Illinois EPA spokeswoman Joan Muraro says that by today the agency has collected about $15 million of the $23 million expected. The payment deadline was August 1.

Gov. Rod Blagojevich says Tuesday he's confident the towns will pay after they, quote, "squawk a little bit.''

Tamaroa Mayor Bill Place says his town doesn't have the money. He says the town's not breaking the law, it's practicing civil disobedience.

Mayor Ron Shirk says Pinckneyville's city leaders refuse to pay their $15,000 bill.

A town spokesman says Niles officials sent a letter of protest along with its check for $20,000.