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County sustainability staff backs legislation to require removal of coal ash at Waukegan power plant
Summary
Lake County sustainability staff asked the committee to support an amendment to the Illinois Environmental Protection Act that would require removal of a coal‑ash pond at the Waukegan Power Plant rather than capping in place.
Robin Groom briefed the Legislative Committee on a longstanding local concern: a coal‑ash pond at the Waukegan Power Plant that current site owners plan to cap in place. Robin said county sustainability staff support state legislation amending the Illinois Environmental Protection Act to require removal of coal ash from the site, citing long‑term risks to surrounding residents and Lake Michigan.
Why it matters: Coal ash contains toxic constituents and leaving large quantities capped in place can pose long‑term risks to groundwater and adjacent waterways. County staff said the proposal would amend the Environmental Protection Act to require removal, and that the county’s role would be collective local messaging and advocacy rather than added workload for county staff.
Discussion vs. action: Committee members broadly supported the county’s involvement in messaging and advocacy; no formal vote was taken. Members noted the item has been raised in past years and that gaining committee and legislative traction has been challenging.
Details: Committee members, including members with personal ties to the area, said the bill has been pursued previously and asked staff to keep it on the county legislative agenda for continued advocacy. Robin reiterated the county’s intent to coordinate with local partners and state legislators on language directing ash removal rather than capping in place.
Ending: Committee consensus was to move the item forward for monitoring and advocacy as part of the county’s 2026 legislative package.
