Environment

Amends the Environmental Protection Act. In provisions regarding ethylene oxide emissions from nonnegligible ethylene oxide emissions sources, adds requirements for an Ambient Air Monitoring Plan that substantially mirror requirements in provisions regarding ethylene oxide emissions from ethylene oxide sterilization sources. Changes the definition of "nonnegligible ethylene oxide emissions source" to any ethylene oxide emissions source permitted by the Agency that currently emits more than 30 pounds of ethylene oxide, with certain other requirements (rather than an ethylene oxide emissions source permitted by the Agency that currently emits more than 150 pounds of ethylene oxide, with certain other requirements). Removes a provision in that definition that excludes facilities that are ethylene oxide sterilization sources or hospitals that are licensed under the Hospital Licensing Act or operated under the University of Illinois Hospital Act.

Provides that the amendatory Act may be referred to as the Land Conservation Incentives Act. Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Provides that, for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2025, there is a tax credit of up to $200,000 with respect to qualified real property interest conveyed for conservation and preservation purposes as the qualified donation by the taxpayer, with certain requirements. Provides that any taxpayer claiming this tax credit may not claim a credit under any similar law for costs related to the same project. Provides that any tax credits from the donation of an interest in land made by a pass-through tax entity such as a trust, estate, partnership, limited liability corporation or partnership, limited partnership, S corporation, or other fiduciary shall be used either by such entity if it is the taxpayer on behalf of such entity or by the member, manager, partner, shareholder, or beneficiary, as the case may be, in proportion to their interest in such entity if the income, deductions, and tax liability passes through such entity to such member, manager, partner, shareholder, or beneficiary, and that such tax credits may not be claimed by both the entity and the member, manager, partner, shareholder, or beneficiary for the same donation. Requires the Department of Natural Resources and Department of Revenue to adopt rules. Defines terms. Makes findings.

Creates the Disposable Food Service Container Act. Provides that, beginning January 1, 2030, a person may not sell or distribute in this State a disposable food service container that is composed in whole or in part of polystyrene foam. Specifies that the prohibition does not apply to any activity authorized under an ordinance or resolution adopted by a unit of local government on or before January 1, 2024 or with respect to sales made to a unit of local government for use by the unit of local government for its internal operations. Sets forth penalties for violations of the Act. Limits home rule powers. Effective immediately.

Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Directs the Environmental Protection Agency to establish an enhanced statewide environmental monitoring program for the purpose of protecting communities in the State, including especially environmental justice communities, from the threats to human health caused by pollution of the State's land and waters.

Creates the Riparian Protection and Water Quality Practices Act. Requires landowners who own property that is adjacent to a water body identified and mapped on a buffer-protection map to maintain a buffer to protect the State's water resources. Sets forth requirements concerning the types of buffers that must be installed and the timelines for their installation. Requires soil and water conservation districts to develop and submit to each local water management authority a summary of watercourses within their jurisdiction by July 1, 2026. Requires local water management authorities to incorporate these recommendations into their comprehensive water management plans. Exempts certain lands from the requirements of the Act. Allows the Department to withhold funding from local authorities that fail to implement the Act. Contains provisions concerning judicial review of decisions of the Department of Natural Resources. Specifies that the Act applies to State property. Defines terms.

Amends Public Act 103-0589. Increases the Fiscal Year 2025 appropriation to the Department of Agriculture from the Partners for Conservation Fund for grants to Soil and Water Conservation Districts for ordinary and contingent administrative expenses from $4,500,000 to $8,500,000. Effective immediately.

Amends Public Act 103-0589. Increases the Fiscal Year 2025 appropriation to the Department of Agriculture from the Partners for Conservation Fund for grants to Soil and Water Conservation Districts for ordinary and contingent administrative expenses from $4,500,000 to $8,500,000. Effective immediately.

Creates the Plastic Bottle Cap Reduction Act. Provides that, beginning January 1, 2029, a manufacturer may not sell, offer for sale, or distribute for sale in the State a single-use plastic beverage container with a plastic beverage cap unless the plastic beverage cap is composed of a plastic resin with the same resin identification code as the single-use plastic beverage container and the cap either (1) is tethered to the container in a manner that prevents the separation of the cap from the container when the cap is removed or (2) includes an opening from which the beverage can be consumed while the cap remains screwed onto or otherwise affixed to the container. Provides that a manufacturer that produces single-use plastic beverage containers shall provide to the Environmental Protection Agency upon request all information necessary for the Agency to determine the manufacturer's compliance with the Act. Provides for an entity with a legally recognized corporate relationship to a manufacturer to assume the manufacturer's responsibilities under the Act. Provides that the requirements of the Act do not apply to a manufacturer of beer, wine, or spirits that annually produces 50,000 gallons or less of any one or more of those products or to a manufacturer of beverages other than beer, wine, or spirits that annually produces 250,000 or fewer single-use plastic beverage containers containing its product. Provides that any person who violates any provision of the Act shall be liable for a civil penalty of $1,000 per violation per day. Authorizes the Attorney General or State's Attorney to prosecute violations of the Act. Defines terms.

Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Provides that a person may not knowingly release or cause to be released into the atmosphere within a 24-hour period 25 or more helium or other lighter-than-air gas balloons in the State unless the balloons are (1) used by an institution of higher education or a governmental agency, or pursuant to a governmental contract, for bona fide scientific or meteorological purposes, (2) released indoors and remain indoors, or (3) are helium balloons used for the safe operation of a hot air balloon. Provides that persons who violate the amendatory Act's provisions shall be subject to civil penalties in specified amounts and that the release of 25 balloons or fewer at one time is a single offense. Makes corresponding changes in provisions regarding mitigation or aggravation of penalty in determining the appropriate civil penalty to be imposed, as well as regarding minimum penalties based on economic benefits.

Appropriates $960,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the Department of Agriculture for costs associated with the Crop Insurance Rebate Initiative to provide incentives for at least 1,000,000 acres of eligible land. Effective July 1, 2025.