By Crystal Kern, Finance Director This year hasn’t been quite what I had in mind when I was saying goodbye to 2019. I’m sure a lot of folks feel the same. It has only been a year since the last blog about my farm, Reclaimed Heritage. We had well organized plans of planting various crops […]
Reclaimed Heritage Farm: A year later and a flock larger Read More »
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
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
Applications for the “Fall Covers for Spring Savings Program” will be available on the IDOA website in December 2020.
2020 Cover Crops Premium Discount Program Read More »
“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
Black in National Parks: How Black People & POC Are Underrepresented in the Outdoors Read More »
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
CEJA Opinion Media Workshop Read More »
“‘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 »
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 »
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 »
Coal has had a permanent impact on the state of Illinois. Join IEC and Prairie Rivers Network to discuss the way that coal has influenced Illinois’ environment and economy through a historical lens, ranging from the 1800s to a modern day case study. Presenters: Andrew Rehn, Prairie Rivers Network Pam Richart, Eco Justice Collaborative Brian
Coal in Illinois with Prairie Rivers Network Read More »
The Illinois Environmental Council issued the following statement regarding the Trump admin’s pending deployment of federal officers in Chicago: CHICAGO – The continued uprisings following the murder of George Floyd have demonstrated yet again that while the right to protest may be granted to all, it is a privilege for only some in this country.
IEC Statement on Trump Admin’s Pending Deployment of Federal Officers in Chicago Read More »
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
The Environmental Case for the Fair Tax Read More »
“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
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 »
“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 »
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
How To Avoid Plastic Grocery Bags During Illinois’ Reusable Bag Ban Read More »
Many people overlook our natural areas as a major highlight of things Illinois has to offer, but that’s a mistake: Illinois is beautiful.
Jen Walling’s List of Must-see Treasures in Southern Illinois Read More »
