January is Radon Awareness Month

The Cook County Radon Awareness Program is encouraging everyone to test their home for radon, a naturally occurring radioactive gas that can seep into a house through cracks in the basement floor and walls, around the openings of the sump pump or through crawl spaces.   Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer behind cigarette smoking. However, it is easy to test for and to fix your home. With people spending more time indoors due to the cold weather now is the ideal time to test.

Testing kits can be obtained for only $7 by calling the Cook County Department of Environmental Control at 708-865-6177. Leave your name, address and phone number.

Find out more about Radon and testing your home.  

New Environmental Control Ordinances

On November 15th, 2011 the Cook County Board of Commissioners approved four items strengthening the Department's enforcement capabilities by adding to and amending the Cook County Environmental Control Ordinance.

Click here for the complete Finance Committee Report or click below to go directly to a section.

• Gasoline Vapor Collection and Control Systems Ordinance

• Demolition and Permit Revision Fee Amendments

• Asbestos Abatement Contractor Registration Ordinance

• Installation Permit Evaluation of Plans Fee Amendment

The effective date for all four items is January 14th. 

Applications now available! 

Permit Revision Application

Asbestos Abatement Contractor Registration Application

Residential Demolition Application

Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant

In 2010 the Cook County Department of Environmental Control was tasked with distributing and managing over $12.6 million dollars in federal stimulus funds for energy efficiency projects within Cook County.

One year and over sixty projects later, communities across Cook County are creating jobs while reducing their energy costs.  Learn more about EECBG projects here.

Cook County Solid Waste Plan Update

As Directed by State Statute, the Cook County Solid Waste Plan is being updated and is now available in draft form for review and comment. A summary of the report recommendations can be found here.

A public hearing of the Cook County Environmental Control Committee is scheduled for February 1, 2012 at 1:00pm, 69 W. Washington Room 567, Chicago IL.  To testify about the Solid Waste Plan Update, click here to complete the sign up form.  You may also submit your comments in writing to Laura.Oakleaf@cookcountyil.gov.  The Public Comment period will end February 28, 2012.

Complaints about environmental matters in suburban Cook County can be filed with the Department of Environmental Control,  24 hours a day at:

(312) 603-8200