Section 1075.220  Functional Organizational Description

a)         It is the mission of the Illinois Department of Nuclear Safety to protect the citizens of this state from any and all health hazards which they might encounter from the various uses of radioactive materials and radiation-producing devices − whether industrial, medical or otherwise. To accomplish this mission, the Department shall:

1)         Supervise and regulate low level radioactive waste generated within the state and serve as the cognizant state agency in regard to the management and disposal of high level radioactive waste produced in Illinois, including commercial spent nuclear fuel.

2)         Plan and coordinate appropriate responses to emergencies at nuclear power stations and other nuclear fuel cycle facilities.  Plan and coordinate appropriate responses to accidents elsewhere which involve radioactive materials or radiation-producing devices.

3)         Establish and implement a remote monitoring system capable of identifying and quantifying the radioactive components of all effluents from nuclear power stations.

4)         Regulate and inspect medical and industrial facilities using radiation-producing equipment (primarily X-ray machines) or radioactive materials.  Establish minimum education requirements for individuals who apply radiation to patients.

5)         Cooperate with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission in regard to the inspection and regulation of all nuclear power plants in Illinois − whether operating, under construction, or in the planning stage.  Oversee the inspection of pressure boilers within nuclear steam-generating facilities.

6)         Oversee and coordinate the transportation of radioactive materials within the state.

7)         Oversee employer monitoring of all employees subject to radiation exposure.

8)         Study the impact and cost of nuclear power compared with alternative sources of energy, the potential effects of all radioactive emissions on the public health and safety, and all other factors which bear on the safe use of nuclear power.  Formulate a general state nuclear policy based on these findings.

b)         It is the policy of the Department of Nuclear Safety to fulfill these duties with the highest degree of technical, legal and social responsibility and expertise in order to accomplish this mission.  The department's mandate is to deal effectively with the entire spectrum of nuclear and radiological issues, working with federal, local and other state agencies to keep the public informed and protected.  In that respect, the Department shall work within the governmental system to assure effective performance and coordination of efforts on an ongoing basis throughout the nuclear and radiological safety field.

c)         The Director and his deputy provide the leadership necessary to meet the goals and objectives of Illinois' nuclear safety program.  Questions of agency policy and final decisions on all radiological issues are determined by the Director.

d)         The Deputy Director advises the Director on all departmental matters, and is primarily responsible for the day-to-day operations of the agency.

e)         Elements working immediately under the Director and his deputy include legal counsel, policy analysis, public and governmental relations, internal audits and administrative assistance.

f)          The Office of Nuclear Facility Safety monitors all Illinois nuclear power plants and areas surrounding them to ensure the safe and efficient operation of the facilities and to guard against hazards to the public. Two divisions comprise the office.

1)         Division of Reactor Safety:  This division monitors the design, construction and operation of nuclear power stations and related facilities.  Ongoing activities include design review and frequent inspection of these facilities with particular emphasis on employee safety, radioactive discharges, and proper maintenance of the components of the facilities in compliance with federal and state standards.

2)         Division of Environmental Monitoring:  This division monitors areas surrounding nuclear power plants and related facilities.  The division annually collects samples of air, water, milk, fish, vegetation and soil from the areas around the facilities.  Also, the division is developing an "early warning system" for nuclear plants which will provide immediate notification of federal, state and local officials in the event of emission of radioactive materials from the facilities.

g)         The Office of Radiation Safety is responsible for the safe and effective use of Radiation Producing Machines and radioactive materials. The goal of the office is to eliminate any unnecessary radiation exposure to individuals resulting from such sources.  Three divisions comprise the office.

1)         Division of Electronic Products Safety:  This division registers medical, dental, analytical and industrial X-ray machines and inspects them to assure conformance with applicable laws and regulations.  The division also registers lasers.  Another important responsibility is the monitoring of workers in these areas for radiation exposure.  Training of persons using radiation devices is another part of the division's work, along with limiting the radiation exposure of medical and dental X-ray patients in a manner consistent with effective treatment and diagnosis.

2)         Division of Nuclear Materials:  This division grants licenses to physicians, hospitals, radiopharmaceutical manufacturers and industry for the manufacture, distribution or use of radioactive materials.  After thoroughly reviewing the kind of material involved, its proposed use, and the applicant's training and experience, a license may be issued. Subsequently, the division inspects licensees to assure compliance with applicable laws and regulations.  When a licensee no longer uses radioactive materials, it is the division's responsibility to ensure that the facility is decommissioned to indicate the facility is free from contamination and suitable for public use.

3)         Division of Radiologic Technology Certification:  This division is responsible for the licensing of qualified individuals in the Medical Radiologic Technologies of Radiography, Nuclear Medicine, and Radiation Therapy.  In addition to the licensure of these disciplines, the Division is also responsible for the establishment of standards for education, training, experience, and continuing education in Medical Radiation Technology.

h)         The Office of Waste and Transportation Management is responsible for the inspection of the handling and disposing of low level radioactive waste and the transporting of all radioactive waste within Illinois.  It also is responsible for enforcement of state regulations regarding these activities.  Two divisions comprise the office.

1)         Division of Waste Management:  This division assists in formulating policy for the safe handling and disposing of low level radioactive waste by providing technical input and expertise (handling and disposing of spent fuel and high level waste is the responsibility of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission).  The division also gathers and collects the latest information concerning radioactive waste from technical and governmental sources for use by other state agencies and interest groups. The division is responsible for developing, monitoring and decommissioning low level radioactive waste sites within Illinois.

2)         Division of Transportation Coordination:  This division is responsible for formulating a comprehensive plan regarding the transportation of nuclear and radioactive materials within Illinois.  The division also is charged with the "primary responsibility" for all state regulation of such materials which relate to public health and safety.  That responsibility includes overseeing and coordinating the regulatory functions performed by the Illinois Department of Transportation, the Illinois Department of Law Enforcement, and the Illinois Commerce Commission.

i)          The Office of Technical Support consists of three diversified sections providing the broad base of technical expertise necessary to support all departmental programs.  Those sections and their functions are as follows:

1)         Emergency Planning:  This section is responsible for developing, implementing and maintaining the Illinois Plan for Radiological Accidents, a statewide program designed to protect the health and safety of Illinois citizens in the event of a nuclear accident.  The section also supplies tactical support.  That support includes obtaining, operating and maintaining sophisticated nuclear radiation detection equipment, a statewide multi-frequency radio-telecommunications network, specialized emergency response vehicles, the agency's automotive fleet and equipment inventory and other logistical support for agency activities.

2)         Management Information Services:  This section is responsible for developing, obtaining, installing, operating and maintaining those EDP resources necessary to support agency programs.

3)         Radiochemistry Laboratory Services:  This section is charged with formulating, obtaining, installing, operating and maintaining the nuclear analytical resources needed to support agency activities.  This section interprets all data produced by the laboratory and advises other technical staff members.

j)          The Office of Administrative Support handles problems related to the agency's financial requirements and responsibilities and other daily administrative functions.  Staffing of the department is a major job of this office.  The office also must contend with routine recordkeeping and clerical chores necessary to keep the agency operating smoothly.