Illinois Environmental Laws
This page outlines Illinois’s environmental laws, the Illinois agencies responsible for enforcing those laws, and the people responsible for creating Illinois’s laws.
Scroll down to learn more about Illinois.
Illinois Environmental Lawmakers
Click here to see which Illinois lawmakers are responsible for protecting the environment.
Illinois has two committees devoted to environmental protection - one in the Illinois State Senate, and one in the Illinois State House of Representatives.
The committees are responsible for drafting legislation to regulate matters related to the state’s environment and natural resources. After the committees complete their drafts, the proposed law is then presented to the full Senate and House.
To pass laws in Illinois, a majority of both the Illinois House and Illinois Senate must vote to support the proposed law (a bill). The Governor must then sign the bill into law or veto it.
Illinois Statutes
The Illinois legislature passes laws pursuant to its constitutional power.
Click here to see which laws Illinois has passed to regulate the environment.
Illinois Regulatory Agencies
Illinois regulatory agencies enforce the laws passed by Illinois’s legislature. The agencies also pass their own regulations to carry out the duties assigned to them.
Click here to see how these agencies regulate activities affecting the environment.
Delaware Constitution
The Illinois Constitution does not directly address protection of the natural environment. However, several provisions allow for the Illinois government to regulate land use and natural resources.
Click here to see which Constitutional provisions allow for environmental regulation.