​Environmental groups are hailing passage of a bill (SB9) to regulate the cleanup of coal ash pits at Illinois power plant sites. The Illinois House passed the measure on Monday 77-35 with one member voting Present (following Senate passage on May 9), and it now goes to Governor Pritzker’s desk.

Coal ash is one of the largest types of industrial waste generated in the U.S., according to the EPA. And some Illinois lawmakers say the state has a coal ash problem. 

Several Illinois environmental advocates are calling on state legislators to regulate the dumping of coal ash – a byproduct of coal burning-- generated by utility companies.