On June 8, 2014, Illinois Governor Pat Quinn signed a bill into law that places a future ban on the manufacture and sale of products containing synthetic plastic microbeads.  Public Act 098-0638 amends the Environmental Protection Act to add Section 52.5, which now contains the ban on microbeads, the plastic bits found in personal care products (such as facial cleansers, shampoos, and toothpastes) used to exfoliate or cleanse in a rinse-off product.  According to the new law, the legislature put the ban in place due to impacts to Illinois' waters: "Microbeads have been documented to collect harmful pollutants already present in the environment and harm fish and other aquatic organisms that form the base of the aquatic food chain.  Recently, microbeads have been recorded in Illinois water bodies, and in particular, the waters of Lake Michigan. . . . Without significant and costly improvements to the majority of the State's sewage treatment facilities, microbeads contained in products will continue to pollute Illinois' waters and hinder the recent substantial economic investments in redeveloping Illinois waterfronts and the ongoing efforts to restore the State's lakes and rivers and recreational and commercial fisheries."

The U.S. Global Change Research Program recently issued its report, "Climate Change Impacts in the United States: The Third National Climate Assessment" which provides a detailed analysis of the challenges and opportunities that the Midwest will face as a result of climate change.  The full assessment can be found on the USGCRP's dynamic website, http://nca2014.globalchange.gov.

The Chicago Tribune recently told the tale of unintended consequences--consequences that could result in serious health problems for some residents of the City of Chicago and potential toxic tort exposure.  According to the article, "[t]he problem starts with lead service lines that Chicago installed across the city until the mid-1980s to connect water mains with homes. Researchers at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency found that spikes of lead can leach into tap water when those pipes are altered by water main replacements, meter installations or street work."  It appears that the real problem is that Mayor Rahm Emanuel has been pushing "to speed up the replacement of aging water mains and increase the number of water meters installed citywide -- two activities that EPA researchers found to be linked to high amounts of lead in tap water." Now that EPA researchers have made these findings, the City has been advising residents to open all household taps for three to five minutes after a water main has been replaced on their street.  This raises an issue, however, as to whether this warning is enough, and whether the City's actions in response to the EPA's findings could lead to toxic tort lawsuits if residents end of getting sick from lead poisoning.

As vice chair of the Chicago Bar Association's Environmental Law Committee, I would like to invite you to join us for our next meeting, which will be held on October 1, 2013 from 12:15 pm to 1:30 pm at the Chicago Bar Association.  The speaker will be Selena Kyle, and the topic will be "Going to Court for the Environment and Public Health: The View from NRDC's Midwest Office". Stay tuned to the Illinois Environmental Law Blog for more news and developments. To subscribe to this blog and and sign up for my free newsletter, go to http://illinoisenvironmentallaw.com/subscribe/. To set up a free initial consultation to discuss your legal matter, please contact Chicago environmental attorney Dave Scriven-Young at (312) 239-9722 or dscriven-young@pecklaw.com.

Please Join the CBA Environmental Law and the Young Lawyers Section Environmental Law Committees for a Networking Reception Tuesday, September 3, 2013 4:00-6:00 pm The Chicago Bar Association, 321 South Plymouth Court, Chicago, IL Co-Sponsored by: The Chicago Bar Association Environmental Law Committee The Chicago Bar Association Young Lawyers Section Environmental Law Committee Appetizers and Beverages (Wine, Beer, and Soft Drinks) generously provided by Latham & Watkins LLP Please RSVP by September 2 to Dave Scriven-Young at dscriven-young@pecklaw.com.

* The new edition of the ABA SEER Native American Resources Committee Newsletter contains articles on: (1) renewable energy on tribal lands (key agreements and terms for successful project development), (2) governance and jurisdictional considerations for renewable energy development in Indian Country, (3) a California district court's decision upholding approval of the Ocotillo wind farm, (4) free prior informed consent (limitations and successes in enabling native direction of native land development), and (5) the Supreme Court's denial of review of the Kivalina global warming damages claim. [ABA SEER NAR Committee Newsletter] Click "Read More" to see more stories...

On Tuesday, U.S. EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy will deliver her first public remarks since being confirmed by the Senate. The event will start at 10 am central time and will be webcast. From EPA's press release: "WASHINGTON--“ On Tuesday, newly-confirmed U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Gina McCarthy will be in Cambridge, MA to deliver remarks at Harvard Law School. This will be her first public speech since being confirmed as EPA Administrator by the U.S. Senate. McCarthy will discuss her vision for the EPA and challenges the Agency will face going forward. She will also highlight her commitment to carrying out President Obama’s Climate Action Plan to reduce carbon pollution and address the impacts of climate change.