Illinois Code § 2

§ 2.

Findings. The General Assembly finds that: (1) The proliferation of hazardous substances in the environment poses a growing threat to the public health, safety and welfare; that the constantly increasing number and variety of hazardous substances, and the many routes of exposure to them, make it difficult and expensive to adequately monitor and detect any adverse health effects attributable thereto; that individuals themselves are often able to detect and to minimize effects of exposure to hazardous substances if they are aware of the identity of the substances and the early symptoms of unsafe exposure; and that individuals have an inherent right to know the full range of risks they face so that they can make reasoned decisions and take informed action concerning their employment and their living conditions. (2) Local health, fire, police, safety and other governmental officials require detailed information about the identity, characteristics, and quantities of hazardous substances used and stored in communities within their jurisdictions, in order to adequately plan for, and respond to, emergencies, and enforce compliance with applicable laws and regulations concerning these substances. (3) The extent of the toxic contamination of the air, water and land in this State has caused a high degree of concern among its residents; and that much of this concern is needlessly aggravated by the unfamiliarity of these substances to residents. (4) It is in the public interest to establish a comprehensive program for the disclosure of information about hazardous substances in the workplace and the community, and to provide a procedure whereby residents of this State may gain access to this information. (Source: P.A. 86-449.)