This Lunch & Learn explores the state of transportation in Illinois and opportunities to clean up our transportation sector. Presenters: Tom Kotarac, Civic Committee of the Commercial Club of Chicago Audrey Wennink, Metropolitan Planning Council Jacky Grimshaw, Center for Neighborhood Technology Mayor Chris Koos of Normal, IL
CHICAGO (Sept. 13, 2021) — Today, the Illinois Environmental Council (IEC) issued the following statement on the passage of the Native Plants Gardens Registry Ordinance (O2021-362) during today’s Chicago City Council Committee on Environmental Protection and Energy meeting: “Today, the City moved an important step closer to cultivating native plants and sustainable landscapes for Chicagoans …
Statement Celebrating the Committee Passage of the Native Gardens Registry Ordinance Read More »
SPRINGFIELD, IL (September 13, 2021) – Following is a statement from the Illinois Environmental Council (IEC) Executive Director Jen Walling on today’s historic Senate vote on SB2408, the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act: “This is a story about the power of people and the environmental movement in Illinois standing up to big fossil fuel and …
Springfield, IL (September 9, 2021) — The Illinois Environmental Council Executive Director Jen Walling issued the following statement on the House passage of the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act SB2408: “We are closer than ever before to passing the nation’s most comprehensive, equitable climate bill. The passage of SB2408 today in the House of Representatives …
2020 Annual Report Introduction 2021 Policy Platform Board & Staff Highlights Finances Donors From the Executive Director Dear Supporter, I’m sure you’ve heard this a hundred times before, but 2020 was indeed a year like no other. For an organization like IEC that thrives on the pace of Illinois’ General Assembly and scoring big policy …
New law requires replacement of lead lines, prompts calls for federal funds from Congress CHICAGO (August 30, 2021) – Gov. JB Pritzker signed into law the Lead Service Line Replacement and Notification Act, making Illinois the third state in the nation to require full replacement of lead drinking water pipes, which can deliver toxic lead …
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker Signs Bill to Replace Toxic Lead Service Lines Read More »
Not only does Illinois have one-eighth of the lead service lines in the country, but 300,000 to 500,000 of them are in Chicago, according to the Illinois Environmental Council. “Although this is a statewide problem, we know that this toxic infrastructure disproportionately affects Illinois’ people of color,” Robinson said. “Everyone deserves to have clean drinking …
Don’t wait on leadership to act on climate– here are some simple ways to start decarbonizing your own home!
Does MAGA really believe the stupid things it says? Or is it just trolling liberals? And is MAGA an it? Ben discusses. Jen Walling from the Illinois Environmental Council returns to discuss the Clean Energy Bill. Also, Terry Cosgrove of Personal PAC, on why he says Roe is gone. And what Democrats can do about …
The Ben Joravsky Show – “Troll Country” with Jen Walling & Terry Cosgrove Read More »
“The benefits of this legislation go far beyond any single rooftop,” states Colleen Smith, deputy director of the Illinois Environmental Council. “We can make meaningful progress on carbon reduction and reaching our climate goals by getting everyone involved, and breaking down barriers to solar will lead to cleaner air, healthier residents and more vibrant local economies.” …
New Law Protects Illinois Homeowners’ Access to Solar Read More »
IEC is pleased to release our 2021 Legislative Report. We are proud to report that we advanced a broad and ambitious agenda, defeated potentially damaging legislation and secured important appropriations in the state budget.
Gov. Pritzker’s signature provides needed protections against solar access restrictions. SPRINGFIELD, IL (July 28, 2021) — Gov. JB Pritzker signed legislation protecting Illinoisans’ right to clean energy and access to solar power. A revision to the Homeowners’ Energy Policy Statement Act, HB 644 will guarantee homeowners’ rights to place solar on their home without major …
“Northbrook resident Rod Burton, professor emeritus of aerospace engineering at the University of Illinois, said there was no mention of nuclear power, a fuel source he said provides 66% of electricity in Illinois, with sustainable sources contributing 17%. (The Illinois Environmental Council said as of March 2019 Illinois nuclear comprised a national high of 54%, 10% renewable …
Northbrook board takes further steps toward sustainability Read More »
It’s been a busy year for team IEC, so we’ve put together a quick roundup of some of the work that we’ve been doing so far in Springfield, Chicago and now at the federal level in D.C. too! Check out some of our recent wins, and the ongoing work we’re engaged in building power for …
“’Greenhouse gas emissions in Illinois is from transportation. And the distance between where food is grown, and where it winds up being consumed, is an environmental concern if those distances are pretty great. And right now, they usually are,’ said Eliot Clay of the Illinois Environmental Council. He said supporting cottage food bakers helps create …
“With 400,000 lead service lines lurking beneath Chicago homes, the city faces the worst documented lead line problem in the nation. But a new law passed last month makes Illinois one of just two states in the country, along with Michigan, that will now mandate full replacement of all the lead service lines.” Read the …
Illinois Has A New Law To Remove Lead Pipes. So Now What Happens? Read More »
Lawmakers could provide $700 million over five years for Exelon nuclear plants in Byron, Morris, and Braidwood. The Illinois Environmental Council says the plan can support workers at those plants and secure reliable, carbon-free electricity without an unjustified bailout. IEC Executive Director Jennifer Walling explained Exelon would receive $5 billion less than what the utility …
Illinois could close all coal plants by 2035 under proposal up for vote this week Read More »
“Mike Stephen talks to freelance reporter Michael Murney about his piece that covers the Chicago Police Department’s Private Sector Camera Initiative, gets an update on Illinois’ environmental policy from Jen Walling of the Illinois Environmental Council, and learns about public participation in drawing Chicago ward maps from Adam Alonso, CEO of BUILD. And in the …
Chicago’s surveillance network, IL environment policy, drawing the new ward map Read More »
“‘Energy legislation is incredibly complicated,’ said Deputy Director of the Illinois Environmental Council Colleen Smith. ‘Unfortunately, I think we just ran out of time.’ With so many jobs and the climate itself on the line, lawmakers are headed back to Springfield next week to finally get a bill passed.” Read the full article here.
The Illinois Environmental Council Releases First Chicago City Council Scorecard, Recognizes Green Champions at Mid-term (CHICAGO) – Today, the Illinois Environmental Council (IEC) released its inaugural Chicago City Council Environmental Scorecard, which scores each sitting Chicago City Council alderperson based on the environmental impact of their voting record over the last two years. For over …
Chicago Alderpersons Earning Top Marks on Inaugural Environmental Scorecard Announced Read More »
For the first time, IEC has released an Environmental Scorecard for the Chicago City Council, debuting each sitting City Council alderperson’s average environmental score. Scores are based on the environmental impact of their voting record over the last two years. That means, for the first time, you can see whether your alderperson has used their power …
https://youtu.be/K4uCDVIJDe4 This Lunch & Learn serves as a crash course on energy policy in Illinois. Presenters: Cary Shepherd, Bluhm Legal Clinic at Northwestern School of Law Nancy Loeb, Director, Environmental Advocacy Clinic at Bluhm Legal Clinic
“Jennifer Walling, executive director of the Illinois Environmental Council, Mark Denzler, president and CEO of the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association, Jack Darin, director of the Sierra Club’s Illinois chapter, and Delmar Gillus, chief operating officer at Elevate Energy, join Phil Ponce to discuss the prospects for a bill that would transform energy production in the state.” …
Clean Energy Bill Stalls, But Supporters Still Optimistic for Passage Read More »
See the top environmental bills being considered by the Illinois General Assembly this year.
Bill requires replacement of lead lines, and establishes state grant and technical assistance program to support communities in this effort (SPRINGFIELD, IL) –Following a concurring House vote late last night in favor of the Lead Service Line Replacement and Notification Act (HB 3739), both chambers of the Illinois General Assembly have approved the bill, which …
Illinois General Assembly Approves Bill That Will Eliminate Toxic Lead Service Lines Read More »
“The cover crop pilot program is widely popular and has been an overwhelming success, but it needs to be extended and expanded. This year, the program ran out of funds after only 12 hours, and the program only has enough funding to support farmers on 50,000 acres (less than 2 percent of Illinois’ farmland). That …
Eliot Clay, Guest Columnist: Conservation programs combat effects of climate change Read More »
“The cover crop pilot program is widely popular and has been an overwhelming success, but it needs to be extended and expanded. This year, the program ran out of funds after only 12 hours, and the program only has enough funding to support farmers on 50,000 acres (less than 2 percent of Illinois’ farmland). That …
Eliot Clay, Guest Columnist: Conservation programs combat effects of climate change Read More »
Bill would protect environmental justice communities from further industrial pollution (SPRINGFIELD, IL) – The Chicago Environmental Justice Network and the Pritzker administration today reaffirmed their commitment to community-based environmental justice efforts. HB4093, introduced by Rep. Sonya Harper, creates an enhanced community engagement process when considering permits for new, large air pollution sources in environmental justice …
This Lunch & Learn serves as a crash course on Chicago’s City Council and city government. Presenter: Tiffany Sanders-Sostrin, Director of Legislative & Community Affairs at the Chicago Park District.
“‘Being able to pass clean energy legislation was conditioned by the speaker to reach agreement with ComEd and Exelon and labor,’ said Jen Walling, executive director of the Illinois Environmental Council, which led the push for renewable energy provisions. Walling, whose group represents more than 90 environmental and community groups in Illinois, said Madigan’s stance …
Illinois was going to be one of the greenest states. It hasn’t worked out that way. Read More »
“The Illinois Environmental Council started working on this legislation in 2017. Deputy Director Colleen Smith explained this is the closest lawmakers and advocates have gotten to having the measure reach the governor’s desk. ‘Illinois has an opportunity today with House Bill 3739 to take action and comprehensively address this issue,’ Smith said. ‘We urge the …
Lawmakers, advocates continue push for removal of lead services lines in Illinois Read More »
“‘Even though we say there are around 680 thousand lead service lines in Illinois, there could be much more than that, and there are communities that aren’t aware their own lead service line could be disrupted and cause issues for them and their family,’ Colleen Smith with the Illinois Environmental Council said. Degrading lead pipes …
“If states that comprise more than half of the nation’s population were all to adopt California’s emission standards, automakers would have a strong incentive to design and manufacture more zero-emission cars and fewer gas-guzzling autos with internal combustion engines. If Minnesota and New Mexico, which are going through a rule-making process to adopt the standards, …
To encourage more electric vehicles, Illinois should adopt California emission standards Read More »
“The Illinois Environmental Council welcomes the announcement from Governor Pritzker and the IEPA that they intend to revise the state’s VW settlement spending plan after seeking public input. Despite the transportation sector being the leading source of carbon emissions in Illinois, the previous administration left Illinois with a plan that would have spent millions on …
State Announces New Spending Plan After Volkswagen Settlement Read More »
“This year in Springfield, lawmakers are advancing at least six different bills aimed at making the state’s energy industry more green. The Clean Energy Jobs Act aims to make Illinois 100 percent reliant on clean and renewable energy by 2050. The Path To 100 is a similar plan and supporters say it would create more than 53,000 …
“The Illinois Environmental Council estimates the state accounts for an eighth of all lead service lines in the country. ‘It is a significant problem in every part of the state, from rural to urban,’ Illinois Environmental Council Deputy Director Colleen Smith said.” Read the full article here.
Virtual Lobby Day made it onto TV! Watch WAND17’s clip on lobby day here.
“‘What we’ve seen over the last two months is a weakening of an ordinance that, to begin with, was never developed with very meaningful input from most impacted communities,’ said Colleen Smith, deputy director of the Illinois Environmental Council. ‘We’re really relying on agencies that have failed in some of these decisions historically … to …
“‘I think it could be harmful to pass something that seems like reform but it really isn’t,’ Ald. Maria Hadden (49th) said. Hadden, who voted against the measure, noted that environmental groups had soured on the mayor’s proposal. ‘Instead of developing a comprehensive air quality ordinance that seeks to truly address zoning’s impacts on communities …
Air polluters would face more scrutiny under ordinance approved by Council committee Read More »
New Native Garden Registry to Curb Discriminatory Crackdown, Protect the Environment CHICAGO — Today, advocates joined Alderman Brian Hopkins (2nd Ward-Chicago) and a dozen other aldermen to introduce the Native Plants Gardens Registry Ordinance (O2021-362) for consideration by the Chicago City Council. The proposal would create a new Managed Native Garden Registry, protecting citizens who …
Chicago City Council to Take Up Native Gardens Protections Read More »
“Elated environmentalists had a lot to say after President Joe Biden unveiled the environmental executive orders he signed on Wednesday. ‘Huge.’ ‘Amazing.’ ‘Exciting.’ ‘A whole new day in every way.’ ‘So great.’ ‘A historic commitment.’ ‘Super exciting.’ ‘Thrilled.’ ‘This is definitely the biggest day for climate action in 10 years,’ Jennifer Walling, executive director for …
A Lunch & Learn panel on socially responsible investing. Our talented panelists cover the basics of investing with the environment in mind, provide tips to look at your own investments, and share insight into what government can do to make more sustainable investments. Presenters: Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs Amanda Hanley, Climate Solutions Funder Sylvia …
It comes as clean energy advocates are also pressing for a massive energy package to prop up renewable energy. The Illinois Environmental Council’s Jennifer Walling says that would help to address the multifold crises of the ComEd corruption issues, climate change, high unemployment and a cliff for jobs in the solar industry giving funding gaps …
New Report Examines Law at Center of ComEd Bribery Scheme Read More »
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