Building Power for People & the Environment

Data Center Policy to Protect Illinois Communities

The POWER Act

power-act-banner
Community Members Rallying for the POWER Act at Lobby Day, May 2026

Protecting Our Water, Energy, and Ratepayers: This new legislation will hold data centers accountable, protecting our wallets and our communities. Without guardrails, data centers could increase our electricity costs by $37 billion through 2050. That’s a 24% increase!

Building Long-Term Resilience

Protecting Our Wetlands

wetlands house committee hearing 3.2026

We packed the House Energy & Environment Committee to urge lawmakers to safeguard our waters, wildlife, and communities by supporting the Wetlands Protection Act. Thanks to our visual impact (check out our cute wetlands-themed t-shirts!), the bill moved forward and passed out of committee. Let’s keep this momentum going!

NEW Latest Resource

2026 Environmental Scorecard

How did your state legislators score on this year’s Environmental Scorecard? If you’re curious, then you’re in the right place!

We’ve made this resource free and available to the public.

Latest Resource

2026 Legislative report

IEC’s state legislative team has published our 2026 Legislative Report detailing environmental wins and setbacks during this year’s legislative session. Take a look.

You're Invited

Environmental Leadership Dinner

Join us for our 24th annual Environmental Leadership Dinner. We will be celebrating some of our state’s most valiant environmental champions and leaders of the past year as we also look to the year ahead. Join us!

Action Center

Start Your Advocacy

We provide everything you need to get started. Visit our Action Center to find the education and advocacy opportunities that are perfect for you.

Secure Illinois' Climate Future

The environment matters to you. Tell your lawmakers to fight for it, too. Check out our campaigns.

Safeguard Illinois' Climate

Help us ensure that Illinois charges forward in pursuit of strong climate and clean energy policies that are equitable, affordable, and reliable.

Protect Illinois Wetlands

Illinois has already lost 90% of its original wetlands. Protection and restoration of these areas is critical for the future of our state's animals, plants, and communities.

Phase Out Single-Use Plastics

Every year 22 million pounds of plastic enter the Great Lakes. We can't recycle our way out of our plastics problem. It's time to kick single-use plastics.

Defeat Anti-Environment Legislation

Click the button to see our full priorities list.

Expand Your Policy Expertise

Illinois has a chance to lead

Explore Our Vision for Illinois

IEC addresses Illinois’ most urgent environmental issues​ by shaping policy.

IEC Blog

See what IEC staff and affiliates are saying about key environmental issues.​

Our Affiliates Power Our Work

Over 150 Organizations Believe in Our Mission

IEC relies on our affiliate member organizations to identify the biggest issues facing our environment. Together, we share resources, mobilize supporters, and respond quickly to policy debates and advocacy opportunities.

Discover what it means to be an IEC affiliate.

Our Affiliates

IEC Membership

Get exclusive and early access to policy insights and events.

Our Updates

On Aug. 11, Mayor Brandon Johnson signed an executive order calling for a pause on data center construction and expansion in the city of Chicago.
Mayor Brandon Johnson signed an executive order Tuesday directing city departments to intensify scrutiny of new data centers in Chicago — a politically potent move that doesn’t unilaterally impose new limits on the fast-growing industry, but could slow its growth.
The Illinois Environmental Council (IEC) is looking for a Community Outreach Intern to join our amazing team.
Every year, the Illinois Environmental Council (IEC) issues a voting scorecard that grades members of the Illinois General Assembly on how they voted for bills affecting the environment.
Richard Chew is joined by Dany Robles, senior legislative director at the Illinois Environmental Council (IEC); he talks about IEC's 2026 Legislative Environmental Scorecard.
Commercial pesticides are being detected in public spaces like schools and parks, according to recently released research by Prairie Rivers Network, an Illinois-based nonprofit that advocates for water health. ​In addition, environmental advocates say Illinois ​doesn’t have an established method to track ​agricultural pesticide drift and ​lacks the regulations to prevent exposure like what occurred in Morton.