Sangamon Sun

During the House Energy and Environment Committee hearing discussing HB 418 or the EPA on Balloon Release, State Rep. Tim Butler (R-Springfield) recommended further look into the provision of the penalties stated on the bill.

"I do appreciate the sentiment of this legislation,” Butler said. “I do think it is important whatever we can do to educate various organizations to stay away from balloon launches, I think it would be good but certainly a $500 fine is a, I would say that's a penalty enhancement."

According to the Illinois General Assembly website, the House Bill, which amends the Environmental Protection Act, “Provides that persons who violate the amendatory Act's provisions shall be subject to a civil penalty of $500 for each offense, and that the release of 50 balloons or fewer at one time is a single offense."

It also "Provides that no person shall knowingly release or cause or organize the release of balloons into the air unless the balloons are (1) used by an institution of higher education or a governmental agency, or pursuant to a governmental contract, for bona fide scientific or meteorological purposes or (2) released indoors and remain indoors.”

The bill was sponsored by State Rep. Sam Yingling (D-Round Lake Beach).