Climate Change

State Legislators Earn Coveted Top Marks for Their Environmental Voting Record

Illinois Environmental Council Releases Annual Scorecard (SPRINGFIELD, IL) – The Illinois Environmental Council (IEC) released its 2023 Legislative Environmental Scorecard today. The scorecard, which is released annually, assigns a percentage score to legislators based on how they voted on bills affecting the environment. This year, 17 state representatives and 10 state senators received 100% scores

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2023 Environmental Scorecard

IEC is proud to present our 2023 Environmental Scorecard for the Illinois General Assembly. Scores are based on the environmental impact of their voting record over the last legislative session.  We hope this will be a useful resource and allow you to see whether your legislators have used their power in the General Assembly to

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Governor Pritzker Vetoes Legislation That Would Have Allowed Ameren to Monopolize Transmission Projects

Illinois — Today, Governor JB Pritzker issued an amendatory veto on HB3445—legislation that would have given Ameren, the private utility company that serves much of Central and Southern Illinois, a “Right of First Refusal” to build regional transmission lines in Southern Illinois. Under this bill, Ameren would have been given first dibs on building new

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Moratorium on New Nuclear Remains in Place in Illinois Thanks to Governor Pritzker’s Veto

Illinois — Today, Governor JB Pritzker vetoed SB76—a bill that would have lifted Illinois’ decades-old moratorium on new nuclear power plants. Responding to growing concerns about safety, waste and cost associated with nuclear power generation, the Illinois General Assembly passed a moratorium on developing new nuclear facilities within the state in 1987. Those concerns remain

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Congratulations, Chicago Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson

By: Iyana Simba, City Programs Director The Illinois Environmental Council congratulates incoming Chicago Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson on their recent election victory. We are excited to begin working with you on building the sustainable and healthy environment that all Chicagoans deserve.  Still on the heels of 2021’s Climate and Equitable Jobs Act passage in Illinois and

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Gov. Pritzker Signs Legislation Protecting Clean Energy Projects

SPRINGFIELD, IL – Gov. JB Pritzker signed legislation protecting Illinois-based clean energy projects from a growing number of local bans. HB4412 prevents counties from enacting preemptive local ordinances that outright ban local wind and solar projects, hindering the state’s new climate goals set forth in the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA). The bill passed

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A Southeast Side Story: A Closer look at Environmental Justice, Resistance and Sustainability on the East Side

Illinois is home to a diverse range of natural landscapes: from native prairie lands to forest preserves and state parks to marshes, rivers, and other iconic waterways. A large part of IEC’s mission is preserving these natural spaces and building healthy environments for the communities who call them home; however, this mission cannot be approached in the same exact way for each and every community across the state.

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League of Conservation Voters 2021 National Scorecard Shows Illinois Delegation Strongly Support Our Environment and Democracy

Springfield, IL – Today, the Illinois Environmental Council (IEC), state affiliate of the League of Conservation Voters (LCV), announced the Illinois congressional delegation’s scores on LCV’s 2021 National Environmental Scorecard. The Scorecard is the primary yardstick for evaluating the environmental records of members of Congress since 1970 and is available for download in English here,

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Statement: Gov. Pritzker’s FY23 Budget Proposal a Historic Commitment to Climate Solutions

(Springfield, IL) – Today, the Illinois Environmental Council (IEC) reacted to Gov. JB Pritzker’s annual State of the State address and FY23 budget proposal issuing the following statement: “The Illinois Environmental Council applauds Gov. JB Pritzker for proposing a state budget that prioritizes resources for combatting climate change, a first in Illinois history. Never before

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Illinois Environmental Council Celebrates Final Passage of Nation-leading Comprehensive and Equitable Climate Legislation in Illinois

SPRINGFIELD, IL (September 13, 2021) – Following is a statement from the Illinois Environmental Council (IEC) Executive Director Jen Walling on today’s historic Senate vote on SB2408, the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act: “This is a story about the power of people and the environmental movement in Illinois standing up to big fossil fuel and

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Illinois Environmental Council statement on today’s Senate vote on Climate and Equitable Jobs Act

Statement from Jen Walling, executive director of the Illinois Environmental Council (IEC) ahead of today’s Senate energy vote: “IEC is cheering the Senate on today as they convene to cast a historic vote on the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act, legislation that will have a lasting legacy on the future of our state, our most

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Statement: Illinois Environmental Council on latest energy bill agreement

“Representing more than 100 Illinois environmental organizations, we stand in support of SB2408, the comprehensive climate and equitable jobs act that will tackle the climate crisis at the scale science demands, and that aligns with our values of equity and accountability. “We are proud to support this bill, which includes a specific timeline for decarbonization

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Illinois Environmental Council celebrates house passage of Climate and Equitable Jobs Act

Springfield, IL (September 9, 2021) — The Illinois Environmental Council Executive Director Jen Walling issued the following statement on the House passage of the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act SB2408: “We are closer than ever before to passing the nation’s most comprehensive, equitable climate bill. The passage of SB2408 today in the House of Representatives

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Statement: Illinois Environmental Council on latest version of energy bill

CHICAGO (August 30, 2021)–Following is a statement from Jen Walling, executive director of the Illinois Environmental Council, on the latest climate and energy bill released today: “We stand on the precipice of passing comprehensive climate and equitable jobs legislation in Illinois. This moment comes after a years-long campaign, and our even longer strategic effort to

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IEC Responds to Gov. Pritzker’s Climate Remarks

SPRINGFIELD, IL — Today, Illinois Environmental Council Executive Director Jen Walling released the following statement in response to Gov. JB Pritzker’s remarks regarding climate change and his decision to prioritize clean energy legislation during his 2020 State of the State address:  “At a time when the Trump administration is taking major steps backward on climate,

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General Assembly Repeals Act Preventing Greenhouse Gas Regulation

HB3481 heading to governor’s desk for signature SPRINGFIELD, IL — Today, the Illinois State Senate voted to repeal the Kyoto Protocol Act of 1998, a law prohibiting the state from creating restrictions on greenhouse gas emissions and addressing climate change. House Bill 3481, which is sponsored by State Sen. Laura Ellman (D – Naperville), passed

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IEC EnviroNews (Spring 2009)

Fint the full PDF online here or scroll down to read. Reflecting on environmental impact of Obama and Quinn victories Illinois could be a leader with Clean Cars legislation Update on Mercury Profile of Prairie Rivers Network Review of annual meeting List of upcoming events

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IEC Bulletin (May 2000)

Find the full PDF online here or scroll down to read. Spring session review Governor Ryan plans summit on coal, energy, and clean air Illinois in top 10 for coal plant emissions Legislation to clean-up aging power plants postponed Wildlife Prairie Park declared premier wildlife park

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