Due to COVID-19, personnel from Industrial Waste Division (IWD) are telecommuting at home and working on limited days at our offices.  In order for us to continue to respond to our Users in a timely manner, IWD is requesting that you send inquiries and forms like RD-115s, RD-920s, etc. via electronic mail and follow up by sending the original documents via mail.  You may also call us but please note that our response may be delayed.  In this newsletter, a table  listing the names of Environmental Specialists is provided along with their telephone number and email address.  Please feel free to contact them.

In accordance with Appendix E, Section 2e of the Sewage and Waste Control Ordinance (Ordinance), a person will be deemed in significant noncompliance of the Ordinance if the person fails to meet, within 90 calendar days after the schedule date, a compliance milestone date or final compliance date contained in a compliance schedule or Discharge Authorization. 

If a person is found to be in violation of the Ordinance an enforcement action is issued. Depending on the severity of the parameter violation, the enforcement action can consist of a Notice of Noncompliance (NON) or a Cease and Desist Order (C&D). Each enforcement action requires a specific amount of time when the person must return to compliance. The maximum amount of time allowed is 90 calendar days for a C&D, 10 calendar days for an NON of Appendix B (District limits) and 45 calendar days for an NON of Appendix C (Discharge Authorization/Federal limits). A C&D and NON of Appendix C require the person to conduct a sampling study for the parameter in violation to determine compliance. An NON of Appendix B does not require the person to conduct a sampling study. However, the person must submit documentation within 10 calendar days stating that they are in compliance. After the person states they are in compliance and after the set compliance date, District personnel will then conduct a sampling study to verify compliance. 

A person is not considered to be in compliance until it is verified by District sampling study. If the District determines that the person is in compliance, the enforcement action is considered resolved. 

However, if the District determines that the parameter is still in violation or if another parameter is found to be in violation then the person is not considered to be in compliance. The determination by the District that the person is not in compliance would warrant publication under the criteria specified in Appendix E, Section 2e of the Ordinance.

The Industrial Waste Division (IWD) is dedicated to ensuring a fair and equitable determination of User Charges owed to the District. While conducting a review of our accounts, IWD staff has found that many facilities classified as Tax-Exempt Users own real estate tax parcels for which property taxes are paid to Cook County. However, many of these tax bills had not been submitted with the User Charge Annual Certified Statement (RD-925).  

IWD staff has researched and associated property index numbers (PINs) with thousands of facilities in our database. However, to ensure that credits are properly accounted for, IWD encourages Users to include all property tax bills for parcels associated with their facility when submitting the next RD-925. The links below from Cook County can be a useful aid.  

Search for your PIN with the Cook County Map Viewer. 

Download a copy of your Property Tax Bill. 

Download a PDF copy.