Public Act 0453 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SB1242 Enrolled LRB095 09756 CMK 29964 b

Public Act 095-0453

AN ACT concerning climate change.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the Illinois Cool Cities Act.

Section 5. Findings. The General Assembly finds that:

Global climate change threatens the State's economy, public health, and environment.

Units of local government across the State are endorsing the U.S. Conference of Mayors Climate Protection Agreement, committing to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 7% from 1990 levels by the year 2012.

It is in the best interest of the State for units of local government to make this commitment and to achieve these goals.

Section 10. State assistance to local greenhouse gas reduction initiatives. The Environmental Protection Agency shall provide technical assistance, if needed, to units of local government in the State that have endorsed the U.S. Conference of Mayors Climate Protection Agreement. Upon request by a unit of local government, the Agency shall provide:

(1) assistance in developing an inventory of greenhouse gas emissions; and

(2) assistance in determining the emissions reductions benefits of measures under consideration to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Section 15. Cool cities.

(a) Any unit of local government may request designation as an Illinois Cool City if the unit of local government has:

(1) endorsed the U.S. Conference of Mayors Climate Protection Agreement; and

(2) prepared and approved a plan to achieve a 7% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from 1990 levels by the year 2012.

(b) Upon a finding by the Director of the Environmental Protection Agency that (i) the greenhouse gas emissions reduction plan developed by a unit of local government, under subsection (a) of this Section, accurately estimates the emissions reduction benefits of the measures it contains and (ii) there is evidence of commitment by the unit of local government to implement the greenhouse gas emissions reduction plan, then the State shall provide, upon request, to any unit of local government designated as an Illinois Cool City under this Section:

(1) signs for posting at major entry points to the unit of local government noting its designation as an Illinois Cool City; and

(2) a graphic image for use by the unit of local government in printed and electronic communications, noting its designation as an Illinois Cool City.

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon becoming law.