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 »
“‘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 »
See the top environmental bills being considered by the Illinois General Assembly this year.
2021 Environmental Legislative Update 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
Environmentalists push for lead pipe phase out Read More »
Bill would protect public health, safe drinking water for millions of Illinoisans SPRINGFIELD, IL (May 13, 2021) – Following bipartisan passage by the Illinois House of Representatives of the Lead Service Line Replacement and Notification Act (HB 3739), which would require all water utilities statewide to replace all lead service lines, Senate action is needed
“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 »
These tongue-twister chemicals pose a danger to us, wildlife and our water resources.
PFAS: A Toxic Legacy Building in Illinois 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 Future of Renewable Energy Read More »
“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.
Springfield could still have nearly 10,000 lead service lines in water system Read More »
Hundreds Rally for Passage of the Clean Energy Jobs Act, Toxic Lead Service Line Removal and New Air Permitting Reforms SPRINGFIELD, IL — Today, 1,000 environmental justice leaders, renewable energy advocates, youth activists, faith leaders, business representatives and consumer groups from every part of Illinois met virtually with over 80 members of the Illinois General
