415 ILCS 5/ Environmental Protection Act.

(415 ILCS 5/16) (from Ch. 111 1/2, par. 1016)

Sec. 16. Plans and specifications submitted pursuant to Section 15 of this Act shall be approved if determined by the Agency to be satisfactory from the standpoint of sanitary quality, mineral quality, and adequacy of the water supply.

(Source: P.A. 76-2429.)

(415 ILCS 5/16.1) (from Ch. 111 1/2, par. 1016.1)

Sec. 16.1. Permit fees.

(a) Except as provided in subsection (f), the Agency shall collect a fee in the amount set forth in subsection (d) from: (1) each applicant for a construction permit under this Title, or regulations adopted hereunder, to install or extend water main; and (2) each person who submits as-built plans under this Title, or regulations adopted hereunder, to install or extend water main.

(b) Except as provided in subsection (c), each applicant or person required to pay a fee under this Section shall submit the fee to the Agency along with the permit application or as-built plans. The Agency shall deny any construction permit application for which a fee is required under this Section that does not contain the appropriate fee. The Agency shall not approve any as-built plans for which a fee is required under this Section that do not contain the appropriate fee.

(c) Each applicant for an emergency construction permit under this Title, or regulations adopted hereunder, to install or extend a water main shall submit the appropriate fee to the Agency within 10 calendar days from the date of issuance of the emergency construction permit.

(d) The amount of the fee is as follows:

(1) $240 if the construction permit application is to install or extend water main that is more than 200 feet, but not more than 1,000 feet in length;

(2) $720 if the construction permit application is to install or extend water main that is more than 1,000 feet but not more than 5,000 feet in length;

(3) $1200 if the construction permit application is to install or extend water main that is more than 5,000 feet in length.

(e) Prior to a final Agency decision on a permit application for which a fee has been paid under this Section, the applicant may propose modifications to the application in accordance with this Act and regulations adopted hereunder without any additional fee becoming due unless the proposed modifications cause the length of water main to increase beyond the length specified in the permit application before the modifications. If the modifications cause such an increase and the increase results in additional fees being due under subsection (d), the applicant shall submit the additional fee to the Agency with the proposed modifications.

(f) No fee shall be due under this Section from (1) any department, agency or unit of State government for installing or extending a water main; (2) any unit of local government with which the Agency has entered into a written delegation agreement under Section 4 of this Act which allows such unit to issue construction permits under this Title, or regulations adopted hereunder, for installing or extending a water main; or (3) any unit of local government or school district for installing or extending a water main where both of the following conditions are met: (i) the cost of the installation or extension is paid wholly from monies of the unit of local government or school district, State grants or loans, federal grants or loans, or any combination thereof; and (ii) the unit of local government or school district is not given monies, reimbursed or paid, either in whole or in part, by another person (except for State grants or loans or federal grants or loans) for the installation or extension.

(g) The Agency may establish procedures relating to the collection of fees under this Section. The Agency shall not refund any fee paid to it under this Section.

(h) For the purposes of this Section, the term "water main" means any pipe that is to be used for the purpose of distributing potable water which serves or is accessible to more than one property, dwelling or rental unit, and that is exterior to buildings.

(i) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, the Agency shall, not later than 45 days following the receipt of both an application for a construction permit and the fee required by this Section, either approve that application and issue a permit or tender to the applicant a written statement setting forth with specificity the reasons for the disapproval of the application and denial of a permit. If there is no final action by the Agency within 45 days after the filing of the application for a permit, the applicant may deem the permit issued.

(Source: P.A. 93-32, eff. 7-1-03.)

(415 ILCS 5/17) (from Ch. 111 1/2, par. 1017)

Sec. 17. Rules; chlorination requirements.

(a) The Board may adopt regulations governing the location, design, construction, and continuous operation and maintenance of public water supply installations, changes or additions which may affect the continuous sanitary quality, mineral quality, or adequacy of the public water supply, pursuant to Title VII of this Act.

(b) The Agency shall exempt from any mandatory chlorination requirement of the Board any community water supply which meets all of the following conditions:

(1) The population of the community served is not more than 5,000;

(2) Has as its only source of raw water one or more properly constructed wells into confined geologic formations not subject to contamination;

(3) Has no history of persistent or recurring contamination, as indicated by sampling results which show violations of finished water quality requirements, for the most recent five-year period;

(4) Does not provide any raw water treatment other than fluoridation;

(5) Has an active program approved by the Agency to educate water supply consumers on preventing the entry of contaminants into the water system;

(6) Has a certified operator of the proper class, or is an exempt community water supply, under the Public Water Supply Operations Act;

(7) Submits samples for microbiological analysis at twice the frequency specified in the Board regulations; and

(8) A unit of local government seeking to exempt its public water supply from the chlorination requirement under this subsection (b) on or after September 9, 1983 shall be required to receive the approval of the voters of such local government. The proposition to exempt the community water supply from the mandatory chlorination requirement shall be placed on the ballot if the governing body of the local government adopts an ordinance or resolution directing the clerk of the local government to place such question on the ballot. The clerk shall cause the election officials to place the proposition on the ballot at the next election at which such proposition may be voted upon if a certified copy of the adopted ordinance or resolution is filed in his office at least 90 days before such election. The proposition shall also be placed on the ballot if a petition containing the signatures of at least 10% of the eligible voters residing in the local government is filed with the clerk at least 90 days before the next election at which the proposition may be voted upon. The proposition shall be in substantially the following form:

--------------------------------------------------------------

Shall the community

water supply of ..... (specify YES

the unit of local government)

be exempt from the mandatory ------------------------------

chlorination requirement NO

of the State of Illinois?

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If the majority of the voters of the local government voting therein vote in favor of the proposition, the community water supply of that local government shall be exempt from the mandatory chlorination requirement, provided that the other requirements under this subsection (b) are met. If the majority of the vote is against such proposition, the community water supply may not be exempt from the mandatory chlorination requirement.

Agency decisions regarding exemptions under this subsection may be appealed to the Board pursuant to the provisions of Section 40(a) of this Act.

(c) Any supply showing contamination in its distribution system (including finished water storage) may be required to chlorinate until the Agency has determined that the source of contamination has been removed and all traces of contamination in the distribution system have been eliminated. Standby chlorination equipment may be required by the Agency if a supply otherwise exempt from chlorination shows frequent or gross episodes of contamination.

(Source: P.A. 98-78, eff. 7-15-13.)

(415 ILCS 5/17.1) (from Ch. 111 1/2, par. 1017.1)

Sec. 17.1. (a) Every county or municipality which is served by a community water supply well may prepare a groundwater protection needs assessment. The county or municipality shall provide notice to the Agency regarding the commencement of an assessment. Such assessment shall consist of the following at a minimum:

(1) Evaluation of the adequacy of protection afforded to resource groundwater by the minimum setback zone and, if applicable, the maximum setback zone;

(2) Delineation, to the extent practicable, of the recharge area outside of any applicable setback zones but contained within any area over which the county or municipality has jurisdiction or control;

(3) Identification and location of potential primary and potential secondary sources and potential routes within, and if appropriate, in proximity to the delineated recharge area for each such well;

(4) Evaluation of the hazard associated with identified potential primary and potential secondary sources and potential routes contained within the recharge area specified according to subparagraph (a)(2) of this Section, taking into account the characteristics of such potential sources and potential routes, the nature and efficacy of containment measures and devices in use, the attenuative qualities of site soils in relation to the substances involved, the proximity of potential sources and potential routes and the nature, rate of flow, direction of flow and proximity of the uppermost geologic formation containing groundwater utilized by the well;

(5) Evaluation of the extent to which existing local controls provide, either directly or indirectly, some measure of groundwater protection; and

(6) Identification of practicable contingency measures, including provision of alternative drinking water supplies, which could be implemented in the event of contamination of the water supply.

(b) Upon completion of the groundwater protection needs assessment, the county or municipality shall publish, in a newspaper of general circulation within the county or municipality, notification of the completion of such assessment and of the availability of such assessment for public inspection. At a minimum, such assessment shall be available for inspection and copying, at cost, by the general public during regular business hours at the offices of such county or municipality. Information within the groundwater protection needs assessment which is claimed to be confidential, privileged or trade secret information shall be accorded protection by the county or municipality pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, as amended. A copy of the assessment shall be filed by the county or municipality with the Agency and any applicable regional planning committee within 30 days of completion.

(c) If a county or municipality has not commenced to prepare a groundwater protection needs assessment for a community water supply which is investor owned, then said owner may notify the county or municipality in writing of its intent to prepare such an assessment. The owner may proceed with the preparation of an assessment unless the county or municipality, within 30 days of the receipt of the written notice, responds in writing that an assessment will be undertaken. Upon receipt of such a written response, the owner shall not proceed for a period of 90 days. After this period, the owner may proceed to prepare an assessment if the county or municipality has not commenced such action. The owner shall provide notice to the Agency regarding the commencement of an assessment. An assessment which is prepared by such an owner shall be done in accordance with the provisions of subsection (a) of this Section. Upon completion of the assessment, the owner shall provide copies of such assessment to the county or municipality, any applicable regional planning committee and the Agency within 30 days.

(d) The Agency shall implement a survey program for community water supply well sites. The survey program shall be organized on a priority basis so as to efficiently and effectively address areas of protective need. Each well site survey shall consist of the following at a minimum:

(1) Summary description of the geographic area within a 1,000 foot radius around the wellhead;

(2) Topographic or other map of suitable scale of each well site denoting the location of the wellhead, the 1,000 foot radius around the wellhead, and the location of potential sources and potential routes of contamination within this zone;

(3) A summary listing of each potential source or potential route of contamination, including the name or identity and address of the facility, and a brief description of the nature of the facility; and

(4) A general geologic profile of the 1,000 foot radius around the wellhead, including depth and age of the well, construction of the casing, formations penetrated by the well and approximate thickness and extent of these formations.

(e) Upon completion of a well site survey, the Agency shall provide the county or municipality, any applicable regional planning committee and, where applicable, the owner and operator of the community water supply well, with a report which summarizes the results of the survey.

(f) Upon receipt of a notice of commencement of a groundwater protection needs assessment from a county or municipality pursuant to subsection (a), or from an owner of an investor owned community water supply pursuant to subsection (c), the Agency may determine that a well site survey is not necessary for that locale. If the county, municipality or other owner does not complete the assessment in a timely manner, then the Agency shall reconsider the need to conduct a survey.

(g) The Agency may issue an advisory of groundwater contamination hazard to a county or municipality which has not prepared a groundwater protection needs assessment and for which the Agency has conducted a well site survey. Such advisory may only be issued where the Agency determines that existing potential primary sources, potential secondary sources or potential routes identified in the survey represent a significant hazard to the public health or the environment. The Agency shall publish notice of such advisory in a newspaper of general circulation within the county or municipality and shall furnish a copy of such advisory to any applicable regional planning committee.

(h) Any county or municipality subject to subsection (a) above, but having a population of less than 25,000 or 5,000 persons, respectively, may request, upon receipt of a well site survey report, the Agency to identify those potential primary sources, potential secondary sources and potential routes which represent a hazard to the continued availability of groundwaters for public use, given the susceptibility of the groundwater recharge area to contamination. Such Agency action may serve in lieu of the groundwater protection needs assessment specified in subsection (a) of this Section. The Agency shall also inform any applicable regional planning committee regarding the findings made pursuant to this subsection.

(i) Upon request, the Agency and the Department of Natural Resources may provide technical assistance to counties or municipalities in conducting groundwater protection needs assessments.

(Source: P.A. 89-445, eff. 2-7-96.)

(415 ILCS 5/17.2) (from Ch. 111 1/2, par. 1017.2)

Sec. 17.2. (a) The Agency shall establish a regional groundwater protection planning program. The Agency, in cooperation with the Department of Natural Resources, shall designate priority groundwater protection planning regions. Such designations shall take into account the location of recharge areas that are identified and mapped by the Department of Natural Resources. Such designations may not be made until at least 18 months after the effective date of the Illinois Groundwater Protection Act or until the completion of the mapping by the Department of Natural Resources, whichever event occurs first.

(b) The Agency shall establish a regional planning committee for each priority groundwater protection planning region. Such committee shall be appointed by the Director and shall include representatives from the Agency and other State agencies as appropriate, representatives from among the counties and municipalities in the region, representatives from among the owners or operators of public water supplies which use groundwater in the region, and at least 3 members of the general public which have an interest in groundwater protection. From among the non-State agency members, a chairperson shall be selected by a majority vote. Members of a regional planning committee shall serve for a term of 2 years.

(c) Each regional planning committee shall be responsible for the following:

(1) identification of and advocacy for region-specific groundwater protection matters;

(2) monitoring and reporting the progress made within the region regarding implementation of protection for groundwaters;

(3) maintaining a registry of instances where the Agency has issued an advisory of groundwater contamination hazard within the region;

(4) facilitating informational and educational activities relating to groundwater protection within the region; and

(5) recommending to the Agency whether there is a need for regional protection pursuant to Section 17.3. Prior to making any such recommendation, the regional planning committee shall hold at least one public meeting at a location within the region. Such meeting may be held after not less than 30 days notice is provided, and shall provide an opportunity for public comment.

(d) The Agency shall provide the regional planning committee with such supporting services as are reasonable for the performance of its duties with the exception of any review proceeding resulting from a decision made by the Agency pursuant to subsection (b) of Section 17.3.

(Source: P.A. 89-445, eff. 2-7-96.)

(415 ILCS 5/17.3) (from Ch. 111 1/2, par. 1017.3)

Sec. 17.3. (a) The Agency may propose to the Board, pursuant to Section 28, a regulation establishing the boundary for a regulated recharge area if any of the following conditions exist:

(1) the Agency has previously issued one or more advisories within the area;

(2) the Agency determines that a completed groundwater protection needs assessment demonstrates a need for regional protection; or

(3) mapping completed by the Department of Natural Resources identifies a recharge area for which protection is warranted.

(b) The Agency shall propose to the Board, pursuant to Section 28, a regulation establishing the boundary for a regulated recharge area if a regional planning committee files a petition requesting and justifying such action, unless the Agency:

(1) determines that an equivalent proposal is already pending before the Board and so notifies the petitioner within 60 days of the receipt of the petition; or

(2) provides within 120 days a written explanation of why such action is not otherwise warranted.

Such action shall constitute a final determination of the Agency.

(c) At least 60 days prior to the filing of a proposal to establish the boundary for a regulated recharge area, the Agency shall notify in writing each affected county, municipality, township, soil and water conservation district and water district, and shall publish a notice of such intended action in a newspaper of general circulation within the affected area.

(d) In proposing a boundary for a regulated recharge area under this Section the Agency shall identify each community water supply well for which protection up to 2500 feet will be provided by operation of the regulations adopted by the Board under subsection (b) of Section 14.4 relative to existing activities within the proposed regulated recharge area.

(Source: P.A. 89-445, eff. 2-7-96.)

(415 ILCS 5/17.4) (from Ch. 111 1/2, par. 1017.4)

Sec. 17.4. (a) In promulgating a regulation to establish the boundary for a regulated recharge area, the Board shall, in addition to the factors set forth in Title VII of this Act, consider the following:

(1) the adequacy of protection afforded to potable resource groundwater by any applicable setback zones;

(2) applicability of the standards and requirements promulgated pursuant to Section 14.4;

(3) refinements in the groundwater quality standards which may be appropriate for the delineated area;

(4) the extent to which the delineated area may serve as a sole source of supply for public water supplies.

(b) The Board may only promulgate a regulation which establishes the boundary for a regulated recharge area if the Board makes a determination that the boundary of the delineated area is drawn so that the natural geological or geographic features contained therein are shown to be highly susceptible to contamination over a predominant portion of the recharge area.

(c) Nothing in this Section shall be construed as limiting the general authority of the Board to promulgate regulations pursuant to Title VII of this Act.

(Source: P.A. 85-863.)

(415 ILCS 5/17.5) (from Ch. 111 1/2, par. 1017.5)

Sec. 17.5. In accordance with Section 7.2, the Board shall adopt regulations which are "identical in substance" to federal regulations or amendments thereto promulgated by the Administrator of the United States Environmental Protection Agency to implement Sections 1412(b), 1414(c), 1417(a), and 1445(a) of the Safe Drinking Water Act (P.L. 93-523), as amended. The provisions and requirements of Title VII of this Act shall not apply to regulations adopted under this Section. Section 5-35 of the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act relating to procedures for rulemaking shall not apply to regulations adopted under this Section. However, the Board shall provide for notice and public comment before adopted rules are filed with the Secretary of State. The Board may consolidate into a single rulemaking under this Section all such federal regulations adopted within a period of time not to exceed 6 months.

(Source: P.A. 88-45.)

(415 ILCS 5/17.6)

Sec. 17.6. (Repealed).

(Source: P.A. 87-895. Repealed by P.A. 100-103, eff. 8-11-17.)

(415 ILCS 5/17.7) (from Ch. 111 1/2, par. 1017.7)

Sec. 17.7. Community water supply testing fee.

(a) The Agency shall collect an annual nonrefundable testing fee from each community water supply for participating in the laboratory fee program for analytical services to determine compliance with contaminant levels specified in State or federal drinking water regulations. A community water supply may commit to participation in the laboratory fee program. If the community water supply makes such a commitment, it shall commit for a period consistent with the participation requirements established by the Agency and the Community Water Supply Testing Council (Council). If a community water supply elects not to participate, it must annually notify the Agency in writing of its decision not to participate in the laboratory fee program.

(b) The Agency shall determine the fee for participating in the laboratory fee program for analytical services. The Agency may establish multi-year participation requirements for community water supplies and establish fees accordingly. The Agency shall base its annual fee determination upon the actual and anticipated costs for testing under State and federal drinking water regulations and the associated administrative costs of the Agency and the Council.

(c) Community water supplies that choose not to participate in the laboratory fee program or do not pay the fees shall have the duty to analyze all drinking water samples as required by State or federal safe drinking water regulations established after the federal Safe Drinking Water Act Amendments of 1986.

(d) There is hereby created in the State Treasury an interest-bearing special fund to be known as the Community Water Supply Laboratory Fund. All fees collected by the Agency under this Section shall be deposited into this Fund and shall be used for no other purpose except those established in this Section. In addition to any monies appropriated from the General Revenue Fund, monies in the Fund shall be appropriated to the Agency in amounts deemed necessary for laboratory testing of samples from community water supplies, and for the associated administrative expenses of the Agency and the Council.

(e) The Agency is authorized to adopt reasonable and necessary rules for the administration of this Section. The Agency shall submit the proposed rules for review by the Council before submission of the rulemaking for the First Notice under Section 5-40 of the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act.

(f) The Director shall establish a Community Water Supply Testing Council, consisting of 5 persons who are elected municipal officials, 5 persons representing community water supplies, one person representing the engineering profession, one person representing investor-owned utilities, one person representing the Illinois Association of Environmental Laboratories, and 2 persons representing municipalities and community water supplies on a statewide basis, all appointed by the Director. Beginning in 1994, the Director shall appoint the following to the Council: (i) 2 elected municipal officials, 2 community water supply representatives, and 1 investor-owned utility representative, each for a one-year term; (ii) 2 elected municipal officials and 2 community water supply representatives, each for a 2 year term; and (iii) one elected municipal official, one community water supply representative, one person representing the engineering profession, and 2 persons representing municipalities and community water supplies on a statewide basis, each for a 3 year term. As soon as possible after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 92nd General Assembly, the Director shall appoint one person representing the Illinois Association of Environmental Laboratories to a term of 3 years. Thereafter, the Director shall appoint successors in each position to 3 year terms. In case of a vacancy, the Director may appoint a successor to fill the remaining term of the vacancy. Members of the Council shall serve until a successor is appointed by the Director. The Council shall select from its members a chairperson and such other officers as it deems necessary. The Council shall meet at the call of the Director or the Chairperson of the Council. The Agency shall provide the Council with such supporting services as the Director and the Chairperson may designate, and members shall be reimbursed for ordinary and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties. The Council shall have the following duties:

(1) to hold regular and special meetings at a time and place designated by the Director or the Chairperson of the Council;

(2) to consider appropriate means for long-term financial support of water supply testing, and to make recommendations to the Agency regarding a preferred approach;

(3) to review and evaluate the financial implications of current and future federal requirements for monitoring of public water supplies;

(4) to review and evaluate management and financial audit reports related to the testing program, and to make recommendations regarding the Agency's efforts to implement the fee system and testing provided for by this Section;

(5) to require an external audit as may be deemed necessary by the Council; and

(6) to conduct such other activities as may be deemed appropriate by the Director.

(Source: P.A. 97-220, eff. 7-28-11.)

(415 ILCS 5/17.8)

Sec. 17.8. Environmental laboratory certification assessment.

(a) The Agency shall collect an annual administrative assessment from each laboratory requesting certification for meeting the minimum standards established under the authority of subsection (n) of Section 4. The Agency also shall collect an annual certification assessment for each certification requested, as listed below. Until the Agency and the Environmental Laboratory Certification Committee establish administrative and certification assessment schedules in accordance with the procedures of subsections (c) and (d-5) of this Section, the following assessment schedules shall remain in effect:

(1) For certification to conduct public water supply analyses:

(A) $1,000 per year for inorganic parameters; and

(B) $1,000 per year for organic parameters.

(2) For certification to conduct water pollution analyses:

(A) $1,000 per year for inorganic parameters; and

(B) $1,000 per year for organic parameters.

(3) For certification to conduct analyses of solid or liquid samples for hazardous or other waste parameters:

(A) $1,000 per year for inorganic parameters; and

(B) $1,000 per year for organic parameters.

(4) An administrative assessment of $2,400 per year from each laboratory requesting certification, provided that the administrative assessment shall be $3,900 if the laboratory was not certified at any time during the 6 months immediately preceding its application for certification.

(b) Until the Agency and the Environmental Laboratory Certification Committee establish administrative and certification assessment schedules in accordance with the procedures of subsections (c) and (d-5) of this Section, the following payment schedules shall remain in effect. The administrative and certification assessments shall be paid at the time the laboratory submits an application for certification or renewal of certification. Assessments paid under this Section may not be refunded.

(c) The Agency may establish procedures relating to the certification of laboratories, analyses of samples, development of alternative assessment schedules, assessment schedule dispute resolution, and collection of assessments. No assessment for the certification of environmental laboratories shall be due under this Section from any department, agency, or unit of State government. No assessments shall be due from any municipal government for certification to conduct public water supply analyses. The Agency's cost for certification of laboratories that are exempt from the assessment shall be excluded from the calculation of the alternative assessment schedules.

(d) All moneys collected by the Agency under this Section shall be deposited into the Environmental Laboratory Certification Fund, a special fund hereby created in the State treasury. Subject to appropriation, the Agency shall use the moneys in the Fund to pay expenses incurred in the administration of laboratory certification duties. All interest or other income earned from the investment of the moneys in the Fund shall be deposited into the Fund.

(d-5) The Agency, with the concurrence with the Environmental Laboratory Certification Committee, shall determine the assessment schedules for participation in the environmental laboratory certification program. The Agency, with the concurrence of the Committee, shall base the assessment schedules upon actual and anticipated costs for certification under State and federal programs and the associated costs of the Agency and Committee. If the Committee concurs with the Agency's assessment schedule determination, it shall thereupon take effect.

(e) The Director shall establish an Environmental Laboratory Certification Committee consisting of (i) one person representing accredited county or municipal public water supply laboratories, (ii) one person representing the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, (iii) one person representing accredited sanitary district or waste water treatment plant laboratories, (iv) 3 persons representing accredited environmental commercial laboratories duly incorporated in the State of Illinois and employing 20 or more people, (v) 2 persons representing accredited environmental commercial laboratories duly incorporated in the State of Illinois employing less than 20 people, and (vi) one person representing the Illinois Association of Environmental Laboratories, all appointed by the Director. If no accredited laboratories are available to fill one of the categories under item (iv) or (v) then any laboratory that has applied for accreditation may be eligible to fill that position. Beginning in 2002, the Director shall appoint 3 members of the Committee for a one-year term, 3 members of the Committee for 2-year terms, and 3 members of the Committee for 3-year terms. Thereafter, all terms shall be for 3 years, provided that all appointments made on or before December 31, 2012 shall end on December 31, 2012. Beginning on January 1, 2013, the Director shall appoint all members of the Committee for 6-year terms. In the case of a vacancy, the Director may appoint a successor to fill the remaining term of the vacancy. Members of the Committee shall serve until a successor is appointed by the Director. No member of the Committee shall serve more than 6 consecutive years. The Committee shall select from its members a Chairperson and any other officers that it deems necessary. The Committee shall meet at the call of the Chairperson or the Director. The Agency shall provide the Committee with any supporting services that the Director and the Chairperson may designate. Members of the Committee shall be reimbursed for ordinary and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties. The Committee shall have the following duties:

(1) To consider any alternative assessment schedules submitted by the Agency pursuant to subsection (c) of this Section;

(2) To review and evaluate the financial implications of current and future State and federal requirements for certification of environmental laboratories;

(3) To review and evaluate management and financial audit reports relating to the certification program and to make recommendations regarding the Agency's efforts to implement alternative assessment schedules;

(4) To consider appropriate means for long-term financial support of the laboratory certification program and to make recommendations to the Agency regarding a preferred approach;

(5) To provide technical review and evaluation of the laboratory certification program;

(6) To hold meetings at times and places designated by the Director or the Chairperson of the Committee; and

(7) To conduct any other activities as may be deemed appropriate by the Director.

(Source: P.A. 97-1081, eff. 8-24-12.)