Max Touchette

Illinois lawmakers consider banning plastic bags for large retailers

Jennifer Walling, executive director of the Illinois Environmental Council, has been working for more than 12 years on the bill to reduce the use of plastic bags. She believes this is the year it will make it across the finish line. “(Plastic bags) are a huge percentage of litter,” Walling said. “They clog infrastructure, they’re

Illinois lawmakers consider banning plastic bags for large retailers Read More »

Plastic is in your brain. Researchers and advocates still aren’t sure how that impacts health

Whether you’re a hot cup of tea and meditate kind of person or a toss the leftover pizza in the microwave kind of person, you probably ate plastic this morning. Tiny plastic particles called microplastics easily find their way into the things we eat and drink — and there’s little you can do to avoid

Plastic is in your brain. Researchers and advocates still aren’t sure how that impacts health Read More »

On Earth Day, EPA union workers decry cuts to clean air and water regulations

Fifty-five years after the first Earth Day, Environmental Protection Agency employees and advocates call for help as the Trump administration rolls back environmental regulations and lays off hundreds of workers. Earth Day was marked not with celebration but with a sense of urgency and despair for Environmental Protection Agency union members in Chicago as the

On Earth Day, EPA union workers decry cuts to clean air and water regulations Read More »

Concerns about CAFOs, local farmer Chad Wallace explains challenges of the agriculture industry

Chad Wallace is the director of rural affairs for the Illinois Environmental Council and a lifelong farmer. He spoke to Community Voices about the impact of Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) or factory farms. He explained what CAFOs are, their prevalence in Illinois and the concerns communities have about their environmental impact. Additionally, Chad shared

Concerns about CAFOs, local farmer Chad Wallace explains challenges of the agriculture industry Read More »

After groundbreaking bills on jobs and solar, Illinois tackles the grid

State lawmakers are pushing for more grid-enhancing tech, gigawatts of new energy storage, and the creation of a virtual power plant program.Since 2017, sweeping legislation in Illinois has sparked a solar power boom and launched ambitious energy equity and green jobs programs. Now, for the third time in under a decade, state lawmakers, advocates, and industry groups have their sights set

After groundbreaking bills on jobs and solar, Illinois tackles the grid Read More »

IL CAFOs on rise as industry remains underregulated

Illinois is known for having some of the weakest environmental laws for concentrated animal feeding operations, with a lack of oversight and public transparency for the entire process. A coalition of rural landowners is working to change it. In Illinois, it is estimated there are more than 21,000 concentrated animal feeding operations. Chad Wallace, director of rural affairs

IL CAFOs on rise as industry remains underregulated Read More »

City Club of Chicago: Navigating Change: The Local Impact of President Trump’s Early Days in Office

Join us for a panel discussion that will explore the impact of President Trump’s executive orders on key areas including LGBTQ+ rights, immigration, and environmental issues. Experts will analyze how these actions are affecting local residents, communities, and businesses, offering insights into the evolving legal, economic, and social implications. This panel will address the immediate

City Club of Chicago: Navigating Change: The Local Impact of President Trump’s Early Days in Office Read More »

What’s next for electric vehicles as Pritzker, Trump move in opposite directions on EV policy?

Illinois is offering buyers an incentive of $4,000 per vehicle. But at the federal level, the Trump administration is not a fan of EVs. GUESTS: Karen Weigert, Reset sustainability contributor, director of Loyola University Chicago’s Baumhart Center for Social Enterprise and Responsibility, and Dany Robles, legislative relations director, Illinois Environmental Council “We need a lot more

What’s next for electric vehicles as Pritzker, Trump move in opposite directions on EV policy? Read More »

Local environmental advocates remain hopeful despite Trump’s recent executive orders

Jen Walling, executive director of the Illinois Environmental Council, is one of those who has had an eye on the White House. “When we look at this administration’s view on climate change, we absolutely should be concerned,” Walling told WBBM. “There’s been a series of executive orders that have unwound the Inflation Reduction Act, investments

Local environmental advocates remain hopeful despite Trump’s recent executive orders Read More »

Chicago and Illinois Remain Committed to Achieving Climate Goals Despite Threats to Federal Funding

Environmental leaders believe grants and other sources of funding will allow them to continue cutting pollution, even if federal money isn’t available following the change in administration. Experts from the Illinois Environmental Council (IEC), a Springfield-based public policy organization, believe the state will still commit to climate initiatives such as renewable energy, although Chicago will

Chicago and Illinois Remain Committed to Achieving Climate Goals Despite Threats to Federal Funding Read More »

Lawmakers give small boost to renewable developments, delay broader reform

Energy policy likely to be revisited in spring legislative session. Lawmakers this week passed a bill aimed at boosting the development of renewable energy generation, but its proponents said the final measure was a “skinny” version of what they had hoped to pass. “We’ve seen the effects of climate change. We’ve seen the effects on

Lawmakers give small boost to renewable developments, delay broader reform Read More »

Pritzker EPA vows to step in as Trump calls for massive cuts to environmental protection

As the new top environment cop in Illinois, James Jennings knew coming in his job would be challenging no matter who won the presidential election. The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency is rebuilding under Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker after more than a decade spent shedding inspectors, slowing the policing of air and water pollution and feuding with the

Pritzker EPA vows to step in as Trump calls for massive cuts to environmental protection Read More »

Illinois confident it can continue clean energy progress under Trump, but path expected to be harder

The deep blue state is preparing to protect climate and clean energy programs during a Trump administration, but uncertainty about federal incentives and environmental enforcement leaves questions. The last time President Donald Trump took office, Illinois had just passed the Future Energy Jobs Act (FEJA), creating an ambitious renewable electricity mandate, solar incentive programs, green

Illinois confident it can continue clean energy progress under Trump, but path expected to be harder Read More »

Illinois environment and labor officials seek closer ties on climate action

Jennifer Walling runs an organization that speaks for over 100 environmental groups in Springfield. Marc Poulos is a political quarterback for organized labor. “I feel like we both understand that we’re going to get more done if we’re aligned,” said Walling, executive director of the Illinois Environmental Council. “We may as well be on the

Illinois environment and labor officials seek closer ties on climate action Read More »

Future of green incentives under Trump

Electric vehicle buying is expected to rise this winter as consumers look to take advantage of the $7,500 tax credit that President-elect Trump has threatened to repeal. Why it matters: EV tax credits represent just one of the green incentives introduced under President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act that could be removed under Trump. The big picture: “Illinois has received

Future of green incentives under Trump Read More »

Illinois climate activists say Trump’s win is a blow to climate action

Jen Walling with the Illinois Environmental Council (IEC) said Trump’s win is a blow to climate action. “I definitely think that a national administration that doesn’t support what we’re doing is going to make our work harder.” She says IEC will have to prioritize issues most at risk, one of those being clean water. “There

Illinois climate activists say Trump’s win is a blow to climate action Read More »

Shoreline Advisory Board aims to protect Chicago’s lakefront

The newly-formed Shoreline Advisory Board aims to protect Chicago’s majestic lakefront from erosion and other climate hazards. NBC Chicago’s Kate Chappell reports with Iyana Simba of IEC. The newly formed Chicago Shoreline Advisory Board is responsible for reviewing shoreline conservation management plans, facilitating public education, researching, assessing, and advising on plans to protect the shoreline,

Shoreline Advisory Board aims to protect Chicago’s lakefront Read More »