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 Director Jonathan Goldman stepped down Dec. 5.

The current turmoil in Illinois’ government presents an unfortunate distraction for our elected officials from the important work to protect the environment that needs to be accomplished in the coming legislative session. Given the recent closing of seven state parks and ongoing budget troubles at the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, now more than ever IEC working with PPW needs to be moving forward with legislation that secures open space and natural areas acquisition funding.

And given the coming changes in the federal government including a new administration that appears interested in the kind of initiatives promoted by IEC through ICAN, now is the time to add fuel to the fire by pushing a clean energy agenda in 2009 from the state level up.

Change provides new challenges and new opportunities. Our economy is undergoing a major transition of its own that is creating a challenging financial picture for IEC as it is for many non profits today. Now more than ever, we need your support to enable us to keep serving as the eyes, ears and voice of the environmental community in Springfield in 2009.

Please consider making a donation to IEC today. Click on the DONATE button in the upper right hand corner of this page. Thank you!