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A.
General Information:
The Fund
consists of three (3) programs:
- Licensing
(mandatory participation)
Any business interested in operating a drycleaning facility in Illinois
needs to apply for a license
through the Illinois Drycleaner Environmental Response Trust Fund
(Fund). Click here for an application
(you need Adobe Acrobat to view it).
- Pollution
liability insurance coverage (voluntary participation)
The insurance program provides financial assistance for the cleanup
of soil and groundwater contamination that occurs and is discovered
after the effective date of the insurance policy.
- Remedial
action (voluntary participation)
The remedial action program is designed to provide cleanup benefits
to Illinois retail drycleaning facilities with existing chlorine based
and/or hydrocarbon based drycleaning solvent soil and groundwater
contamination.
B.
Licensing Program:
All retail
drycleaning facilities in Illinois are required to be licensed annually
by the Fund.
- Is
the license fee an annual fee or a one-time fee?
- What
is the annual license fee period?
- What
is the amount of the annual license fee?
- When
is the license fee due?
- Where
do I pay my annual license fee?
- Can
I submit a business or personal check to the Department of Revenue
for payment of my annual license fee?
- Where
can I obtain a license application form?
- What
do I do with the copy of the DS-3 form I receive back from the Department
of Revenue after I have paid my annual license fee?
- I
have not received my certified copy of my DS-3 form from the Department
of Revenue. Who can I contact to find out the status of my license
fee payment and obtain a certified copy of my DS-3 form?
-
What are green solvents?
- What
is a reclaimer and how do I determine what I have?
Question
1: Is the license fee an annual fee or a one-time fee?
Answer: The license fee is an annual fee effective January 1,
1998.
Question
2: What is the annual license fee period?
Answer: The annual license period is January 1 through December
31.
Question
3: What is the amount of the annual license fee?
Answer: The annual license fee is determined by the annual volume
of drycleaning solvent purchased for the year preceding the license.
Annual license fees are as follows:
For License Years 1998 through 2003
|
License
Fee
|
Chlorine
Based Solvents
|
Petroleum
Based Solvents
|
|
$500
|
0
to 140 gal
|
0
- 1,400 gal
|
|
$1,000
|
>140
gal and <360 gal
|
>1,400
gal and <3,600 gal
|
|
$1,500
|
360
gal or more
|
3,600
gal or more
|
For
License Years 2004 through 2006:
|
License
Fee
|
Chlorine
Based Solvents
|
Green
Solvents
|
Petroleum
w/reclaiming
|
Petroleum
w/o reclaiming
|
| $
500 |
0
- 50 gal |
0 - 50 gal |
0 - 250 gal
|
0
- 500 gal |
| $1,000
|
>
50 -100 gal |
>
50 -100 gal
|
>250-500
gal
|
>500-1000 |
| $1,500
|
>100-150
gal |
>100-150
gal
|
>500-750
gal
|
>1000-1500 |
| $2,000
|
>150-200
gal |
>150-200
gal
|
>750-1000
gal
|
>1500-2000 |
| $2,500
|
>200-250
gal |
>200-250
gal
|
>1000-1250
gal
|
>2000-2500 |
| $3,000
|
>250-300
gal |
>250-300
gal
|
>1250-1500
gal
|
>2500-3000 |
| $3,000
|
>300-350
gal |
>300-350
gal
|
>1500-1750
gal
|
>3000-3500 |
| $4,000
|
>350-400
gal |
>350-400
gal
|
>1750-2000
gal
|
>3500-4000 |
| $4,500
|
>400-450
gal |
>400-450
gal
|
>2000-2250
gal
|
>4000-4500 |
| $4,500
|
>450-500
gal |
>450-500
gal
|
>2250-2500
gal
|
>4500-5000 |
| $4,500
|
>500-550
gal |
>500-550
gal
|
>2500-2750
gal
|
>5000-5500 |
| $4,500
|
>550-600
gal |
>550-600
gal
|
>2750-3000
gal
|
>5500-6000 |
| $4,500
|
More
than 600 gal |
More
than 600 gal |
>3000-3250 gal |
More
than 6000 gal |
| $4,500
|
|
|
>3250-3500
gal |
|
| $4,500
|
|
|
>3500-3750
gal |
|
| $4,500
|
|
|
>3750-4000
gal |
|
| $4,500
|
|
|
More
than 4000 gal |
|
For License Years 2007 and after:
License Fee |
Chlorine Based Solvents |
Green
Solvents |
Petroleum
w/reclaiming |
Petroleum
w/o reclaiming |
$1,500 |
0 - 50 gal |
0 - 50 gal |
0 - 250 gal |
0 - 500 gal |
$2,250 |
> 50 -100 gal |
> 50 -100 gal |
>250-500 gal |
>500-1000 |
$3,000 |
>100-150 gal |
>100-150 gal |
>500-750 gal |
>1000-1500 |
$3,750 |
>150-200 gal |
>150-200 gal |
>750-1000 |
>1500-2000 |
$4,500 |
>200-250 gal |
>200-250 gal |
>1000-1250 |
>2000-2500 |
$5,000 |
>250-300 gal |
>250-300 gal |
>1250-1500 |
>2500-3000 |
$5,000 |
>300-350 gal |
>300-350 gal |
>1500-1750 |
>3000-3500 |
$5,000 |
>350-400 gal |
>350-400 gal |
>1750-2000 |
>3500-4000 |
$5,000 |
>400-450 gal |
>400-450 gal |
>2000-2250 |
>4000-4500 |
$5,000 |
>450-500 gal |
>450-500 gal |
>2250-2500 |
>4500-5000 |
$5,000 |
>500-550 gal |
>500-550 gal |
>2500-2750 |
>5000-5500 |
$5,000 |
>550-600 gal |
>550-600 gal |
>2750-3000 |
>5500-6000 |
$5,000 |
More than
600 gal |
More than
600 gal |
>3000-3250 |
More than
6000 gal |
$5,000 |
x |
x |
>3250-3500 |
x |
$5,000 |
x |
x |
>3500-3750 |
x |
$5,000 |
x |
x |
>3750-4000 |
x |
$5,000 |
x |
x |
More than
4000 gal |
x |
If you
use both types of solvent at your facility, your license fee will be
based on combined usage of both types of solvents. The combined usage
will be determined by using a conversion factor. Please contact our
office in order to properly calculate your license fee amount if you
have multiple solvent types.
Question
4: When is the license fee due?
Answer: Beginning in 1999, the license fee is due by November
1st of each year and is delinquent after December 31st. The license
fee for calendar year 2000 should be paid by December 31, 1999. Late
payments or under payments will be charged a penalty of $5.00 per day
after December 31st until the correct fee is paid.
Question
5: Where do I pay my annual license fee?
Answer: The annual license fee is paid directly to the Illinois
Department of Revenue, using Dry-Cleaning Operators' License Fee Payment
Form DS-3. The Fund will mail a form DS-3 to all known operators of
active drycleaners in November of each year. The license fee and the
payment form DS-3 are to be submitted to the Department of Revenue at
the address listed on the DS-3 form.
Question
6: Can I submit a business or personal check to the Department of
Revenue for payment of my annual license fee?
Answer: No. The Department of Revenue requires that a cashier's
check, money order, traveler's check or cash be used as payment of the
annual license fee.
Question
7: Where can I obtain a license application form?
Answer: Click here for
an online application, call Williams
& Company Consulting, Inc. at 800-765-4041 or email
a request for an application form.
Question
8: What do I do with the copy of the DS-3 form I receive back from
the Department of Revenue after I have paid my annual license fee?
Answer: Attach the certified copy of the DS-3 form to your annual
license application and send your license application to the Fund Administrator
for processing.
Question
9: I have not received my certified copy of my DS-3 form from the
Department of Revenue. Who can I contact to find out the status of my
license fee payment and obtain a certified copy of my DS-3 form?
Answer: You can call the Department of Revenue at 1-800-732-8866
or 217-785-7236 or write them at:
Illinois Department of Revenue
P.O. Box 19018
Springfield, IL 62794-9018
You will need to talk to the Miscellaneous Tax Division.
Question
10: What are green solvents?
Answer: A green solvent is usually biodegradable and environmentally
safe. Please click here for
a list of solvents classified as "green" by the Council.
Question
11: What is a relcaimer and how do I determine what I have?
Answer: A reclaimer is a process by which solvent vapors are
recaptured during the drycleaning process and are not emitted into the
atmosphere. Please click here for
more detailed explanation.
C.
Insurance Program:
The insurance
fund will provide financial assistance for the cleanup of soil and
groundwater contamination that occurs and is discovered after the
effective date of the policy. Maximum cleanup benefits will be $500,000
with a $10,000 deductible. The annual premium is actuarially established,
based on various risk factors and is currently $1,400 per year.
- Are
there specific requirements my facility must meet in order to obtain
insurance coverage from the Fund?
- It
is my understanding that the Fund requires that I be participating
in a Council-approved compliance program to obtain the Fund's insurance
coverage. What programs have currently been approved?
- Where
can I get an insurance application?
- Do
I have to do a site investigation prior to qualifying for insurance
coverage from the Fund?
- If
I discontinue my drycleaning operations halfway through the year,
can I receive an insurance premium refund?
- If
I sell my drycleaning business to another individual, can I transfer
the insurance policy to the new operator?
Question
1: Are there specific requirements my facility must meet in order
to obtain insurance coverage from the Fund?
Answer: Yes. See a listing of the requirements by clicking
here.
Question
2: It is my understanding that the Fund requires that I participate
in a Council-approved compliance program to obtain the Fund's insurance
coverage. What programs have currently been approved?
Answer: Click here
for a list of approved Compliance Programs, contact the Fund Administrator
at 800-765-4041 or email a request
for a current list of Council approved compliance programs.
Question
3: Where can I get an insurance application? Answer: Click
here for an online application or contact the Fund Administrator
at 800-765-4041 or email a request
for an application form.
Question
4: Do I have to do a site investigation prior to qualifying for
insurance coverage from the Fund?
Answer: Yes. Any site wishing to obtain insurance
coverage from the Fund must complete a site investigation prior to being
accepted into the Fund. Contact the Fund Administrator for detailed
requirements for the site investigation.
Question
5: If I discontinue my drycleaning operations halfway through the
year, can I receive an insurance premium refund?
Answer: No. The insurance premium is fully earned upon policy
issue. No premium refund for a partial year will be given.
Question
6: If I sell my drycleaning business to another individual, can
I transfer the insurance policy to the new operator?
Answer: Yes. The insurance policy may be transferred from the
current named insured to another insurable party upon completion of
an insurance policy transfer form that must be signed by the existing
policyholder and the prospective policyholder.
D.
Remedial Action Program
The Remedial
Action Program will provide reimbursement of site investigation costs
and cleanup of existing soil and groundwater contamination that is
discovered at the facility after July 1, 1997 and before June 30,
2006. Application for remedial benefits must be submitted to the Fund
by June 30, 2005. Claims for remedial benefits must be filed with
the Fund by June 30, 2006.
- Are
there specific eligibility requirements that must be met in order
to receive benefits from the Remedial Program?
- Is
there any applicable deductible for obtaining benefits from the Remedial
Program?
- Is
there a summary document that assists in explaining the claim filing
process?
- Do
I need to have the Fund's pre-approval of all cleanup costs prior
to moving ahead with cleanup work?
- To
what level do I need to clean my site?
- Does
the Fund require competitive bids for cost approvals?
Question
1: Are there specific eligibility requirements that must be met
in order to receive benefits from the Remedial Program?
Answer: Yes. For a listing of these requirements, click
here.
Question
2: Is there any applicable deductible for obtaining benefits from
the Remedial Program?
Answer: Yes.
Active
drycleaning facilities have the following deductibles:
Question
3: Is there a summary document that assists in explaining the claim
filing process?
Answer: Yes. The Council has developed a "Claim
Kit" that outlines general information that must be followed
to obtain remedial benefits. You can download this online or contact
the Fund Administrator for a copy.
Question
4: Do I need to have the Fund's pre-approval of all cleanup costs
prior to moving ahead with cleanup work?
Answer: Yes. The Fund requires that all costs be pre-approved.
An exception would be made for costs incurred on eligible claims between
July 1, 1997 and July 1, 1999. The Fund will reimburse eligible claimant's
usual and customary costs for eligible work conducted at the site.
Question
5: To what level do I need to clean my site?
Answer: The cleanup level required at your site will be determined
by applying TACO in accordance with Illinois EPA site remediation program.
A Licensed Professional Engineer shall conduct the investigation and
prepare a scope of work for Fund review. Only those costs necessary
to cleanup the drycleaning solvent contamination at the site to site
specific levels as determined by TACO will be reimbursed by the Fund.
Question
6: Does the Fund require competitive bids for cost approvals?
Answer: Yes. The Fund will request, in most instances, that a
claimant get three (3) competitive bids. The bids are to be submitted
to the Fund for their review and approval. The Fund will notify the
claimant of the cost and scope of work approved.
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E.
Other FAQ
Question
1: What is perc?
Answer: Perc is short for perchloroethylene. Perchloroethylene
is the primary chemical solvent used to dryclean clothes. It's been
used as a solvent for more than 50 years. Perc is a clear, colorless
liquid with a sharp, sweet odor that evaporates quickly. Most professional
drycleaners use perc to remove stains and dirt from fabrics. Since perc
can be reused, it is a cost-effective and efficient solvent for cleaning
clothes. Perc is also a toxic chemical known to cause cancer in animals
and is a concern for human health and the environment.
Question
2: What is wetcleaning?
Answer: Wetcleaning is a water-based alternative to drycleaning
clothes. In drycleaning, every clothing item is treated the same. Wetcleaning
customizes treatment for each garment according to the item's fabric
and soiling. Wetcleaning appeals to the environment point of view because
of a low percent of additives. However, they are still unsure about
the environmental impact of wetcleaning. For more information about
wetcleaning, visit the EPA.
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SUMMARY
As
additional frequently asked questions regarding the Fund are identified,
this FAQ sheet will be updated. For updated information on the Fund,
contact the Fund Administrator at 800-765-4041 ext 1.
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