Notice of Nondiscrimination

• The Illinois Civil Rights Act of 2003, which prohibits excluding participation in, denying the benefits of, or subjecting a person to discrimination under any program or activity based on that person's race, color, national origin, or gender; or using criteria or methods of administration that result in disparate impact or adverse effect. 
• Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination based on race, color, or national origin (including language). 
• Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which prohibits discrimination based on disability.
• Title IX of the Educations Amendments Act of 1972, which prohibits discrimination based on sex in education programs or activities.
• Age Discrimination Act of 1975, which prohibits discrimination based on age.
• U.S. Department of Homeland Security regulation 6 C.F.R. Part 19, which prohibits discrimination based on religion in social service programs. 
• Section 13 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments of 1972, which prohibits discrimination based on sex under any program or activity receiving funding under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act.

Information and Services for Persons with Disabilities and Persons with Limited English Proficiency

Illinois EPA:

• Provides free aids and services, such as qualified sign language interpreters and written information in other formats (large print, audio, accessible electronic formats, etc.), to communicate effectively with persons with disabilities. 

• Provides free language services, such as qualified foreign language interpreters and information written in other languages, to ensure meaningful access to programs and activities for persons with limited English proficiency.

If you need these services, please contact: EPA.Civil.Rights@Illinois.Gov

To File a Complaint with the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (Illinois EPA)

If you think that the Illinois EPA has failed to provide these services or discriminated in another way based on race, color, national origin (including language), disability, sex, or age, you can file a complaint in person or by mail, fax or email with: Chris Pressnall, (217) 524-1284, and EPA.Civil.Rights@Illinois.Gov.

To file a civil rights complaint with the United States Environmental Protection Agency Office of External Civil Rights Compliance (OECRC)

• How to File a Complaint of Discrimination brochure (Folleto sobre Cómo presentar una querella por discriminación)

• The complaint must be in writing.

• The complaint should identify the entity which allegedly committed the discrimination.

• The complaint must allege discrimination prohibited by one of the laws OECRC enforces.

• The complaint must be filed within 180 calendar days of the date of the last act of alleged discrimination.

Email: Title_VI_Complaints@epa.gov

Fax: (202) 565-0196

U.S. Mail:

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Mail code 2310A

1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW

Washington, DC 20460

For any other inquiries, please write to OECRC at the above address or call OECRC at (202) 564-3316

To file a civil rights complaint with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties (CRCL)

E-mail: CRCLCompliance@hq.dhs.gov 
Fax: (202) 401-4708
U.S. Mail:
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties
Compliance Branch
245 Murray Lane, SW
Building 410, Mail Stop #0190
Washington, D.C. 20528

For additional information: www.dhs.gov/crcl Phone: (202) 401-1474 Toll-Free: 1-866-644-8360

Retaliation

EPA is committed to fostering an environment where individuals can invoke these grievance procedures without fear of retaliation or reprisal. Illinois EPA explicitly prohibits retaliation against any individual for any purpose, including for the purpose of interfering with any right or privilege guaranteed under any state or federal statutes or regulations because that individual has filed a complaint or has testified, assisted, or participated in any way in an investigation, proceeding, or hearing of any kind or has opposed any practice made unlawful under any state or federal statutes or regulations. Prohibited retaliatory acts include intimidation, threats, coercion, or discrimination against any such individual or group. Any concern regarding retaliation should be reported to the Non-Discrimination Coordinator.

If you have any questions about this notice or any of Illinois EPA's non-discrimination programs, policies, or procedures, you may contact:

Chris Pressnall
Title VI Coordinator
Illinois Environmental Protection Agency
1021 North Grand Avenue East
Post Office Box 19276
Springfield, Illinois 62794-9276

If you believe that you have been discriminated against with respect to Illinois EPA's programs or services, you may contact Chris Pressnall, Title VI Coordinator, identified above or visit Illinois EPA's Grievance Procedure website or Accessibility website for Illinois EPA's Disability and Language Access Grievance Forms.