2025 Food Systems Townhall
Is Illinois on the right track? Help shape IEC’s Food Systems policy priorities as we head into 2026.
2025 Food Systems Townhall Read More »
2025 Clean Water Townhall
Is Illinois on the right track? Help shape IEC’s Clean Water policy priorities as we head into 2026.
2025 Clean Water Townhall Read More »
2025 Clean Energy Townhall
Is Illinois on the right track? Help shape IEC’s Clean Energy policy priorities as we head into 2026.
2025 Clean Energy Townhall Read More »
Keep Your Eyes Open for Invasive Species This Halloween
Ghosts, Ghouls…..and Invasive Species? Learn about some of the spookiest invasive species in Illinois.
Keep Your Eyes Open for Invasive Species This Halloween Read More »
A Guide to Water Policy Terminology
From safe drinking water in Chicago to clean rivers downstate, Illinois water policy shapes our daily lives. Understanding the language behind it helps every community advocate for a healthier future.
A Guide to Water Policy Terminology Read More »
Analysis: Understand the Federal Government Shutdown and Its Impact on Illinois
Congress failed to meet its October 1 deadline to pass a funding bill, triggering a government shutdown that has suspended key environmental programs, furloughed government employees, closed national parks, and stopped non-essential services.
Analysis: Understand the Federal Government Shutdown and Its Impact on Illinois Read More »
2024 Annual Report
Explore our IEC and IECEF Annual Report to learn more about the state of our organizations and the progress we made in 2024.
2024 Annual Report Read More »
Analysis: Trump’s Big “Ugly” Bill
H.R. 1 drastically cuts key clean energy tax credits, chipping away at Illinois’ progress toward a clean energy economy and threatening to cut as many as 52,000 manufacturing and energy jobs in the state.
Analysis: Trump’s Big “Ugly” Bill Read More »
Wrapping Up the 2025 Illinois Legislative Session
Our team has been on the ground at the Capitol for the last five months, all the way up until the final moments this evening. And you’ve been right there with us.
Wrapping Up the 2025 Illinois Legislative Session Read More »
Illinois’ Climate Goals and Consumers At Risk Amidst Legislature’s Inaction
Illinois General Assembly misses opportunity to deliver cleaner, lower-cost, more reliable energy amidst rising costs, increasingly extreme weather, and federal mismanagement. ILLINOIS — Today, just one day before energy bills are expected to spike across Illinois, the General Assembly failed to pass the Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability (CRGA) Act, which would have taken critical
Illinois’ Climate Goals and Consumers At Risk Amidst Legislature’s Inaction Read More »
A Sprint to Accelerate Illinois’ Clean Energy Progress
With two full weeks of the legislative session left before the May 31 deadline, IEC is working overtime to ensure our priorities cross the finish line.
A Sprint to Accelerate Illinois’ Clean Energy Progress Read More »
Illinois Has Your Back, Mother Earth
We can’t count on Washington to do right for the environment. Good thing Illinois’ environmental movement is on top of it.
Illinois Has Your Back, Mother Earth Read More »
Cate Caldwell
Cate Caldwell joined the Illinois Environmental Council as a Senior Policy Manager in March of 2025. In this role, Cate coordinates and communicates with IEC staff and member affiliates primarily on federal efforts, maintaining relationships with elected officials and agencies, while also supporting the Agriculture and Conservation program team in developing legislative strategies. Cate’s leadership
Stella Younkin
Stella Younkin joined the Illinois Environmental Council in Spring 2025 as a Government Affairs Fellow. Stella supports IEC’s legislative and advocacy work, advancing environmental progress by implementing IEC’s policy and advocacy priorities with the state legislature. In this role, she contributes to lobbying efforts, helps track legislation, and advocates for IEC’s environmental positions. She works
Defining Illinois’ Federal Strategy for Environmental Advocacy
Facing federal funding cuts impacting our state’s environment, we immediately determined we could help IEC members sift through the federal chaos and grow our federal advocacy presence.
Defining Illinois’ Federal Strategy for Environmental Advocacy Read More »
Federal Funding Cuts are Hurting Small Farmers
Illinois’ farmers can’t wait around for the federal government to decide if critical agriculture programs are worthwhile. Their livelihoods are on the line.
Federal Funding Cuts are Hurting Small Farmers Read More »
Conservation Advocacy in Illinois
We’re midway through the legislative session. Our team has been hard at work this week rounding up roll call votes for many of the bills we’ve been tracking.
Conservation Advocacy in Illinois Read More »
Illinois’ Gardens Fight Climate Change
The Homeowner’s Native Landscaping Act, passed into law in 2024, is a win for Illinois’ biodiversity and climate.
Illinois’ Gardens Fight Climate Change Read More »
Powering Progress: Richland Community College Now Training Up Illinois’ Clean Energy Workforce
CEJA Workforce Hub Celebrates 100% Enrollment Across Training Programs DECATUR, IL—Today, Richland Community College (RCC) and the Illinois Environmental Council (IEC) hosted “Powering Progress: Richland Community College’s Clean Energy Careers in Action” at its Decatur campus. The event highlighted RCC’s Clean Energy Careers program, which provides training and certification for entry-level positions in solar, HVAC,
Restoring Voting Power to People in Prison
Expanding democracy in Illinois is not only good for people, but our environment as well. We have seen that when marginalized communities are empowered, environmental protections become more possible.
Restoring Voting Power to People in Prison Read More »