This page lists common duties, 2025 penalty amounts still in force for 2026, Illinois fees and recent changes. The overview covers who is affected.
What the law requires
| Requirement | In plain words | Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Stormwater coverage | Construction sites file a notice of intent and a pollution-prevention plan before disturbing 1 or more acres; industrial sites hold ILR00 coverage or a no-exposure certification | Clean Water Act; ILR10, ILR00 |
| Discharge permit | No process wastewater or stormwater to waters or storm sewers without a permit | Clean Water Act section 402 |
| Oil spill plan | Written plan above 1,320 gallons aboveground if a spill could reach waters | 40 CFR 112.1 |
| Refrigerant handling | No knowing venting; certified technicians; recovery equipment | 40 CFR Part 82 |
| HFC leak repair | At 15 pounds or more, calculate the leak rate when refrigerant is added; repair within 30 days (120 if an industrial shutdown is needed) above 30% (industrial process), 20% (commercial refrigeration) or 10% (other) | 40 CFR 84.106 |
| Auto body painting | Certified painters, booths capturing at least 98% of overspray, approved spray guns | Subpart HHHHHH |
Key numbers and dates
| Item | Amount or date | Year in force | Source label |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spill plan line | 1,320 gallons aboveground; 42,000 gallons buried | Current | 40 CFR 112.1 |
| Illinois fees | ILR10 $250 under 5 acres, $750 at 5 acres or more; ILR00 $500 new, renewal free; ROSS $235 a year | Current | Illinois EPA, DCEO |
| EPA general permits (Illinois uses its own) | 2022 construction permit expires Feb 16, 2027; 2021 industrial permit expired Feb 28, 2026 and is continued | 2026 and 2027 | EPA |
Source: 40 CFR 19.4
Recent and pending changes
- Jan 1, 2026 (final): HFC leak-repair rules began for appliances of 15 pounds or more, other than residential and light commercial air conditioning and heat pumps. EPA proposed on May 26, 2026 to exclude some transport refrigeration units; check EPA for the outcome.
- Dec 18, 2024 (final, being reconsidered): a TSCA rule phases perchloroethylene (PCE) out of dry cleaning in steps at 180 days, 3 years and 10 years after publication. We found no proposal to change those steps through October 2026.
- June 16, 2025 (final): Illinois raised penalty ceilings (P.A. 104-6), indexed from July 1, 2026. We did not find the adjusted figures.
Penalties and enforcement
EPA enforces both laws, with the Army Corps for dredge-and-fill permits and the Justice Department for court cases. Illinois EPA issues state permits, the Attorney General or a State's Attorney can sue, and the Illinois Pollution Control Board hears cases. A case can start with a notice of violation, an information request or an inspection warrant.
| Tier | Who acts | Amount (2025 unless noted) |
|---|---|---|
| Administrative | EPA | Water: $27,378 per violation (cap $68,445) or per day (cap $342,218). Air: $59,114 a day (cap $472,901) |
| Civil court | EPA and DOJ | Water $68,445 and air $124,426 a day per violation |
| Criminal, water | DOJ | Fine, prison or both. Negligent: $2,500 to $25,000 a day, up to 1 year; knowing: $5,000 to $50,000 a day, up to 3 years |
| Criminal, air | DOJ | Knowing violation: a federal fine, up to 5 years in prison, or both |
| Illinois | Illinois EPA; Attorney General or State's Attorney; Pollution Control Board | Up to $100,000 per violation plus $25,000 a day (2025 base, indexed each July 1 from 2026); waste citations $500 to $3,000 |
Next: the checklist and FAQs. Workplace safety is a separate law; see the OSHA guide.
Official sources
- eCFR: 40 CFR 19.4, Statutory Civil Monetary Penalties
- Illinois EPA: Industrial Stormwater Permits
- EPA: HFC Notices and Rulemakings
- EPA: Waters of the United States
- Illinois General Assembly: 415 ILCS 5/42 (penalties)
This page is a plain-language summary. The official source controls if there is any difference.