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Clean Energy Bill Stalls, But Supporters Still Optimistic for Passage

“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 »

Illinois General Assembly Approves Bill That Will Eliminate Toxic Lead Service Lines

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

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Eliot Clay, Guest Columnist: Conservation programs combat effects of climate change

“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

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Eliot Clay, Guest Columnist: Conservation programs combat effects of climate change

“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 »

Chicago Environmental Justice Network Puts Forward Proposal to Address Cumulative Pollution Impact on Environmental Justice Communities

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

Chicago Environmental Justice Network Puts Forward Proposal to Address Cumulative Pollution Impact on Environmental Justice Communities Read More »

Illinois was going to be one of the greenest states. It hasn’t worked out that way.

“‘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 »

Lawmakers, advocates continue push for removal of lead services lines in Illinois

“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 »

To encourage more electric vehicles, Illinois should adopt California emission standards

“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,

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State Announces New Spending Plan After Volkswagen Settlement

“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

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The Future of Renewable Energy

“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 Future of Renewable Energy Read More »

‘Weakened’ Clear Air Ordinance For Heavy Polluters Moves Forward — With No Support From Environmental Groups

“‘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

‘Weakened’ Clear Air Ordinance For Heavy Polluters Moves Forward — With No Support From Environmental Groups Read More »

Air polluters would face more scrutiny under ordinance approved by Council committee

“‘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

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Chicago City Council to Take Up Native Gardens Protections

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

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‘Huge.’ ‘Amazing.’ As Biden delivers ambitious plan for environment, Illinois should join in

“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

‘Huge.’ ‘Amazing.’ As Biden delivers ambitious plan for environment, Illinois should join in Read More »

Align Your Investing with Your Values

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

Align Your Investing with Your Values Read More »

Op-ed: Investing in a safer world: international conservation programs and COVID-19

The Illinois Environmental Council works across our state to promote land protection and restoration, supporting local governments to combat the effects of environmental degradation and protect our open spaces. Across the United States, the work of like minded organizations has helped our country chart a more sustainable path to growth, supporting the long-term survival of

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Transportation Advocates Seek Guarantee Transit Won’t Shut Down In Event of Post-Election Unrest

“Black and Brown communities are disproportionately reliant on public transportation, specifically buses, and so are disproportionately harmed when service is abruptly changed or stopped without warning,” the petition reads. “Shutting down transportation is not the solution and creates undue hardships, especially for essential workers and Black and Brown Chicago residents. Transit is a public good and

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Lakeshore Erosion

https://youtu.be/PH_nsZJ0HT4 As part of Chicago Water Week, please join IEC and our panel of experts to discuss shoreline erosion in the Great Lakes. Recently, Great Lake water levels have been historically high, threatening beaches, homes, businesses and infrastructure along the shores. Solutions like the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative have supported shoreline restoration jetports but there are also international and

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Piping Plovers

https://youtu.be/iP5sn2tfsrU A discussion on the recent nesting success of Monty and Rose, the now famous Chicago Piping Plover power couple. We’ll cover some natural history about Piping Plovers and why they are listed as endangered in the Great Lakes region. One part of this pair’s success has been the huge volunteer effort headed by the

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Black in National Parks: How Black People & POC Are Underrepresented in the Outdoors

“The 21st was joined by the organizer of Black in National Parks Week and the Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition Administrator for the Illinois Environmental Council to hear more about Black people and people of color are underrepresented in the outdoor industry. Guests: Nicole Jackson, Organizer of Black in National Parks Week, Co-organizer of #BlackBirdersWeek, and

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CEJA Opinion Media Workshop

IEC’s Communications director, Tucker Barry, hosted a small training session for folks interested in learning about how they can encourage their friends and neighbors to support the Clean Energy Jobs Act through the opinion section in their local newspaper! In the session, we discussed how to talk about CEJA, what makes a good Letter to

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CEJA pushed to back burner by COVID

“‘The climate crisis is longer-term,” said Jen Walling, executive director of the Illinois Environmental Council, “but if we can’t handle this…’ Walling and Sen. Cristina Castro of Elgin, a lead CEJA sponsor, took part Wednesday in a webinar sponsored by the Chicago Area Public Affairs Group on the topic of ‘Environmental Concerns in the Midst

CEJA pushed to back burner by COVID Read More »

Livestock Operations

The Livestock Facilities Management Act regulates large animal facilities that house thousands of hogs, chicken, or cows. It is also used to actively supersede local control of the siting and construction of these types of facilities. Danielle Diamond from the Socially Responsible Agriculture Project and Albert Ettinger, attorney, will review the laws concerning livestock operations.

Livestock Operations Read More »

Buildings & Climate Change

https://youtu.be/L2ZrVAr6fFQ Residential and commercial buildings use almost 30% of the electricity supply in the US. As we invest in renewable energy and move toward decarbonization, we must critically examine the role that buildings play in meeting our climate goals. Katie Kaluzny, from the Illinois Green Alliance, will review energy efficiency and building decarbonization policies that

Buildings & Climate Change Read More »

The Environmental Case for the Fair Tax

https://youtu.be/uJR77BBut8I This year, amidst a respiratory health pandemic and urgent calls for racial justice, we have seen the importance of government agencies charged with combating threats to our health and lifting up communities that have been harmed most by pollution, economic inequality, and racism. We’ve also seen how our broken tax system has badly eroded

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TEAMING UP

“Over time, long-term benefits also accrue. ‘My tile waters are clear, with lower levels of nitrates, due to cereal rye uptake,’  says Dick Lyons of Harvel, Illinois, who started no-tilling corn in 1976 and soybeans in 1996. He’s on year seven of blanketing all his acres with cover crops. Lyons also variable-rate applies fertilizer. Besides

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Endangered Species Act

For this session, IEC will be joined by NRDC to discuss the Endangered Species Act and the way that it is used to protect wildlife in Illinois and all over the United States. Presenters: Lucas Rhoads, Attorney at NRDC

Endangered Species Act Read More »

Rich or poor, every Chicagoan deserves to live in an environmentally safe neighborhood

“Protecting less advantaged communities is complicated further in Illinois by a law that prohibits the state Environmental Protection Agency from considering the cumulative effect of multiple industry permits, says Jen Walling, executive director of the Illinois Environmental Council. The effect of the prohibition is that a neighborhood might be beset by various types of pollution

Rich or poor, every Chicagoan deserves to live in an environmentally safe neighborhood Read More »

How To Avoid Plastic Grocery Bags During Illinois’ Reusable Bag Ban

Jennifer Walling, executive director of the Illinois Environmental Council, concurs. “The Governor’s approach to safely reopening has been wisely based on the wisdom of scientists and public health officials, and his policy regarding reusable bags should be no different,” she said in a statement. “Repeated scientific studies have shown that clean, reusable containers do not

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Lawmakers, environmental groups vow fight against moving General Iron isn’t over after IEPA permit

“Illinois Environmental Council Executive Director Jen Walling, who was also involved in the fight over EtO last year, she wished the Pritzker administration could have strengthened regulations with General Iron as it did in the case of Sterigenics. “I look at Sterigenics and the IEPA did things they’ve never done there,” Walling said. “I definitely

Lawmakers, environmental groups vow fight against moving General Iron isn’t over after IEPA permit Read More »