It is past time for dedicated capital funding for water infrastructure to ensure every Illinoisan has access to clean, affordable water.
The Critical Need for Water Infrastructure Funding Read More »
Get the list of the top bills IEC will be working on during the 2019 legislative session.
IEC 2019 Priority Legislation Read More »
Governor Pritzker recently introduced his FY20 Budget Proposal in an address to the General Assembly. IEC is pleased that this budget reflects many of our community’s priorities, and will help advance clean energy, preserve natural resources, and protect our air and water. Over the past 4 years, severe budget cuts to agencies and environmental programs resulted in
FY20 Budget and the Environment Read More »
IEC is pleased to release our 2019 Chicago Environmental Mayor Report, which includes policy recommendations for improving the City’s environment and livability. The document represents the work of experts from 22 IEC affiliate organizations. Read the document below or click here to download it.
Chicago Environmental Mayor Report Read More »
Governor Pritzker recently released reports from each of his administration’s 11 transition committees. Included in those reports is that of the Powering Illinois’ Future Committee, which IEC’s Executive Director Jen Walling co-chaired. You can read that committee’s entire report here: Click here to view the report if the document fails to load.
Powering Illinois’ Future Read More »
As one of his first acts, Governor Pritzker signed Illinois onto the US Climate Alliance
What joining the US Climate Alliance means for Illinois Read More »
Advantage News “Advocates and residents from across Illinois gathered in Springfield on Tuesday for a fourth hearing before the Illinois Pollution Control Board to testify in opposition to the latest proposal to increase dangerous air pollution from the Central and Southern Illinois coal fleet operated by Texas-based Vistra Energy. Illinois residents who have been affected
Civic leaders, residents call for stricter pollution regulations Read More »
By Peter Hancock | Herald & Review “Gov. J.B Pritzker signed an order Tuesday to join the U.S. Climate Alliance at a news conference in Springfield’s eco-friendly Southwind Park. Pritzker was joined by officials from the Illinois Environmental Council and the Illinois chapter of the Sierra Club emphasizing the need to take local action to
With signature, Pritzker commits Illinois to U.S. Climate Alliance Read More »
Block Club Chicago | by A.D. Quig “If the tax break is approved, the property would be assessed at 10 percent of its market value for the first 10 years, 15 percent in the 11th year and 20 percent in the 12th year. Colleen Smith, the legislative director for the Illinois Environmental Council, said taxpayers
Rich Miller | Capitol Fax Illinois continues to reel from the fatal outbreak of legionella at the Quincy Veterans’ Home. School and park districts are scrambling to address troubling levels of lead in water lines and drinking fountains. Now the House is considering a radical measure that would eliminate longstanding protections that ensure the proper
SB 1226 Endangers Safe Drinking Water & Public Health Read More »
Sun-Times Editorial BoardIn the Illinois River last summer, algae blooms gave off a toxin that can be absorbed through the skin, inhaled as a mist or swallowed, causing rashes, hives, diarrhea, vomiting, coughing and wheezing. In some cases, the toxins can be fatal. Similarly, residents of Toledo, Ohio, were warned four years ago not to
EDITORIAL: How Illinois can block Trump administration plan to foul our waters Read More »
Madeleine DoubekLast month, the Better Government Association’s investigative unit reported that a “managed competition” program being used for residential recycling wasn’t being managed well at all…The report found neighborhoods on the Northwest, West and Far South sides were 20 times more likely to have their recycling diverted to a landfill. Waste Management handles the recycling
How to make Chicago’s recycling better than just garbage in, garbage out Read More »
The winners of yesterday’s election will be making decisions that have wide-ranging impacts on Illinois’s environment.
Did Illinois just elect the most pro-environment General Assembly ever? Read More »
Report includes backgrounds on key environmental issue areas and specific recommendations for how the Governor can protect the environment in their role. Click here if the form fails to load.
IEC Releases the 2018 Environmental Executive Report Read More »
Jen Walling Executive Director, Illinois Environmental Council Without a family history of breast cancer, no one can pinpoint how my mother developed cancer. I was ten years old at the time, and as everyone who has gone through a similar experience knows, the diagnosis was incredibly hard on my family. The experience made enough of
Sterigenics, Ethylene Oxide and Human Health Read More »
More than 2,000 IEC, Sierra Club and NRDC supporters came together to apply for the new Specialty Monarch License Plate Decal, raising over $20,000 for roadside monarch habitat and ensuring the decal will be commissioned!
2,000 Monarch License Plate Decal Applications Received Read More »
By Cary Shepherd Policy Director, Illinois Environmental Council The federal administration unveiled its latest attempt to prevent our nation’s transition to a clean energy economy earlier this week. After announcing the repeal of the Clean Power Plan – the Obama Administration’s signature climate change policy – the EPA has proposed to replace it with the
Federal Setbacks and the State of Illinois Energy Policy Read More »
Representative Robyn Gabel has represented the 18th District since 2010, and during that time she has earned a reputation as a champion for environmental issues.
Legislator Feature: Robyn Gabel Read More »
By Jen Walling Executive Director, Illinois Environmental Council While I’m sure 12-year-old me would be very proud of my current career (my friend Dorothy and I would stay behind after lunch to recycle milk cartons), I’m also certain I had no idea that advocating for the environment was a potential career option. As it turns
How to Pursue a Career Protecting the Environment Read More »
More and more emergency situations are arising from substandard water infrastructure, with the tragedy in Flint drawing national attention to this critical issue.
The State of Water Infrastructure in Illinois Read More »
Last week, the IEC staff went to Washington, D.C. for a Congressional lobby day with the League of Conservation Voters (LCV). This trip marked a positive beginning to our exciting new partnership with LCV, and an opportunity for IEC to meet with members of Illinois’s federal delegation regarding both the federal and state priorities of
IEC Goes to Washington Read More »
Breaking a long trend of cuts and unspent appropriations, natural resources finally received improved funding in the FY19 Illinois budget and capital budget. One especially heartening development will see the operating budget for the Illinois Department of Natural Resources increase 6.7% compared to FY18. A major highlight of the capital plan is the dedication of
Natural Resources and Conservation in the Illinois Budget Read More »
The Illinois General Assembly adjourned on May 31st after passing a budget, which was signed by Governor Rauner the morning of June 4th. Read our budget update to learn more about the benefits to environmental programs of the fiscal year 2019 budget. The General Assembly likely will not meet again until after the election for
2018 Session in Review Read More »
This week, the General Assembly took steps to move forward a comprehensive budget for Fiscal Year 2019. As we are still dealing with the damage caused to environmental programs and our natural areas by the record-setting budget impasse, it’s vital that a sound budget is in place for our work growing clean jobs, conserving open spaces, and protecting
FY19 Budget and the Environment Read More »
With 3 weeks remaining in the spring legislative session, IEC remains focused on a few important measures, and the ongoing budget negotiations. VW Settlement and a Clean Transportation Sector Thank you to all who took action on the VW settlement public comment period! Nearly 700 supporters took action through IEC’s online form to criticize the
5/11 Update from Springfield Read More »
On Thursday, April 26th, nearly 300 advocates joined us in Springfield for Environmental Lobby Day. The strength of our community was clearly on display as attendees from all over Illinois met with their state legislators regarding our priority legislation for the session, and rallied in front of the Capitol. The presence of hundreds of advocates,
2018 Environmental Lobby Day in Review Read More »
Friday, April 13th is the final deadline for bills to get out of committee in both chambers. It was a mixed week in Springfield for IEC: while many of the proposals we support advanced towards passage, others very bad proposals moved forward despite our strong opposition. Bills that do not get out of committee by
Committee Deadline Week Read More »
Innovative Partnership to Hold Elected Officials Accountable and Elevate Environmental Issues Protecting Illinois’ environment is the focus of a new partnership launched today between the Illinois Environmental Council and the League of Conservation Voters (LCV). This partnership will be used to hold decision makers accountable, put environmental issues front and center in the electoral process,
IEC Announces League of Conservation Voters Partnership Read More »
IEC Interviews: Lavannya PulluveetilClean Energy Fellow, Environmental Defense Fund Meet LavannyaIEC: Please tell us a little bit about yourself and your background. How did you come to work on policy issues related to clean energy access?Lavannya: I’m a recent grad with a degree in in Environmental and Sustainability Sciences as well as International Agriculture and
IEC Affiliate Interview: Environmental Defense Fund Read More »
Today, Governor Rauner released his FY19 Budget Proposal in an address to the General Assembly. The Governor’s budget is an effort to close an estimated $9 billion budget hole while also assuming a lower income tax rate than the increase that was passed last year. The final budget that comes for a vote is likely
Governor’s Proposed FY19 Budget Read More »
The 2018 state legislative session began February, 30th 2018. With the Primary Election scheduled for March 20, session days are light between now and March. With continued threats to the environment coming from the federal level, we will be working harder than ever to defend existing protections and push environmental justice priorities in our 2018
What will IEC be up to in 2018 Read More »
By Lindsay KeeneyDownstate Outreach Director, Illinois Environmental Council You can’t protect something you don’t love. Nurtured in central Illinois creek beds that had a tendency to banish a nice pair pair of school clothes straight to the dirty clothes pile, I love water. Geography gifted me the chance play, fish and study water from an
Staff Feature: Lindsay Keeney Read More »
IEC is excited to release our first “Legislator Feature” on our blog! Through this series, we hope to share with our supporters how legislators think about environmental issues, and what areas they are specifically interested in. For this entry, we are pleased to interview State Representative Carol Ammons. Representative Carol Ammons is serving her second
Legislator Feature: State Representative Carol Ammons Read More »
By Jen WallingExecutive Director, Illinois Environmental Council I’ve never imagined an Illinois where Lisa Madigan was no longer attorney general. She has been an immutable figure on the Illinois political landscape for two decades, and a reliable decision-maker and partner on many of the environmental community’s campaigns. When embarking on a campaign, we begin by
Why the Race for Attorney General Matters for Environmentalists Read More »
Since mid-2016, the Chicago Tribune has been publishing an investigative series highlighting the many human and environmental harms caused by confined animal feeding operations (CAFOs). One shocking revelation came from IDNR records that show that half of all fish kills in Illinois rivers are related to spills from livestock operations. In response to these reports,
Texas-based Dynegy Inc. has launched a two-pronged assault on our environment, public health, and ratepayers. In the past few weeks, Dynegy requested that the Illinois Pollution Control Board to rewrite the state’s Multi-Pollutant Standard (MPS), was sold to a fellow Texas-based energy giant, Vistra Energy, for $1.7 billion, and filed legislation that would grant them
Dynegy’s Double-Bailout Called Into Question at Hearing Read More »
11 Senators and 33 Representatives Oppose SB 2250 and HB 4141, Dynegy’s Double-Bailout Dynegy, a Texas-based energy giant, has been busy pushing bailouts in multiple venues with Illinois policymakers, while at the same time entering into a mega-merger with another Texas-based energy giant, Vistra Energy. This sale is estimated to add $1.7 billion to Dynegy’s
Dynegy’s Double-Bailout Read More »
By Mary VandervordPresident/CEO, HeartLands Conservancy What’s the mission of your organization?To sustain and enrich the diverse environmental resources of southwestern Illinois. To accomplish our mission HLC works with individuals, local governments, state and federal agencies, and other organizations on three priorities: conservation of open space, building greener communities, and engaging people with nature. Where in
Affiliate Feature: HeartLands Conservancy Read More »
AG Madigan, President Preckwinkle among award winners at the 2017 Environmental Leadership Dinner This past Wednesday, September 27th, IEC hosted our 2017 Environmental Leadership Dinner. We were thrilled to be joined by nearly 400 advocates, affiliates, and elected officials who support policies and programs that protect the environment and grow our clean energy economy. You
2017 Environmental Leadership Dinner in Review Read More »
By Colleen SmithLegislative Director, Illinois Environmental Council Many of the environmental community’s top legislative champions will not be returning to the Illinois General Assembly for another term. Just yesterday, we heard the devastating news that Majority Leader Barbara Flynn Currie, a winner of IEC’s lifetime achievement award for her environmental leadership, will not run for
Unprecedented number of retirements include many environmental champions Read More »
By Jennifer WallingExecutive Director, IEC Governor Rauner’s Illinois Department of Natural Resources recently increased the number of bobcat hunting permits from 500 to 1,000 for the upcoming season. The announcement of an increase in the number of permits was issued despite the fact that there is currently a bill sitting on the Governor’s desk that
Illinois Bobcat Hunting Program is Flawed Read More »
The Illinois General Assembly approved SB550, or the Preventing Lead in Drinking Water bill. Because there is no safe level of lead in drinking water, IEC has worked hard over the past year to pass legislation that would require basic steps to protect children from lead poisoning. This bill is now on the way to
Preventing Lead in Drinking Water Passes! Read More »
The proposed constitutional amendment could have unintended consequences for conservation in Illinois. You can read the Safe Roads Constitutional Amendment in its entirety here. This amendment to Illinois’ constitution purports to keep the gas tax in a “lockbox” that can only be used for transportation, and comes in response to significant sweeps from the road
How will the Safe Roads Constitutional Amendment affect conservation? Read More »
As an organization that has been working to solve the pollution crisis caused by concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) in Illinois for years, we applaud the Chicago Tribune’s recent in-depth investigative report on large hog confinements. Few could read this piece without gasping at the stories of environmental pollution, animal abuse, and destruction of rural
The High Cost of Cheap Meat Read More »
The Illinois House and Senate passed and the Governor signed a six month stop gap budget which ends December 31, 2016. While this is progress, passing a budget in the second half of FY17 will be difficult as the legislature will likely have to consider additional revenue. This budget covers many line items related to
Stop Gap Budget and the Environment Read More »
Well into the FY16 fiscal year, the state of Illinois still does not have a budget and the impasse is having a severe negative impact on conservation and environment programs. It’s hard to measure the full impacts these cuts, sweeps, and delays are having on the environment, economy, and quality of life of all Illinoisans,
Budget Impasse Devastating Environment and Conservation Programs Read More »
Legislation advanced to immediately sweep funding important to the environmental community SB274 Amendment #1 takes funding from numerous dedicated funds, including but not limited to: $37 million for OSLAD (Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development) Nearly $5 million from NAAF (Natural Areas Acquisition Fund) Over $1 million from the Partners for Conservation Fund $25.7 million
Oppose Sweeps to Energy and Conservation Read More »
Governor Rauner introduced his proposed FY16 budget on Wednesday during his budget address. This budget is $4.2 billion or 12% lower than FY15 and many agencies and programs will receive steep cuts. You can view the proposed budget here. We are still analyzing the budget, but a few items of note on a first review: DNR’s
Environmental Impacts of Budget Address Read More »
The environment is under assault by the General Assembly this week. There are a seemingly unprecedented number of anti-environment measures up for consideration this week. Here are the biggest threats we face this week and what you can do about them: Gutting of Illinois fracking law. On Friday, we sent you an action alert on
5 ways the GA is threatening the environment. Read More »
With the March Primary Election behind us, legislative proposals are starting to move through committee. Unfortunately, proposals only have until March 28 to get out of committee and there is so much that needs to get done this week. Bills that don’t get out of committee generally need a deadline extension or they will be
Everything you need to know about committee deadline week Read More »
520 E Capitol, Springfield, IL 62701 | Phone: 217-544-5954 | Email: iec@ilenviro.org
© 2024 Illinois Environmental Council
