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Hazardous Materials Emergency Preparedness (HMEP)

​The purpose of this grant program is to increase state, territorial, tribal, and local effectiveness in safely and efficiently handling hazardous materials incidents; enhance implementation of the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act of 1986 (EPCRA); and encourage a comprehensive approach to emergency training and planning by incorporating the unique challenges of response to transportation situations.

  1. Eligibility Information

    The primary objective of the HMEP Planning Grants Program is to

    develop, improve, and carry out the hazardous chemical transportation emergency plans under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) 49 USC 5116a.

    In order to be eligible to receive an HMEP planning grant, the sub-recipient, along with the Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC), must demonstrate that it has completed the following:


    • Filed with IEMA a current approved membership roster, including required officer designations;
    • Submitted for IEMA review rules or bylaws by which the committee functions;
    • Posted legal notice(s) of LEPC meeting times, dates and locations;
    • Conducted LEPC meetings on at least a quarterly basis; and,
    • Posted when and where the annual Chemical Emergency Response Plan, if completed, may be viewed.

  2. Application and Submission Information

    IEMA has changed the application period for LEPC planning grants to coincide with the federal performance period. IEMA’s goal is to complete the application period and award funds as soon as possible to allow sub-recipients 36 months to complete their project initiatives.

  3. Application Review Information

    All applications submitted by local governments on behalf of LEPCs are reviewed by the HMEP Grant Program manager and the director’s designee to the State Emergency Response Commission (SERC). The sub-recipient awards are determined based upon quality of project submissions within the application and risk factors for each LEPC.

  4. Award Administration Information

    Sub-recipients will be notified via e-mail from 

    ittf.grants@illinois.gov when final grant funding allocations have been determined. Grant agreements will be emailed out for sub-recipients’ signatures in advance of the beginning of the federal grant performance period.

  5. State Awarding Agency Contact

    For more information on the Hazardous Materials Emergency Preparedness Grant Program, please contact Nichole Strayer at IEMA-OHS, 2200 South Dirksen Parkway, Springfield, IL 62703, 

    Nichole.Strayer@illinois.gov