THE ILLINOIS ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY HAS STARTED A NEW WEBSITE THAT WILL HELP DRIVERS AND REPAIR INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS NAVIGATE THE NUMEROUS CHANGES IN THE VEHICLE EMISSSIONS TESTING PROGRAM. VIRTUALLY ALL THE INFORMATION MOTORISTS AND AUTO REPAIR PROFESSIONALS NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE PROGRAM IS NOW AT THEIR FINGERTIPS. YOU CAN VISIT THE WEBSITE AT www.epa.state.il.us/air/vim
THE WEBSITE PROVIDES EMISSIONS TESTING PROGRAM CHANGES THAT AFFECT DRIVERS IN NORTHEASTERN ILLINOIS....TIPS FOR A SUCCESSFUL TEST......LOCATIONS OF TESTING SITES WITH LINKS TO INDIVIDUAL MAPS AND DIRECTIONS....LOCATIONS OF REPAIR FACILITIES AND THOSE FACILITIES' PERFORMANCE REPORTS....HOW THE TEST IS PERFORMED AND WHAT TO EXPECT...AND HOW MOTOR VEHICLES AFFFECT AIR POLLUTION AND HOW THIS PROGRAM REDUCES THAT POLLUTION.
ILLINOIS EPA DIRECTOR DOUG SCOTT SAYS THE NEW WEBSITE WILL MAKE IT MUCH EASIER FOR DRIVERS AND THE AUTO REPAIR INDUSTRY TO COMPLY WITH THE ILLINOIS VEHICLE EMISSIONS PROGRAM. IT IS THE MOST UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION ON OUR PROGRAM, ACCORDING TO SCOTT, ADDING THAT THE PROGRAM WILL HAVE DETAILS ON WHERE TO GET TESTED AND HOW TESTING YOUR VEHICLE HELPS KEEP THE AIR WE BREATHE MUCH CLEANER. SCOTT SAYS THE GOAL OF THE PROGRAM IS TO REDUCE HARMFUL EMISSIONS FROM VEHICLES TO IMPROVE AIR QUALITY AND PUBLIC HEALTH. THIS FOLLOWS THE CHANGE IN ENFORCEMENT THAT WILL BEGIN AFFECTING MOTORISTS WHOSE VEHICLE REGISTATIONS EXPIRE AT THE END OF THIS MONTH. USED TO BE A MOTORIST WHO DID NOT COMPLY WAS SUBJECT TO DRIVER'S LICENSE SUSPENSION. NOW, THE VEHICLE'S LICENSE PLATE CANNOT BE RENEWED UNTIL IT COMPLIES WITH THE INSPECTION LAW. MOTORISTS WITH QUESTIONS ABOUIT THE PROGRAM MAY CALL 847-758-34000 OR VISIT www.epa.state.il.us/air/vim.
