EPA-BATTERIES STEWARDSHIP

Creates the Illinois Portable Batteries Stewardship Act. Requires producers that are selling or distributing certain batteries to participate in a battery stewardship organization. Requires certain batteries to be marked with specified labeling for the purposes of later disposal. Provides for roles of retailers with respect to certain batteries. Prohibits retailers, producers, or battery stewardship organizations from charging a specific point-of-sale fee to consumers. Describes reporting and plan approval requirements. Provides that battery stewardship organizations must develop a system to collect charges from participating producers to cover expenses and duties of battery stewardship organizations. Provides for specified collection containers and locations for specified batteries. Provides that battery stewardship organizations must provide certain permanent collection sites and meet other requirements. Provides for use of existing waste collection services and facilities where practicable. Provides for educational and outreach requirements. Provides for an annual fee to the Agency to be deposited into the Solid Waste Management Fund. Describes responsibilities of the Agency. Provides for a $7,000 civil penalty for violations collected through a civil action brought by a State's Attorney or the Attorney General to be deposited into the Environmental Protection Trust Fund, as well as prohibitory or mandatory injunctive relief. Creates a Class 4 felony for fraud related to the Act. Sets requirements for battery disposal and collection. Prohibits certain types of battery disposal and collection. Provides for battery stewardship organizations to complete an assessment for the purposes of identifying any required adjustments to the program. Grants immunity to certain organizations from antitrust requirements and related laws. Grants rulemaking powers to the Agency. Contains other provisions. States findings and purposes. Defines terms. Effective immediately.