
“Illinois EPA will make fact sheets available on the Agency’s webpage.”
[ IL EPA NEVER PREPARED A FACT SHEET ABOUT THE MAT ASPHALT PLANT UNTIL THE RELEASE OF A DRAFT PERMIT IN DEC 2019.]
For more information on the Illinois EPA’s Environmental Justice Policy, see their website including information on filing a grievance.
