IL HJR0034

Expresses support for U.S. EPA efforts to protect public health and implement the Clean Air Act, including standards to reduce mercury, lead, soot, smog, and carbon pollution from power plants and large pollution sources.

States that over 1.2 million Illinoisans (12.8% of adults) suffer from asthma as of 2007, with Illinois maintaining one of the highest asthma mortality rates in the nation for the past 20 years.

Cites U.S. EPA studies finding that Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 will generate approximately $2 trillion in economic benefits by 2020 through disease prevention, reduced lost-work days, and prevention of 230,000 premature deaths annually.

Opposes any congressional efforts to weaken the U.S. EPA's authority to set air quality standards to protect health and reduce dangerous air pollution.

Urges the Governor to represent Illinois as a supporter of U.S. EPA efforts to implement the Clean Air Act.