Agency Seeks Public Input on Draft Plan to Spend Volkswagen Settlement Funds

SPRINGFIELD — The state is unveiling its plan to spend its share of a multi-billion dollar Volkswagen Settlement. Illinois has been allocated more than $108 million dollars after it was discovered Volkswagen installed emissions cheating software in certain diesel vehicles.

Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (Illinois EPA) Director Alec Messina announced today that the state’s draft plan will use the money to fund mobile source projects such as locomotives, large and medium trucks, buses that reduce nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions in Illinois, and related infrastructure – including electric charging stations.

“The substantial funding from the Volkswagen Settlement provides Illinois with the opportunity to achieve significant NOx emission reductions from mobile sources in areas that need it the most and to realize air quality benefits for its citizens,” said Director Messina.  “We look forward to public review of the draft Beneficiary Mitigation Plan and to the administration of Volkswagen funds in Illinois.”

The draft Beneficiary Mitigation Plan (BMP) was developed after a thorough review of settlement requirements and after numerous meetings, discussions and communications with stakeholders. The draft is available on the Illinois EPA website. The Agency will accept formal public input through April 13, 2018.

Illinois seeks to achieve the maximum reduction of NOx emissions possible.  Funds can be used to replace old diesel engines with new cleaner diesel, alternate fueled or electric engines.  Illinois EPA anticipates a minimum of three rounds of funding.

The draft BMP seeks to maximize NOx reductions by focusing on:

• reducing NOx emissions in areas where the affected Volkswagen vehicles are registered, while considering areas that bear a disproportionate share of the air pollution burden, including environmental justice areas; and
• maximizing emission reductions and funding.

To this end, Illinois’ draft BMP has identified three priority areas as well as categories and types of eligible projects.  Eligible projects include on-road cleaner diesel, alternate fueled and electric trucks and buses, and non-road freight switchers, locomotives and tugboats/ferries.  To promote electric vehicle adoption, Illinois will fund electric vehicle infrastructure in all eligible projects.  Following public input, the Agency will submit a final BMP to the Trustee.

The Volkswagen Settlement consists of three programs:  a vehicle recall and repair program ($10 billion); a zero emission vehicle investment commitment ($2 billion); and an environmental mitigation trust fund ($2.84 billion to be dispersed to the states).  The draft BMP, required by the Volkswagen Settlement, is Illinois’ plan to allocate the funds.

Input on the draft plan, available at www.epa.illinois.gov/topics/air-quality/vw-settlement/index, should be sent to EPA.VWSettlement@illinois.gov.  In addition to the draft plan, Illinois EPA has also developed a survey, available on the webpage, to help inform the Agency on projects and administration of funds.  Survey responses are in addition to any public input received on the draft plan, but are likewise due by April 13, 2018.  Illinois EPA will also continue to meet with interested groups throughout the public input period.  Requests for such meetings should be submitted to Brad.Frost@illinois.gov.

Attachments

• Illinois EPA Announces Draft Plan Release
• Volkswagen Settlement Factsheet

102 works of ‘Art in Illinois’ highlight renovated Mansion’s mission of history and education

KMOX – St. Louis image

CHICAGO  – After two years of an extensive privately-funded renovation, the Illinois Governor’s Mansion will reopen to the public on July 14, 2018, Illinois’ First Lady Diana Rauner announced today at the annual Illinois Governor’s Conference on Travel & Tourism.

“Bruce and I made a promise to the people of Illinois to renovate the Governor’s Mansion to restore the pride in this historic building,” said First Lady Diana Rauner, chair of the Illinois Governor’s Mansion Association. “With an all new visitor experience, expanded accessibility, and updated programming, we know the Governor’s Mansion will be a must-see destination for tourists and Illinois residents to visit again and again.”

The renovation, funded entirely with private dollars, makes the Mansion a usable residence for Illinois Governors. When it reopens this summer, the Mansion will also offer visitors a completely reimagined experience. It has a new look that is both stately and richly inviting in keeping with the Midwest hospitality of Illinois people.

The Mansion’s new mission is focused on history education and appreciation and that is reflected in the newly renovated space. Visitors will be able to gather and learn from period art and exhibits featuring the 1893 Columbian Exposition. There is space to showcase Illinois fine and decorative arts. There a visitor’s center and trained docents will lead tours 7 days a week. For the first time, the Mansion is ADA accessible.

“Our work to renovate the mansion focuses on so much more than just an updated façade and interior design,” said John Bryan, Illinois Governor’s Mansion Association board member. “I am very pleased to be part of a project that highlights the rich history of Illinois and brings art by local artists to the forefront of our state’s capitol.”

The Illinois Governor’s Mansion Association received a grant from the Terra Foundation of American Art to support the inaugural art exhibit, ‘Art in Illinois.’ The exhibition brings together fine and decorative art from Illinois artists and features 102 works from mid-nineteenth century to present day. Twenty of the pieces have never been seen before and are on loan from private collections. ‘Art in Illinois’ will run through January 2019.

About the Governor’s Mansion Association

Built in 1855, the Illinois Governor’s Mansion is one of the oldest and most historic governor’s mansions in the United States. The Mansion serves as the official residence of the Governor of Illinois and as a symbol of the executive branch of state government. The Illinois Governor’s Mansion Association (previously known as the Illinois Executive Mansion Association) is a non-profit organization created in 1972 to preserve and oversee the restoration of the People’s House. In 2015, the Association began an extensive renovation process that will open to the public in July 2018.

From the Illinois Department of Transportation 

JACKSONVILLE – The Illinois Department of Transportation employee who was part of a crew patching potholes on Morton Avenue in Jacksonville when he was struck by another vehicle is in critical condition at a local hospital.

We continue to cooperate with Illinois State Police in their investigation.

Yesterday’s tragic incident is yet another sad, unfortunate reminder of the dangers of working and traveling in work zones. We strongly urge the public to remain alert at all times, avoid distractions, slow down and proceed with extreme caution when approaching workers out in the field. In Illinois, motorists are required to change lanes, if possible, and provide extra distance between them and workers, first responders and disabled vehicles. It’s the law.