As 2008 draws to a close, the IEC staff has been working with partners in the Illinois Climate Action Network (ICAN), Partners for Parks and Wildlife and Mercury Free Illinois to prepare for the 2009 Illinois legislative session and be ready to strike when the time is right with a solid agenda and plan of action. We are continuing our work even though these are times of great and unpredictable change in our national and state governments as well as here at IEC, where long-time Executive...
Despite Public Outcry and Legislation, Illinois Governor Closes Seven State Parks
On Nov. 30,2008, an unprecedented seven state parks closed their doors due to cost-cutting measures taken by Gov. Blagojevich that he said were necessary in the poor economy. The drastic steps were taken despite the fact that the governor had signed SB 790, a sweeps bill that restored $220 million in funds cut from the state budget in July, and SB 1103, a supplemental appropriations bill directing that $2.1 million of those funds be spent to keep open 11 parks originally slated to close Nov...
Seven State Parks Set to Close Nov. 30 Despite Funding to Keep Them Open
Illinois' Natural Heritage in Peril
On Nov. 20, Gov. Blagojevich finally took action on SB 1103, the supplemental appropriations bill languishing on his desk since Oct. 7 when he signed SB 790, a companion sweeps bill that restored $220 million in funds he cut from the state budget in July. SB 1103 directed how those swept funds should be spent and included $2.1 million that lawmakers designated to keep open 11 state parks the governor had slated to close Nov. 30.
Instead, last week Blagojevich approved most of the restored...
Illinois Environmental Council Seeks EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Be an Illinois Environmental Leader
We are looking for a dynamic new Executive Director who can lead the Illinois Environmental Council’s work as the eyes, ears and voice of the environmental community in Springfield.
This exciting opportunity to take the helm of Illinois’ premier environmental coalition presents the right candidate the opportunity to become a leader in the state’s environmental movement. The Illinois Environmental Council (IEC) has been at the forefront of the key environmental campaigns in Springfield over...
Governor Sits on Approps Bill that Would Prevent Park Closings
Grassroots Groups Make a Stand to Save Them
With just five weeks left to go before 11 state parks will close for lack of funding, Gov. Blagojevich has yet to sign SB 1103, a supplemental appropriations bill that would direct $2.1 million to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources to keep those parks open. On Oct. 7, Blagojevich signed SB 790, a sweeps bill that restored $220 million in funds he originally cut from the state’s budget in July, but he took no action on the companion appropriations bill that directed how the funds...
Governor Signs Sweeps Bill but Doesn’t Act on Approps Bill that Would Save State Parks
On Oct. 7, Governor Blagojevich signed SB 790, a sweeps bill sent to him by the House and Senate that restores $220 million in budget cuts he made in July. Yet, Blagojevich didn’t act on SB 1103, the supplemental appropriations bill that would direct where those restored funds go and includes $2.1 million for the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) to avoid the unprecedented closing of 11 state parks scheduled for Nov. 30.
While the Illinois legislature passed these two bills...
But, says IEC Annual Dinner Speaker, We Must Act Now
America needs to invest in a national power grid that connects the country much the way our highway system does; a national energy efficiency upgrade, and renewable energy resources. And if we don’t take action that moves the country in this direction by 2012, it will be too late.
Cathy Zoi, the chief executive officer of the Alliance for Climate Protection, put forth these and other innovative ideas regarding climate change at IEC’s 2008 Environmental Leadership Dinner Sep. 25. The...
Illinois House Passes Supplemental Appropriations Bill to Save Parks
Nature and Recreation Groups Call for Senate to Follow Suit
Partners for Parks and Wildlife (PPW) is calling for the Illinois Senate to hold a special session to pass legislation similar to the supplemental appropriations bill just passed by the Illinois House to keep all state parks and historic site open and staffed through the fiscal year.
In a special session Sep. 10, the Illinois House passed SB1103, a supplemental appropriations bill that reinstates $2.1 million for state parks and historic site funding that was removed in July when Governor...
Illinois Senate Passes Supplemental Approps Bill to Save State Parks
Future still in Peril as Measures Go to the Governor’s Desk
In a special session Sep. 23, the Illinois Senate followed the lead of the House and passed a supplemental appropriations bill and a sweeps bill to prevent the unprecedented closing of 11 state parks and 13 historic sites scheduled for Nov. 30.
SB1103, the approps bill, and SB790, the sweeps bill, were the same bills passed by the House two weeks before and will restore $2.1 million in parks funding that unfortunately comes from designated funds for other Illinois Department of Natural...
Sen. Koehler and about 60 local residents engage in dialogue
The fourth public forum in a statewide series about climate change organized by the Illinois Environmental Council brought close to 60 Peoria residents, a local legislator and several media outlets to the Forest Park Nature Center Sep. 9 to discuss how climate change affects central Illinois. As with the previous three forums in this ongoing series, the attendees proved to be engaged and eager to learn, asking questions and staying to talk more with the experts who spoke at the 90-minute...
The Illinois Environmental Council will honor a powerful trio of people and programs that have furthered the cause of protecting the health of the state’s natural resources and its citizens at the organization’s 2008 Environmental Leadership Dinner Thursday, Sep. 25.
IEC will present Environmental Leadership Awards to the Chicago Recycling Coalition for its successful advocacy for a better recycling program in the City of Chicago and restauranteurs Ina Pinkney and Dan Rosenthal for creating...
Climate Crisis Takes Center Stage at 2008 Environmental Leadership Dinner
Keynote Speaker Cathy Zoi, Head of Al Gore’s Alliance for Climate Protection
The Illinois Environmental Council ratchets up its year-long emphasis on the issue of global warming and the climate crisis with the selection of Cathy Zoi, the chief executive officer of the Alliance for Climate Protection, as keynote speaker of the sixth annual Environmental Leadership Dinner Thursday, Sept. 25.
Zoi joined the Alliance for Climate Protection, the non-profit, non-partisan effort to halt global warming founded by former Vice President Al Gore, in February 2007. The...
Peoria Global Warming Town Hall Meeting Re-Scheduled for Sept. 9
Fourth Forum in Statewide Series Builds on Momentum of Decatur, Alton and Belleville
A town hall meeting on global warming sponsored by the Illinois Environmental Council (IEC) and Environment Illinois originally scheduled to take place Aug. 28 in Peoria has been moved to Tuesday, Sept. 9, because of a conflict with the Democratic National Convention.
The public forum, which is co-hosted by the Forest Park Nature Center, Heart of Illinois (HOI) Sierra Club, and the Central Illinois Global Warming Solutions Group, will run from 7:30-9 p.m. at the Forest Park Nature Center...
Recycling, Green Restaurants, Environmental Philanthropy Spotlighted
The Illinois Environmental Council has announced the winners of its 2008 Environmental Leadership Awards, which will be presented at IEC's annual Environmental Leadership Dinner Sept. 25. The recipients are:
- Chicago Recycling Coalition, which has persevered in its 15-year fight to create a better recycling program for the City of Chicago;
- Dan Rosenthal and Ina Pinkney, founders of the Chicago Green Restaurant Co-op, which links businesses with local sources of sustainable products...
Belleville-area Groups Join Statewide Global Warming Dialogue
Spotlight on Local Efforts and Expertise at Aug. 27 Forum
Two Belleville-area groups will co-host a global warming town hall meeting Wednesday, Aug. 27, in Belleville sponsored by the Illinois Environmental Council (IEC), a legislative watchdog for the state’s environmental community, and Environment Illinois, a statewide, citizen-based environmental advocacy group.
The American Bottom Conservancy and the Kaskaskia Group of the Sierra Club will co-sponsor the public forum, which runs from 6-7:30 p.m. at the Southwestern Illinois College PSOP...
The Illinois Environmental Council and the Illinois Environmental Council Education Fund
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Introduction
Founded in 1975 as not-for-profit organizations, the Illinois Environmental Council (IEC) and the Illinois Environmental Council Education Fund (IECEF) bring together a coalition of organizations and individual members who share a common and active interest in a healthful environment. IEC and IECEF serve as the umbrella organizations for all of the...
Environment Illinois Teams with IEC for Global Warming Forums in Belleville and Peoria
Emphasis on Energy Efficiency and Legislative Solutions
Environment Illinois, a statewide, citizen-based environmental advocacy group, will join the Illinois Environmental Council, for two town hall meetings at the end of August that are part of a statewide series of free public forums on global warming sponsored by IEC.
The latest climate change town hall meetings, which run from 6-7:30 p.m., will take place Aug. 27 at the Southwestern Illinois College’s PSOP building, 201 N. Church, in Belleville; and Aug. 28 at the Forest Park Nature Center in...
Speakers Set for Aug. 12 Public Forum on Global Warming in Alton
Aur J. Beck, an energy efficiency and renewable energy installer who runs Advanced Energy Solutions in Carbondale, will headline “Climate Change: How Does It Affect Alton?,” a town hall meeting sponsored by the Illinois Environmental Council that takes place Tues., Aug. 12.
Beck is a founder and board member of the Illinois Renewable Energy Association and the Southern Illinois Center for a Sustainable Future. He is also a speaker trained by The Climate Project, the nonprofit, nonpartisan...
Simultaneous Press Conferences Statewide Sound Alarm about IDNR Budget Cuts
Two Dozen TV, Radio and Print Outlets Spotlight Negative Impact on Parks and Nature
At five state parks on July 22, concerns about their future and that of Illinois’ natural resources took center stage as a coalition of environmental groups, outdoor enthusiasts and government entities held simultaneous press conferences to protest $14 million in cuts to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) budget.
The story struck a chord with reporters throughout Illinois, and more than two dozen TV, radio and print outlets covered it. For links to those stories, visit the...
Second Global Warming Public Forum to Spotlight Alton
Local Voters and Legislators Come Together to Explore Symptoms and Solutions
The second in a statewide series of town hall meetings sponsored by the Illinois Environmental Council will convene Alton-area residents, elected officials and community groups to discuss how soaring gas prices and asthma rates as well as shifting gardening zones are related to climate change and how to address these diverse problems.
The public forum, “Climate Change: How Does It Affect Alton?” will take place Tuesday, Aug. 12 at 6:30 p.m. at the National Great Rivers Museum, 2 Lock and...
Gov. Blagojevich Chops $14 Million from IDNR Budget
Cuts Could Mean Some State Parks Will Have to Close
On July 11th, Governor Blagojevich cut another $14 million from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources’ (IDNR) budget, decreasing by another 20% the general fund budget for an agency that has lost nearly a quarter of its staff from budget cuts and hiring freezes since 2001. This move, which could force the department to close some parks for lack of staffing, comes at a time when they continue to experience increases in attendance by outdoor enthusiasts.
Decatur Kickoff of Statewide Global Warming Town Hall Series Is Huge Success
Attracts Much Attention from Local Residents, Legislators and Media
About 80 Decatur residents showed up June 24 to hear a nationally known climate change expert and two local legislators discuss global warming and how to solve the problem at an IEC-sponsored town hall meeting at the Decatur Public Library. The two-hour public forum, “Climate Change: How Does It Affect Decatur?” featured a presentation by University of Illinois Atmospheric Science Professor Don Wuebbles and appearances by State Reps. Bob Flider and Bill Mitchell.
Global Warming Goes Local at Town Hall Series Around Illinois
Community Groups, Legislators and Experts to Meet with Local Voters
Soaring asthma rates. Skyrocketing gas prices. Shifting gardening zones. They’re all related to climate change.
The Illinois Environmental Council (IEC) is providing a forum to discuss how these diverse problems are connected to global warming and what Illinois residents can do to help solve them at a series of town hall meetings around the state this summer.
The first in the series, “Climate Change: How Does It Affect Decatur?” will take place Tuesday, June 24, at 6:30 p.m. at the J...
Illinois General Assembly Adjourns 2008 Spring Session With Little to Show
As the dust settles from what turned out to be a long-winded and unproductive legislative session, the Illinois Environmental Council has been assessing the progress made (or damage done) on some 60 pieces of legislation it’s been tracking throughout the last six months. Unfortunately, only four environmental bills eventually got passed, and only one of those originated from the environmental community. It was a do-nothing session right down to the wire, and much important legislation got...
Illinois Clean Cars Act Idles in the House as Poll Shows 90% of Illinois Residents Want More Fuel-Efficient Vehicles
With gas prices at well over $4 a gallon as the summer travel season looms, Illinois residents want cleaner, more fuel-efficient cars even if they cost more, according to a recent poll, but legislation that could make such vehicles available has stalled in the Illinois House.
In a recent statewide poll conducted May 22 by InTouch,* a remarkable 90% of people surveyed said they support legislation pending in Springfield that would require automakers to produce cars that would pollute less...
Report Shows Billion-Dollar Benefit in Clean Cars Legislation
If lawmakers pass the Illinois Clean Cars Act currently under debate in Springfield, the state’s drivers will see fuel cost savings of approximately $1.24 billion annually above and beyond savings from the federal Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) program, according to a new report by Environment Illinois that was released at a press conference April 14. The federal CAFE program raises the average miles per gallon for the nation’s car fleet to 35 by 2020, while the Illinois Clean Cars Act...
Illinois House Passes Bill for Mercury Thermostat Collection
House Bill 5348, sponsored by Rep. Naomi Jakobsson, passed the House unanimously today. The bill creates a program to collect and recycle mercury containing thermostats. Last year Illinois banned the sale of new mercury thermostats, and this bills addresses the problem of thermostats that are currently installed in homes and other buildings.
Each mercury thermostat contains as much as 3 grams of mercury, enough to contaminate a 60 acre lake and all of its fish. The Illinois EPA estimates...
In a show of force not seen in years, about 150 citizen lobbyists converged on the state’s capitol April 2 to speak to their legislators face-to-face about global warming and other environmental concerns. Organized by the IEC and member groups including Faith in Place, Sierra Club and Environment Illinois, Environment Day at the Capitol revived an old tradition and was a huge success.
Upon arriving in Springfield, the volunteers were trained in the basics of lobbying and then split up...
New Coalition Says Illinois CAN Reduce Global Warming
Cleaner Cars Will Pave the Way
The Illinois Climate Action Network -- Illinois CAN -- a new broad-based coalition of environmental, conservation and faith organizations aimed at combating global warming, debuted April 1 with a Springfield press conference calling for clean cars legislation.
The Illinois Clean Cars Act (HB 3424 / SB 2238) would significantly benefit both the environment and the health of the state’s residents. Modeled after California’s Pavley Law and similar laws in a dozen other states, the Act sets...
Illinois Environmental Council Announces 2008 Priority Issues and Honors Legislators with Top Voting Records in 2007
The Illinois Environmental Council (IEC) outlined a policy agenda for tackling five critical environmental issues, including a new focus on global warming, and took stock of...
