SPRINGFIELD – In an attempt to spare homeowners from costly, unnecessary and over-burdensome regulations, several Republican Senators are pushing a measure that would spare downstate from being subject to proposed testing fees and permits on septic tanks, according to State Senator Dan Rutherford (R-Pontiac).

At issue is an Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) proposal to impose a National Pollutant Discharging Elimination System Permit (NPDES) requirement on all surface discharging septic systems, which are most commonly found in rural downstate Illinois.

Rutherford explained this is a serious issue for rural residents because these permits involve costly and burdensome testing procedures. Under the proposed regulations, homeowners and developers would have to file a Notice of Intent before installing a surface regulated septic system, and overcome a number of obstacles during installation, including a series of tests and inspections costing a homeowner at least $500 per year.

In a press conference August 16, State Senators Dale Righter (R-Mattoon) and John O. Jones (Mt. Vernon), joined by local public health officials, said the proposal would mandate that the IEPA approve a permit application before the local health department could approve a building permit, a process that could take up to 30 days, and septic tank systems would be approved only as a last resort.

Specifically, Senate Bill 3187 stipulates that the owner of any private sewage disposal system with a surface discharge that does not leave the property or directly enter the navigable waters of the State would not be subject to NPDES permit requirements.

The measure addresses claims by the IEPA that the new regulations are required by the provisions of the federal Clean Water Act and the United States Environmental Protection Agency. However, no specific direction on the issue has come from the federal government. Additionally, several county health departments in downstate Illinois, as well as the Onsite Wastewater Professions of Illinois, are speaking out against the proposal, which would be nearly impossible for homeowners to completely comply with because of the clay soil found in many parts of Southeastern Illinois.

Furthermore, no clear evidence that these systems pose any true health hazard exists.

Senators Righter and Jones said they will be pushing this legislation during the Fall Veto Session. Senate Bill 3187 is modeled after Senate Bill 2720, which was introduced last spring.

In other news, Rutherford is also alerting residents that the State of Illinois is seeking out owners of lost or abandoned property held by the state under the Uniform Disposition of Unclaimed Property Act

Throughout the month of August, the Illinois State Treasurer’s Office is publishing lists of owners of abandoned assets in various newspapers throughout the State of Illinois

Residents can also go to the state treasurer's Web site, www.cashdash.net, to find out if unclaimed property is owed to them, and obtain downloadable forms.”

The Senator explained that these unclaimed assets generally consist of checking or savings accounts, dividends, un-cashed payroll checks and safe deposit box contents, although they could consist of nearly any unclaimed financial asset.

Under the act, after assets have been abandoned or inactive for five years, the holder of the property must attempt to locate the owner. If the effort fails, the assets are turned over to the Illinois state treasurer's office. The treasurer then holds the assets indefinitely until they are claimed.

Out of concern for the privacy interests of the owners of unclaimed property, the Treasurer will not release information about your assets over the telephone, so please do not call with your inquiry.

The address is: The Honorable Judy Baar Topinka, State Treasurer, Unclaimed Property Division, PO Box 19495, Springfield, IL 62794-9495. Inquiries must be in writing and include the name, address and county of residence of the claimant.