Dany started as the Illinois Environmental Council’s Legislative Relations Director in the Spring of 2024, previously serving as IEC’s Climate Policy Director and Chicago Energy Policy Coordinator. In this role, Dany serves as IEC’s point of contact for Illinois decision-makers while also leading the organization’s work on green workforce and sustainable transportation issues. Additionally, he
Francisco Lopez Zavala started as the Illinois Environmental Council’s (IEC) Climate Policy Program Associate in the Summer of 2024, having previously served as IEC’s Climate Policy Intern in the Spring of 2024. In their current position, Francisco is responsible for assisting with climate policy education and workforce development initiatives, as well as leading the Jobs
Francisco Lopez Zavala Read More »
Lindsay Keeney has served as the Conservation Director for the Illinois Environmental Council since 2017, where she serves as lead staff on IEC’s conservation, open space, and river issues. In addition, she supports IEC’s sustainable agriculture and local food programming. Lindsay believes that getting our decision-makers out of their offices and into the field where
Samira joined the Illinois Environmental Council as the Energy Policy Director in the Spring of 2022, where she serves as IEC’s staff lead on energy, power sector, and decarbonization issues, as well as the implementation of the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act. In addition, she supports IEC’s zero-waste and water programming. Samira holds various appointments
Stephanie Blumenthal joined the Illinois Environmental Council as Climate Policy Manager in spring 2024. In this position, she serves as the campaign coordinator for the Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition’s (ICJC) building decarbonization work. Through this role she organizes and facilitates coalition meetings, works with sub groups on engaging the legislature, municipal governments, grassroots organizations, and the
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Chelsea Biggs joined the Illinois Environmental Council as Chief of Staff in Fall 2023. In this role, she leads the programs and legislative teams and oversees the affiliate engagement strategy. Chelsea supports the organization’s internal structures during this extraordinary period of growth, ensuring smooth staff function across departments and effective communication within the organization. Prior
Blake Andonov joined the Illinois Environmental Council in the Spring of 2023 as the Government Affairs Assistant. Prior to joining IEC, Blake worked in the Clerk’s Office for the Illinois House of Representatives as the Information Resource Clerk, gaining key experience interfacing with legislators directly on the House Floor and in committees. Blake valued the
Jen Walling has led the Illinois Environmental Council since January 2011, where she oversees the strategic direction and management of the organization and lobbies decision-makers on environmental issues. Jen is dedicated to building the power of Illinois’ environmental community to secure policy outcomes that protect the environment. In 2025, Jen was promoted from executive director
Read the 2023 IEC and IECEF Annual Report to learn more about the state of our organizations and the progress we made in 2023.
2023 Annual Report Read More »
President Biden should designate the site of the 1908 Springfield Race Massacre in Illinois’ capital with a National Monument.
Facing Our Past to Change Our Future Read More »
After seven years in the making, the state has unveiled the monarch butterfly decal license plate. Proceeds from the decals will benefit the Illinois Department of Natural Resources’ Monarch Habitat Fund, which fosters habitats that support the beloved orange butterflies’ migratory journey south to Mexico each fall. The organization has a goal of adding 150
Monarch butterfly license plates finally available in Illinois Read More »
The decisions underscore the governor’s commitment to “choose climate action, every time.” Environmental groups in Illinois are commending Gov. JB Pritzker for vetoing bills this month that would have expanded nuclear power, given a utility first dibs on new transmission line projects and advanced a controversial highway expansion project. This comes after little luck passing
Illinois Environmental Groups Applaud Vetoes by Pritzker Read More »
State Rep. Bob Rita has a new solution in Illinois law for anyone interested in fishing across the state but not so sure about paying the license fee. Rita, D-Blue Island, this year led the push for House Bill 2317. The bill significantly reduces the license fee for sport fishing or spearing for anyone 26 years
Rep. Rita’s Legislation to Reduce Fishing License Fees Becomes Law Read More »
Across the country, marshes, swamps and bogs quietly soak up flood water and filter pollutants. Ecologists agree they are one of the best natural defenses against climate change. But after a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling, more than half of the country’s 118 million acres of wetlands, according to estimates from the environmental firm Earthjustice, will
The Supreme Court last week restricted the EPA’s ability to protect America’s waterways and wetlands. Illinois can’t afford to sit back and do nothing to protect both in our state, the head of the Illinois Environmental Council writes. Gov. J.B. Pritzker, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and the Illinois Legislature must act immediately to
Joining “Latino Voices” to discuss the proposed expansion are José Miguel Acosta Córdova, senior transportation policy analyst at the Little Village Environmental Justice Organization; Dany Robles, climate policy director at the Illinois Environmental Council; and Kate Lowe, associate professor of urban planning and policy at the University of Illinois Chicago. (Produced by Eunice Alpasan). Bills and
IL Environmental Council has tips on how to spot greenwashing More and more people want to be good stewards of the earth by being green and more sustainable. But despite their best efforts to research and stay informed, it’s easy to fall victim to something called greenwashing. “It’s essentially a marketing ploy by corporations and
Greenwashing: Avoid falling victim to misleading marketing claims of eco-friendliness Read More »
Several pieces of environmental legislation are making their way through the Illinois General Assembly on what was scheduled to be the final week of the spring legislative session. The proposals range from shifting the state’s procurement requirements to a measure aimed at improving soil health on Illinois farms. But environmental advocates gave mixed reviews on
Lead removal experts have long believed Illinois had the nation’s biggest network of lead water lines. But last month an Environmental Protection Agency report suggested that Florida’s inventory of lead lines (an estimated 1.16 million) exceeds our 1.04 million lines. Illinois Environmental Council’s Iyana Simba and others find that ranking dubious. Simba tells Axios there are hundreds of thousands
Illinois may harbor second-worst lead problem in U.S. Read More »
As Illinois considers ways to achieve its goal of relying entirely on clean energy by 2050, one technology that has courted controversy is carbon capture. Carbon capture is a method whereby carbon dioxide, a common greenhouse gas, is placed in long-term storage, usually by injection into wells in geologic formations thousands of feet underground. These
Carbon capture technology draws the attention of lawmakers, environmental advocates Read More »
Hundreds of environmental activists rallied at the Illinois State Capitol, urging legislators to support bills that advance environmental justice and protection and that address climate change. Advocates also delivered a letter to the governor’s office demanding tighter vehicle emissions rules. Dany Robles, climate policy director at the Illinois Environmental Council, said he’s noticed more environmental
