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.
2021 IEC Legislative Report Read More »
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
New Law Will Preserve Homeowners’ Solar Rights Read More »
“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
IEC Summer 2021 Newsletter Read More »
“’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.
Illinois lawmakers headed back to Springfield for renewable energy bill Read More »
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
2021 Chicago City Council Scorecard Read More »
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
Intro to Energy Law Read More »
“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.
2021 End of Session Environmental Legislative Update Read More »
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.
Civics: Chicago City Council Edition Read More »
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