Illinois EPA's photostream

Workers attach crane cables to a huge manifold on the roof of the former Chemetco secondary copper smelter in Hartford, Illinois, as demolition of the buildings at the Superfund site began on Sept. 13. The facility operated from 1969 until 2001 when it went into bankruptcy and was sealed by the Illinois EPA as a result of hazardous materials left on site. It became a federal Superfund site in March 2010.

Workers attach crane cables (close-up) to a huge manifold on the roof of the former Chemetco secondary copper smelter in Hartford, Illinois, as demolition of the buildings at the Superfund site began on Sept. 13. The facility operated from 1969 until 2001 when it went into bankruptcy and was sealed by the Illinois EPA as a result of hazardous materials left on site. It became a federal Superfund site in March 2010.

Darcy Baker of Springfield won a rain barrel made from recycled plastic that was purchased by the Illinois EPA Employee Recognition Committee and beautifully decorated by several of the Agency’s 2011 Governor’s Environmental Corps interns. During each day of this year’s Illinois State Fair, visitors to the Agency exhibit in Conservation World were invited to guess the number of plastic bottle caps in the barrel. Each day of the fair, the entry that was closest to the actual total without going over was entered into a drawing to encourage water conservation.

Sign indicating funding through ARRA.