Kate Katauskas
Communications Intern
The Illinois General Assembly returned to Springfield on January 14, 2026, and is scheduled to adjourn on May 31, 2026. During this typically fast-moving period, lawmakers will introduce, debate, and vote on hundreds of bills, shaping everything from clean energy programs and transportation funding to water protections and environmental justice policies. With so much at stake, the Illinois legislative session is one of the most important opportunities for Illinoisans to make their voices heard.
Whether you are a long-time environmental advocate or someone looking to get more involved, there are simple steps you can take to plug in. Understanding the issues, connecting with your legislators, and engaging throughout the process can make a significant difference. Below are five ways to get ready for the 2026 legislative session and help advance meaningful environmental action in Illinois with IEC.
1. Stay up to date on key environmental issues
Strong advocacy begins with staying informed. As the legislative session approaches, it’s helpful to familiarize yourself with the environmental issues that are likely to surface at the Capitol. You can start preparing by reviewing IEC’s policy platform and our 2026 Legislative Agenda. These include clean energy expansion, water and wetlands protection, nature conservation, sustainable transportation, and environmental justice.
Many of these topics will see bill introductions early in session, and staying current will help you understand which proposals support environmental progress and which may undermine it. You can learn more about our priorities on our website, where you’ll find detailed information about each one.
Another reliable way to keep up with policy developments is by following IEC’s Legislative Updates. IEC tracks environmental legislation as it moves through Springfield and translates complex proposals into clear, accessible summaries. This resource helps you stay aware of new bills, emerging threats, and important conversations across committees and chambers. You can rely on curated updates that highlight what’s important for Illinois’ environment.
As the session gets underway, these updates will help you get a sense of where bills stand and how the landscape is changing. When you understand the issues and the stakes, you are better equipped to advocate effectively.
2. Get to know your state legislators
One of the most impactful steps you can take is simply getting to know who represents you in the Illinois House and Senate. Your legislators are responsible for voting on bills during session, and they take note when constituents reach out to express their concerns or support. It is much easier to advocate effectively when you already know who to call, email, or meet with.
IEC’s Legislator Lookup Tool makes it easy to identify your representatives and learn more about them. Once you know who represents your community, you can explore their past voting records, review their public positions on environmental issues, and find contact information. These small actions help you understand what issues they care about and how they engage with constituents.
Building familiarity now means that when a session begins and important legislation is introduced, you already have a relationship in place. When legislators hear from engaged, informed constituents early and often, they are more likely to take environmental priorities seriously. Preparing now makes your voice stronger later.
3. Understand the Illinois Legislative Process
Your advocacy becomes much more powerful when you understand how a bill actually becomes law. While the process may seem complicated at first, learning the basics empowers you to take meaningful action at the right time. A bill can be introduced in either chamber and is then assigned to a committee, where hearings and amendments take place. If a committee approves the bill, it moves on to a full vote in that chamber before heading to the opposite chamber for the same process. If both chambers approve the bill, it goes to the Governor for signature or veto.
The committee stage is important. Many bills never make it past committee, and this is where public engagement can have the most immediate influence. When IEC calls on constituents to submit witness slips, reach out to their lawmakers, or testify in hearings, legislators see firsthand how their communities feel about specific proposals. Understanding this timing can help you focus your advocacy when it matters most.
IEC provides clear explanations of where bills are in the process and what actions are needed, making it easier to follow along. When you receive an update or alert during a session, it will often specify whether a bill is in committee, heading to the floor for a vote, or awaiting the Governor’s signature, helping you respond effectively and in a timely manner.
Make use of our Civics for Environmentalists YouTube playlist to learn more about the legislative process!
4. Make your voice heard through IEC Action Alerts
You don’t need to be a policy expert to make a difference. IEC’s action alerts make it simple to engage in advocacy from anywhere in the state. These alerts are sent during key moments when your voice can have the greatest impact. They explain what a bill does, why it matters, and how you can share your opinion with the legislators who need to hear from you. In just a few minutes, you can write and send an email and share critical information with your own networks.
Taking action quickly is especially important during a session. Things move fast, and a single committee hearing can determine whether a bill advances or dies. Our action alerts help you cut through the noise and respond when it counts, without needing to follow the entire legislative calendar on your own.
Even small actions can influence policy outcomes, especially when they are part of a broader effort. When hundreds or thousands of people contact their legislators about the same bill, it sends a powerful message. If you aren’t already subscribed to IEC alerts and newsletters, now is the perfect time to sign up so you are ready to answer our calls to action.
5. Plug into your advocacy community
Meaningful environmental progress doesn’t happen in isolation. Success depends on communities across Illinois working together to support strong policies and hold decision-makers accountable. The advocacy community is broad and welcoming, and there are many ways to get involved regardless of your level of experience.
Connecting with other advocates helps you stay informed, motivated, and supported. You can attend community meetings, workshops, or educational events to deepen your knowledge. Many organizations, including IEC, host lobby days or small group meetings with legislators, which are great ways to build confidence and experience. Following environmental organizations on social media and subscribing to newsletters keeps you updated on the latest opportunities to engage, even if you cannot always be physically present.
Joining others who care about clean water, safe communities, climate action, and conservation creates momentum that carries throughout the legislative session. The more people who are informed and engaged, the stronger the collective voice for environmental protection becomes.
You can view our Lunch and Learn Series to watch past videos designed to keep the Illinois environmental community connected, while building knowledge and curiosity.
Ready for Session?
The 2026 legislative session is a critical window for environmental action in Illinois. By familiarizing yourself with priority issues, getting to know your legislators, understanding how bills move, responding to IEC alerts, and connecting with fellow advocates, you’ll be ready to help shape decisions that protect our state’s environment and communities.
Now is the time to prepare, and together we can make the upcoming session a powerful moment for progress.
About the Author
Kate is IEC’s Communications Intern, creating content to inspire Illinois’ environmental community to take action. Her past work highlights sustainability, environmental policy, and environmental justice. She is passionate about inclusive scientific communication and strives to turn complex issues into actionable advocacy.
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