Executive Assistant
The Illinois Environmental Council Education Fund (IECEF) is looking for an Executive Assistant to join our amazing team.
Illinois Environmental Council Applauds Milestone in Monarch Butterfly License Plate Specialty Decal Project
Monarch Decals to Soon Be in the Hands of Interested Illinois Drivers CHICAGO – Today, the Illinois Secretary of State’s Office, in a joint announcement with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, rolled out the brand new specialty Monarch Butterfly license plate decal after legislative approval seven years ago. Having played a key role in …
State Legislators Earn Coveted Top Marks for Their Environmental Voting Record
Illinois Environmental Council Releases Annual Scorecard (SPRINGFIELD, IL) – The Illinois Environmental Council (IEC) released its 2023 Legislative Environmental Scorecard today. The scorecard, which is released annually, assigns a percentage score to legislators based on how they voted on bills affecting the environment. This year, 17 state representatives and 10 state senators received 100% scores …
State Legislators Earn Coveted Top Marks for Their Environmental Voting Record Read More »
2023 Environmental Scorecard
IEC is proud to present our 2023 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 …
Governor Pritzker Vetoes Legislation That Would Have Allowed Ameren to Monopolize Transmission Projects
Illinois — Today, Governor JB Pritzker issued an amendatory veto on HB3445—legislation that would have given Ameren, the private utility company that serves much of Central and Southern Illinois, a “Right of First Refusal” to build regional transmission lines in Southern Illinois. Under this bill, Ameren would have been given first dibs on building new …
2023 Legislative Report
IEC’s state policy team has published our 2023 Legislative Report detailing environmental wins and setbacks during this year’s legislative session.
Illinois Landfill Methane Emissions are the Ninth Worst in the Country
6 out of 10 of the Largest Industrial Methane Emitters in Illinois are Landfills CHICAGO (May 31, 2023)— Industrious Labs released a new analysis today that shows how Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) landfills in all fifty states compare to other large industrial methane emitters. Illinois ranks ninth among states in harmful methane emissions from MSW …
Illinois Landfill Methane Emissions are the Ninth Worst in the Country Read More »
Illinois General Assembly Fails to Act on Accumulated Air Pollution in EJ Communities this Session, Advances New Pollution in Vulnerable Areas
SPRINGFIELD, IL — After missing multiple opportunities this Spring to protect environmental justice communities across Illinois, the Illinois General Assembly yesterday passed HB2878 and HJR23. These bills give broad permission for public-private partnership (P3) funding of large transportation projects like widening I-55. This legislation will bring new vehicle traffic and even more diesel emissions into …
2023 Environmental Legislative Update, May 23
Important deadlines this week and big updates on priority bills
IEC Lunch & Learn Deep Dive: Informing Policy Decisions with the Greater Chicago Watershed Alliance’s Nature-based Solutions Tool
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Earth Month at IEC: Illinois Farmers March on Washington
Happy Earth Day from IEC! This year, we’ve been celebrating Earth Month by highlighting the incredible people power of our team here at IEC. Each week this month, we’ve introduced you to a hardworking IEC staff member who represents the incredible, dedicated folks on our team. Below you’ll find a brand new blog post from …
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Earth Month at IEC: Environmentalists advocate slate of bills– What to know
Happy Earth Day from IEC! This year, we’re celebrating Earth Month by highlighting the incredible people power of our team here at IEC. Each week this month, we’re introducing you to a hardworking IEC staff member who represents the incredible, dedicated folks on our team. Below you’ll find coverage in the State Journal Register of …
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400+ Illinoisans Advocate for Slate of Legislation Promoting Environmental Protection and Climate Justice
Springfield, IL. — More than 400 Illinoisans mobilized today to urge their representatives in the Illinois General Assembly to pass bills that protect the environment and address climate injustices impacting historically marginalized communities across Illinois. At a rally outside of the Capitol Building and during meetings with legislators, advocates and activists called for the legislature …
Congratulations, Chicago Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson
By: Iyana Simba, City Programs Director The Illinois Environmental Council congratulates incoming Chicago Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson on their recent election victory. We are excited to begin working with you on building the sustainable and healthy environment that all Chicagoans deserve. Still on the heels of 2021’s Climate and Equitable Jobs Act passage in Illinois and …
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Earth Month at IEC: 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.
2023 Environmental Legislative Update, April 11
Important deadlines this week and big updates on priority bills
Earth Month at IEC: 2023 Chicago Environmental Mayor Report
From clean energy to transportation to urban conservation, IEC’s Mayoral Report lays out both small & lofty objectives that the mayor ought to tackle to make Chicago a sustainable city.
2023 Environmental Legislative Update, March 28
Important deadlines this week and big updates on priority bills
2023 Environmental Legislative Update, March 10
Important deadlines this week and big updates on priority bills
Priceless Bell Bowl Prairie Demolished in Rockford, IL
Advocates respond, calling the destruction ‘devastating’ Rockford, IL – Much of the ancient Bell Bowl Prairie was demolished this morning as bulldozers for the Greater Rockford Airport Authority (GRAA) rolled through the most pristine acres of the ancient prairie land following Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) clearance. “The destruction of Bell Bowl Prairie is nothing short …
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2022 LCV National Environmental Scorecard
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Illinois’ 2023 Enviro Legislative Priorities
See the top environmental bills being considered by the Illinois General Assembly this year.
Analysis: Governor’s FY2024 Budget Address
Gov. JB Pritzker unveiled his 2024 budget proposal. Check it out to see how and which environmental priorities will be funded next year.
The Decisive Decade
IEC recently had the pleasure of hosting President Biden’s National Climate Advisor, Ali Zaidi, for a breakfast with leaders from Illinois’ environmental community.
Gov. Pritzker Signs Legislation Protecting Clean Energy Projects
SPRINGFIELD, IL – Gov. JB Pritzker signed legislation protecting Illinois-based clean energy projects from a growing number of local bans. HB4412 prevents counties from enacting preemptive local ordinances that outright ban local wind and solar projects, hindering the state’s new climate goals set forth in the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA). The bill passed …
Gov. Pritzker Signs Legislation Protecting Clean Energy Projects Read More »
2023 Chicago City Council Scorecard
Below you will find IEC’s 2023 Environmental Scorecard for the Chicago City Council, calculating each 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 you can see whether your alderperson has used their power in the City Council to protect …
Ahead of 2023 municipal election, the Illinois Environmental Council Releases Alderpersons’ Environmental Voting Records, Recommendations for Chicago’s Next Mayoral Term
(CHICAGO) – Today, the Illinois Environmental Council (IEC) released its 2023 Mayoral Report and 2023 Chicago City Council Environmental Scorecard. With a range of environmental issues arising throughout a Chicago mayoral term, IEC’s 2023 Mayoral Report lays out key recommendations across a wide range of environmental issues for the city’s leader during the next Mayoral …
2023 Chicago Environmental Mayor Report
From clean energy to transportation to urban conservation, IEC’s Mayoral Report lays out both small & lofty objectives that the mayor ought to tackle to make Chicago a sustainable city.
IEC Policy Platform
We convened town halls open to the public, all of our 100+ affiliate organizations, our individual members and our staff to deliberate and develop the policy solutions endorsed by our Illinois environmental movement.
Bill Defending CEJA and Protecting Local Clean Energy Projects Passes During Lame Duck Session
SPRINGFIELD, IL – A bill protecting Illinois-based clean energy projects from a growing number of local bans passed today during the Illinois General Assembly’s lame duck legislative session. HB4412 was drafted to prevent counties from enacting preemptive local ordinances that outright ban local wind and solar projects, hindering the state’s new climate goals set forth …
STATEMENT: IEC Voices Support for Chicago’s Proposed FY2023 Budget
CHICAGO – Illinois Environmental Council Executive Director Jen Walling released the following statement in anticipation of today’s City Council budget consideration: “The City of Chicago’s proposed FY2023 budget includes significant steps forward in staffing, resources, power and responsibility for the environment, environmental justice and climate projects at the City of Chicago. We urge alderpersons to …
STATEMENT: IEC Voices Support for Chicago’s Proposed FY2023 Budget Read More »
Energy and Transportation Town Hall
Wednesday, November 16 | 6-7:30 pm | Register via Zoom using the form below IEC is hosting a series of three town halls for our supporters. At the Energy and Transportation Town Hall, participants will hear from IEC and our partners on the most pressing issues facing Illinois and our current advocacy plans. We’re reserving …
The Illinois is Beautiful Initiative
From our conversations in Illinois communities and the surveys we collected, it is clear there is overwhelming support for an increase and acceleration of conservation in Illinois. Over 85% of respondents believe that 4% of Illinois land in protection is not enough.
IEC Statement on President Biden Signing the Inflation Reduction Act into Law
Springfield, IL – Today, in response to President Biden signing the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) into law, the Illinois Environmental Council (IEC) released the following statement from Executive Director Jen Walling: “With President Biden’s signature, we are stepping into a new future, one that works for everyone in Illinois. The Inflation Reduction Act is the …
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IEC Statement on U.S. House Passage of Historic Climate Action Investments in the Inflation Reduction Act
Springfield, IL – Today, in response to the U.S. House of Representatives’ passage of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), the Illinois Environmental Council (IEC) released the following statement from Executive Director Jen Walling: “Since learning that Sens. Schumer and Manchin reached a deal on the climate provisions within the Inflation Reduction Act, IEC has engaged …
2021 Annual Report
Read the 2021 IEC and IECEF Annual Report to learn more about the state of our organizations and the progress we made in 2021.
IEC Statement on Senate Passage of the Inflation Reduction Act
Springfield, IL – Today, in response to Senate passage of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), the Illinois Environmental Council (IEC) released the following statement from Executive Director Jen Walling: “It’s a historic day. The Inflation Reduction Act is the single biggest thing our nation has ever done to confront the climate crisis. The IRA will …
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Send Us Your Resume
The Illinois Environmental Council Education Fund (IECEF) is always looking for talented folks to join our amazing team.
IEC’s Statement on Senator Manchin’s Refusal to Support Climate Action
Springfield, IL – In response to the news that Senator Manchin will not support climate action in the Senate reconciliation deal, the Illinois Environmental Council (IEC) released the following statement: “The climate provisions in President Biden’s Build Back Better plan are, in no uncertain terms, our last chance to prevent the most catastrophic and costly …
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Global Crises and Pain at the Pump: A Clean Solution to Rising Energy Prices
With gas prices skyrocketing, the need for increased investment in clean energy has never been greater. To understand the current situation and what needs to happen next, let us take a look at history and how we got here.
League of Conservation Voters 2021 National Scorecard Shows Illinois Delegation Strongly Support Our Environment and Democracy
Springfield, IL – Today, the Illinois Environmental Council (IEC), state affiliate of the League of Conservation Voters (LCV), announced the Illinois congressional delegation’s scores on LCV’s 2021 National Environmental Scorecard. The Scorecard is the primary yardstick for evaluating the environmental records of members of Congress since 1970 and is available for download in English here, …
Illinois’ 2022 Enviro Legislative Agenda
See the top environmental bills being considered by the Illinois General Assembly this year.
500+ Illinoisans Mobilize in Support of Environmental Justice Legislation
Hundreds Rally for Passage of Industrial Permitting Reform, Protections for Power Plant Communities, Voting Rights and more SPRINGFIELD, IL – More than 500 Illinoisans mobilized today for an environmental justice-focused lobby day and rally. Participants urged their legislators to pass bills that address environmental injustices impacting historically marginalized communities across Illinois. The environmental justice movement …
500+ Illinoisans Mobilize in Support of Environmental Justice Legislation Read More »
Statement: Illinois Environmental Council Applauds Southeast Side Community in General Iron Victory
Lightfoot Administration Upholds Commitment to Environmental Justice and Public Health Note: This content was circulated exclusively on social media and not distributed to the press. IEC suggests reporters reach out to community groups who have led the General Iron fight. Should you need contact information for those leaders, IEC’s communications director, Tucker Barry, can put …