A bill requiring businesses to obtain permits from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency for on-site storage, treatment and disposal of hazardous waste was introduced to the Illinois Senate Jan. 25.

Sen. Patrick Welch, D-Peru, who sponsored the bill, said many Illinois businesses dispose of toxic waste on their property, a practice allowed by law. He said larger companies have exploited the law to their advantage. “I feel this law must be changed to protect the surroundings of those living or working around premises with toxic waste,” he said.

Mike Collins, legislative liason of the Environmental Protection Agency in Springfield, said, “They (businesses) would argue that they are responsible for the waste products on their property.”

Collins declined to name companies which dispose of their waste on-site, but said, “I will not be surprised if such companies could be found even in DeKalb.”

“It will be opposed by big business,” he said.

Welch said allowing companies to continue on-site disposal of waste would threaten the state’s natural resources.

“There is a requirement that companies file with the state of Illinois a list of products that could contaminate workers in the work place. Companies which have complied with that law should be asked to explain what they do to the toxic substances not of use to them,” Welch said. “Are they taken to the land fills permitted by the state or are they dumped behind company premises?”