June 24, 2009 American Landmark Properties and the Illinois Environmental Council (IEC) announced plans to transform the Sears Tower into a beacon of leadership for the green building movement. The project will employ a wide array of energy efficiency measures and create new best practices in green building construction and retrofits of existing buildings. The project's goal is to reduce the base energy…

IEC and member groups pushed to get good legislation passed and to the Governor’s desk. Click here for a list of IEC-supported bills that we expect Governor Quinn to sign. Also, we successfully opposed bad bills that were not consistent with IEC's 2009 Policy Agenda.   We will continue to oppose a couple of regrettable bills that did make it through the General Assembly. Also, we are calling upon…

On Earth Day, the Illinois Environmental Council (IEC) re-energized its push to pass several climate change measures including the Natural Gas Energy Efficiency Standard and Illinois Clean Cars Act with the kick-off of its 2009 town hall series, “Global Warming, Local Solutions.” The public forum on the campus of Southern Illinois…

A green jobs summit that represents the first-ever collaboration between the Illinois Environmental Council, the Chicago Urban League and the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus drew about 250 people to a school on Chicago’s south side April 20 to learn what can be done to ensure the emerging green economy encompasses the black…

On March 18, Illinois environmentalists expanded their reach in Springfield nearly 20-fold when approximately 150 volunteers lobbied 95 legislators about critical legislation in a single day. Typically, lobbyists get to talk to a handful of lawmakers on a good day, but Environmental Lobby Day 2009 brought together about 80 volunteers from around the state who converged on capitol to talk to their elected…

The Environmental Council unveiled today an ambitious policy agenda to address five critical environmental issues in Illinois that will also help the state rebuild its ailing economy.   Priorities for a Healthful Illinois: 2009 Illinois Environmental Briefing Book offers specific policies and legislative action for these top environmental priorities: global warming and energy, open space and natural…

The Illinois Environmental Council announced that Charles Jackson, the departing deputy director of the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services, has joined the council as its new executive director.   Jackson says his vision is for the IEC to play a leadership role in developing policies that will create more green jobs and businesses in Illinois.   “We are pleased to have…

In a Feb. 26th press conference, Gov. Patrick Quinn followed through on a pledge he made after taking office earlier this month when he announced the reopening of seven state parks that had been shuttered as a cost-cutting measure by former governor Rod Blagojevich last fall.   The Illinois Environmental Council (IEC) and Partners for Parks and Wildlife (PPW) spent much of the summer and fall of 2008…

In his first week of office, Illinois’ new governor took two major steps that will have a significant impact on the future of Illinois’ natural areas and wildlife. On Feb. 5, Gov. Pat Quinn appointed Marc Miller, a well-regarded natural resources professional, as the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) director. Miller had been senior policy adviser and liaison to the Illinois River…

Two major events on the national scene this week have the potential to positively impact IEC and its members’ efforts to protect the environment in Illinois.Clean CarsWhen President Barack Obama directed the EPA this week to reconsider California’s request to impose stricter limits on greenhouse gas emissions from cars, he paved the way for the state of Illinois – the 7th largest source of…