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DuPage County board backs resolution opposing EPA roll-back of ethylene oxide limits
Summary
The county's environmental committee brought a resolution (14B-R5-26) opposing the U.S. EPA's proposed rollback of ethylene oxide emissions standards for sterilization facilities and approved an intergovernmental inspection agreement with the Illinois EPA reimbursing DuPage up to $95,381.13; members cited Sterigenics's local impacts and urged action at state and local levels.
DuPage County board members rallied around a resolution opposing the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's rollback of ethylene oxide emissions standards for sterilization facilities, framing the move as a threat to community health and urging continued local and state action.
Member Heather (environment committee) presented an intergovernmental delegation agreement between the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency and DuPage County for a cooperative inspection program covering July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2031 with county reimbursement up to $95,381.13 based on expenditures. That item (14AEN-R-4-26) was moved, seconded and taken to roll call.
She then introduced item 14B-R5-26, a resolution opposing EPA's rollback of ethylene oxide (EtO) emission standards for sterilization facilities. Member Galassi described Sterigenics as a "wake-up call" for DuPage County and said reversing protections would be "a tragedy" for communities that experienced illness associated with past exposures. Several members, including Member Cahill, recounted personal connections to Sterigenics-related health impacts and supported the resolution.
Several speakers recommended state-level action to expand home-rule authority for smaller municipalities so they can restrict or regulate facilities that emit hazardous air pollutants. Member Kajki urged working with lobbyists in Springfield to pursue legislation to lower the population threshold for home-rule authority to give more communities local control.
Why it matters: Members tied the resolution to local public health concerns and past community impacts from sterilization facilities. The intergovernmental agreement with the Illinois EPA would support inspection and enforcement work in the county if implemented.
Procedural note: The transcript records debate and statements of support; the final roll call result for the resolution 14B-R5-26 is not recorded in the provided transcript. The IL EPA intergovernmental agreement (14AEN-R-4-26) was presented with the reimbursement amount specified.
