Approval and Promulgation of State Implementation Plan; Illinois

EPA is taking final action on the following revisions to the Illinois ozone State Implementation Plan (SIP): Rate-Of-Progress (ROP) plans for the purpose of reducing Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) emissions in the Chicago ozone nonattainment area (Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, and Will Counties, Oswego Township in Kendall County, and Aux Sable and Goose Lake Townships in Grundy County) and in the Metro-East St. Louis ozone nonattainment area (Madison, Monroe, and St. Clair Counties) by 15 percent by November 15, 1996, relative to 1990 baseline emissions; contingency plans for the same ozone nonattainment areas for the purpose of achieving an additional 3 percent VOC emission reductions beyond the 15 percent ROP plans; and transportation control measures (TCM) for the Metro-East St. Louis area. Previously, on July 14, 1997, EPA issued a direct final approval of these SIP revisions. On the same day (July 14, 1997), EPA proposed approval and solicited public comment on the SIP revisions. This proposed rule established a 30-day public comment period noting that if adverse comments were received regarding the direct final rule EPA would withdraw the direct final rule and publish an additional final rule to address the public comments. Adverse comments were received during the public comment period, and EPA withdrew the direct final rule on September 3, 1997 (62 FR 46446). This final rule addresses these comments and finalizes the approval of the Chicago and Metro-East area 15 percent and contingency plans, and the Metro-East area TCMs.