Development Internship
The Illinois Environmental Council Education Fund (IECEF) is looking for a Development Intern to join our amazing team.
Clean Water Internship
The Illinois Environmental Council Education Fund (IECEF) is looking for a Clean Water Intern to join our amazing team.
Social Media Internship
The Illinois Environmental Council Education Fund (IECEF) is looking for a Social Media Intern to join our amazing team.
Clean Energy Internship
The Illinois Environmental Council Education Fund (IECEF) is looking for two Clean Energy Interns to join our amazing team.
Agriculture and Environmental Experts Comment on Release of Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Report, Call for Greater Accountability and Leadership to Protect Health of Lands and Waters
Springfield, IL (December 1, 2023) — Experts from five organizations representing agriculture, environmental policy, and conservation across Illinois released statements on the recent Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy (NLRS) biennial report, developed by the Illinois Department of Agriculture and Illinois Environmental Protection Agency. While the point-source sector, primarily sewage treatment facilities, continues to progress in reducing …
Space to Grow: Greening Chicago One Playground At A Time
As the climate crisis looms and the unending pace of development threatens natural spaces across the country, it is imperative that green initiatives are advanced and that the benefits of those initiatives are shared among those who are already experiencing the impacts of the climate crisis.
Taking Flight: The Story Behind Illinois’ Long Awaited Monarch License Plates
Here’s some conservation news years in the making: in 2016, Illinois passed a law greenlighting a monarch license plate decal which would generate funding for pollinator habitat in IL. A few years, and 2,000 pledges from enviros later and the Decal is finally here!
Out of Office: Looking Back on the 2023 Legislative Tour Season
Our 2023 Legislative Tour season has come to an end, which means it’s time to take a look back on all the amazing places we took legislators and other key decision-makers to over the past few months.
Chicago City Council Takes Historic Vote to Re-establish the City’s Department of Environment After its Dissolution Over a Decade Ago
CHICAGO, IL – After over a decade without one, Chicago’s City Council today made the historic move to re-establish the city’s Department of Environment (DOE). With the passage of the 2024 Chicago Budget, the City Council voted to allocate $1.8 mil to re-establish the Department. The Illinois Environmental Council’s (IEC) City Programs Director Iyana Simba …
Trust the Land: Looking at the Impacts of the Natural Areas Stewardship Act
The Natural Areas Stewardship Act allows IDNR to award grants to conservationists like land trusts. Now, over 5 years into the law, take a look back at the impacts of this bill with IEC’s Conservation Director Lindsay Keeney— the wins, progress made and the work that couldn’t have been done without it.
A Closer Look: Mayor Johnson’s FY2024 Chicago City Budget
IEC’s City Programs Director, Iyana Simba, provides an in depth analysis of Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s proposed budget for 2024, including the re-establishment of Chicago’s Department of Environment.
2023 Sustainable Agriculture Town Hall
Register via Zoom using the form below Click here if form fails to load.
2023 Clean Energy Town Hall
Register via Zoom using the form below Click here if form fails to load.
2023 Transportation Town Hall
Register via Zoom using the form below. Click here if form fails to load.
Moratorium on New Nuclear Remains in Place in Illinois Thanks to Governor Pritzker’s Veto
Illinois — Today, Governor JB Pritzker vetoed SB76—a bill that would have lifted Illinois’ decades-old moratorium on new nuclear power plants. Responding to growing concerns about safety, waste and cost associated with nuclear power generation, the Illinois General Assembly passed a moratorium on developing new nuclear facilities within the state in 1987. Those concerns remain …
2023 Chicago Transition Report Analysis
IEC’s City Programs Director, Iyana Simba, provides an in depth analysis of Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s Transition Report, with attention to Environmental Justice goals for the city.
Environmental Advocates Applaud Illinois General Assembly’s Efforts to Reduce Plastic Pollution
As global plastic treaty negotiations conclude, stakeholders from the Alliance for the Great Lakes, Ocean Conservancy, and Illinois Environmental Council celebrate local action on plastic pollution in Illinois, look to continue momentum.
2023 Environmental Legislative Update, May 27
Important deadlines this week and big updates on priority bills
Advocates Praise Senate Bill 1701 Passage as Critical Step Forward for Illinois Soil and Water Health
SPRINGFIELD, IL – The passage of Senate Bill 1701 advances agriculture conservation in Illinois by supporting farming practices that will yield healthier, stronger soils and cleaner water across the state, advocates said today. Legislators approved Senate Bill 1701 as part of the final days of the spring legislative session in Springfield. It now goes to …
Illinois General Assembly Passes Bill to Reduce Plastic Waste and Expand Access to Clean Drinking Water
SPRINGFIELD, IL – The Illinois General Assembly passed legislation this week to reduce plastic pollution and promote access to clean drinking water. Once signed by Governor Pritzker, SB1715 will require that, in settings where the plumbing code already calls for drinking fountains, the installation of new drinking fountains must include a water bottle filling station. …
Breaking Free from Foam: How Illinois and Chicago Can Reduce Plastic Waste
Illinois needs to break up with plastic. For decades, we’ve known that single-use plastic items, including polystyrene foam cups, plates, and containers are among the most common and harmful forms of pollution found in the environment. So, what are Illinois’ plans to eliminate outdated foam foodware?
A Southeast Side Story: A Closer look at Environmental Justice, Resistance and Sustainability on the East Side
Illinois is home to a diverse range of natural landscapes: from native prairie lands to forest preserves and state parks to marshes, rivers, and other iconic waterways. A large part of IEC’s mission is preserving these natural spaces and building healthy environments for the communities who call them home; however, this mission cannot be approached in the same exact way for each and every community across the state.
2022 Legislative Tours: Legislators in the Wild
In June 2019, I wrote a blog post introducing readers to one of the Illinois Environmental Council’s most successful programs, legislative tours. Since then, we’ve conducted dozens of informative “tours” with legislators and local officials, taking them out of their office buildings and into the natural areas we need their help to protect.
Leaving a Sustainable Legacy for Generations to Come When We Die
End of life planning is not the most exciting subject for many people. Folks tend to avoid it whenever they can! But not having the conversation means people are unaware of their potential opportunities.
What’s in Chicago’s proposed 2023 Budget?
Mayor Lori Lightfoot proposed her $16.7 billion FY2023 budget with a heavy focus on pensions, public safety, and reducing the city’s debt. Additionally, the Mayor announced the Office of Climate and Environmental Equity which will be funded at $640,056 for six positions.
Only Two States Have Passed ‘Right to Garden’ Laws. Will Others Follow?
In 2018, a friend who owned a nearby garden store connected Virgil with a state senator. That introduction planted a seed of an idea: what about a bill at the state level to protect home gardeners in Illinois? To begin exploring that concept, Virgil started working with organizations including the Illinois Environmental Council, the Citizen Advocacy Center, …
Only Two States Have Passed ‘Right to Garden’ Laws. Will Others Follow? Read More »
Climate cash coming to Illinois
“This week President Biden is expected to sign the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), which includes an unprecedented $370 billion for climate change mitigation. Why it matters: Much of the climate money is directed at getting folks like us to switch to more sustainable sources of energy for our homes and transportation. When it comes to Illinois-level effects, many details still …
‘A year head start’: How advocates say Illinois is in a good position for federal climate spending
Rather than each state receiving a formula-driven amount of funds — much like how last year’s major infrastructure law operates — the states that will benefit from the “first come, first served” nature of this legislation are the ones that reach out and apply for grants, participate in programs and take advantage of the tax …
Greenhouse Rebellion with Brian Gill
Brian is the Federal Policy Director for the Illinois Environmental Council. He’s just the person to talk to about how Illinois might benefit. Before the interview, I shared an update about the Shawnee National Park progress. Also, this show was recorded on the eve of a super moon while the earth was spending faster. It’s …
What does the Inflation Reduction Act do for Illinois?
This investment is part of the $369 billion in clean energy investments, said Jennifer Walling, executive director at the Illinois Environmental Council. For the state, it could both maintain and attract new workers, she said. “This bill will supercharge what we’ve done to create equitable jobs and tackle the climate crisis here in the state,” …
What does the Inflation Reduction Act do for Illinois? Read More »
Watch IEC Federal Policy Director, Brian Gill, on Chicago Tonight
“Could Indiana’s business loss be Illinois’ gain? Plus, the outgoing local head of the FBI, a local congressman just back from a controversial visit to Taiwan and unpacking the major climate bill passed by the Senate.” Watch the full interview here.
Enact historic bill to fight climate change to benefit America — and Illinois
Last year, Illinois enacted the Climate & Equitable Jobs Act, which set the goal of 100% carbon-free power by 2045 and 100% clean energy by 2050. Because Illinois passed the law last year and has been thinking about it for several years, it has projects on tap that are more than shovel-ready and primed for …
Enact historic bill to fight climate change to benefit America — and Illinois Read More »
IEC Statement in Response to Leader Schumer and Sen. Manchin’s Agreement on Reconciliation Bill with Climate Provisions
CHICAGO – In response to Majority Leader Schumer and Senator Manchin’s announcements of an agreement to add the ‘Inflation Reduction Act of 2022,’ which reportedly will reduce carbon emissions by close to 40 percent by 2030, to the reconciliation bill, the Illinois Environmental Council (IEC) issued the following statement from Executive Director Jen Walling: “We …
Rescue our beloved and endangered monarch butterflies
“The loss of food sources, the loss of habitat and pesticides are a triple threat for monarchs,” Jennifer Walling, executive director of the Illinois Environmental Council, told us. Because Illinois is an important state for migrating monarchs, “Illinois should do more than the federal government,” Walling said. The number of Eastern monarchs, the ones you …
Rescue our beloved and endangered monarch butterflies Read More »
Chicago Releases First City Plan in More Than 50 Years
Iyana Simba, city programs director with the Illinois Environmental Council was the co-chair of environment, climate and energy for We Will Chicago. She said the plan recognizes a disinvestment in equitable policy and how that translates to health impacts, like the impact of industry and pollution, especially on Black, Latino and low-income communities. “We really [honed] in …
Chicago Releases First City Plan in More Than 50 Years Read More »
Why state parks will stop offering plastic flatware and cups
Jen Walling, executive director of the Illinois Environmental Council, said that though the new law is just one step forward, it’s an important one. “It’s definitely not enough. It’s not the end, but I think it’s a pilot in the most sensitive areas,” Walling said. “Our state parks are where we really don’t want plastic …
Why state parks will stop offering plastic flatware and cups Read More »
Reaction to SCOTUS EPA Decision
One of the 18 decisions released by the US Supreme Court in June 2022: West Virginia vs. Environmental Protection Agency. The Supreme Court ruled in favor of West Virginia, limiting the EPA of its power to regulate carbon emissions from existing power plants. The ruling raises more questions than answers about the future of the …
Illinois leads on climate action
“While CEJA shoots for a 46% reduction in statewide emissions from 2005 levels by 2030, the RMI modeling estimates the state is on track to achieve just about 22%. What they’re saying: “The scorecard … reminds us of the importance of emissions limits and holding industry accountable,” Samira Hanessian of the Illinois Environmental Council, which pushed …
EXPLAINER: Why Court’s EPA-Climate Change Ruling Matters
Jeffrey Trevino, an EPA lawyer and Steward of the AFGE Local 704 — that’s the union that represents local EPA Workers; Phillip Braun, a Clinical Professor of Finance at the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University; James Taylor, President of the Heartland Institute, and Jennifer Walling, the Executive Director of the Illinois Environmental Council …
EXPLAINER: Why Court’s EPA-Climate Change Ruling Matters Read More »
IEC Statement Regarding SCOTUS Decision on West Virginia v. Environmental Protection Agency
The Supreme Court put profits before people. Illinois must quickly implement CEJA to cut costs, create jobs, and protect our communities.
IEC’s Statement on The Supreme Court’s Dobbs v. Jackson Decision
IEC stands today in frustration, sadness and solidarity with all Americans who need accessible abortion healthcare. One of the core goals of our work as an organization is to build power for Illinois’ people and environment, however, today’s US Supreme Court decision comes as a clear obstruction to that work. Reproductive Justice, like many other …
IEC’s Statement on The Supreme Court’s Dobbs v. Jackson Decision Read More »
A Closer Look at Chicago’s Climate Action Plan
On the heels of the release of Chicago’s Climate Action Plan, IEC will break down what’s in the plan, what’s not and what more needs to be done.
2022 Environmental Scorecard
IEC is back with our 2022 Environmental Scorecard for the Illinois General Assembly. Scores are based on the environmental impact of their voting record over the last legislative session. We hope this will be a useful resource and allow you to see whether your legislators have used their power in the General Assembly to protect …
2022 Legislative Report
The Illinois Environmental Council releases a report on the 2022 legislative session, highlighting some wins as well as the fights we’ll continue to work on in the next one. Click here if the report fails to load.
IEC’s Statement on Uvalde & Gun Violence
Chicago, IL – Jen Walling, Executive Director of the Illinois Environmental Council released the following statement on the tragedy in Uvalde, TX: “It is beyond time for meaningful gun control reform. What happened yesterday has happened before and will again if obstructionists in power do nothing. It’s clear to me that our vision for a safe …