State lawmakers and environmental advocates drafted a bill to prepare the state for migration, recognizing the Midwest as a climate haven for people evading climate disasters.
After wildfires erupted near Illinois State Sen. Graciela Guzmán’s extended family’s home in Los Angeles, the fear of the next wildfire lingered. Her family started talking about whether it was time to move to avoid the increasing risk of their homes burning down.
As climate-driven disasters become more frequent and severe, people in the U.S. and worldwide are asking themselves a similar question: Is it time to relocate to a more stable place to live?
Earlier this month, Gov. JB Pritzker signed new legislation, sponsored by Guzmán, requiring Illinois to create a climate displacement task force ahead of potential climate-driven in-migration.
Dany Robles, Illinois Environmental Council’s legislative relations director, helped draft the Climate Displacement Act, with the help of Sen. Graciela Guzmán.
The task force will study projected climate migration patterns in Illinois and develop strategies to ensure the city and state are prepared to welcome new residents, said Dany Robles, Illinois Environmental Council’s legislative relations director, who spearheaded the bill’s drafting with Guzmán.
Robles said some examples of recommendations the task force could make include measures to expand affordable housing and cross-collaboration between state agencies responding to an influx of climate migrants.
Illinois’ location and natural assets position the state as a potential destination for climate migrants, said Robles. It can be seen as more resilient to climate change because of its freshwater availability and more temperate climate. It doesn’t see as many hurricanes or wildfires as other regions in the country, and it is also promoted as a “Welcoming State” to immigrants and other newcomers.
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