IL HB1608

Requires the Illinois EPA to annually review and update indicators used to designate environmental justice communities and establish a petition process for communities seeking such designation

Mandates applicants for new air pollution sources in environmental justice communities to hold public meetings before submitting permit applications and submit environmental justice assessments identifying potential environmental and health impacts, including air dispersion modeling and cumulative impact analysis

Establishes enhanced public notice requirements for permits in environmental justice communities, including multilingual notices and translation services for linguistically isolated communities where at least 20% of residents age 14+ speak English less than very well

Allows third parties to petition the Pollution Control Board to contest permits for minor source air pollution facilities within 35 days of issuance, and authorizes the EPA to deny permits based on applicants' history of repeated environmental violations, false information convictions, or gross carelessness

Creates an environmental justice grievance process for complaints alleging discrimination under the federal Civil Rights Act, requiring written complaints within 60 days and Agency response within 120 days