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Special report: Worries in the water — In wake of crisis, more states look at aging systems’ impact on our health

“This is the first step in our final goal of a lead-free water system in Illinois,” said Jennifer Walling, executive director of the Illinois Environmental Council, which has been pushing a testing bill for months. “The standardization of testing protocols and parental notification of results put Illinois at the forefront of the country in protecting […]

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Lead Testing, Energy Jobs Highlight Illinois’ 2016 Environmental Scorecard

For environmental advocates, Illinois ended 2016 with two major victories: the passing of a landmark energy bill and an act requiring schools to test drinking water sources for lead. But the state saw a number of other environmental initiatives last year, many of which are highlighted in the Illinois Environmental Council’s 2016 Environmental Scorecard. Read the

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After Southern Illinois schools test their drinking water for lead, what’s next?

Schools built in 2001 and thereafter do not have to be tested at this time. Though, the law allows the Illinois Department of Public Health to write rules for further testing of newer schools, if warranted, based on the test results of the older facilities, said Jennifer Walling, executive director of the Illinois Environmental Council.

After Southern Illinois schools test their drinking water for lead, what’s next? Read More »

Lead testing for schools, day cares signed into law

Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan’s office and the Illinois Environmental Council pushed for lead testing for months, but Rauner’s administration wasn’t on board until recent negotiations. Earlier versions of the bill required water suppliers to pay for the testing, which experts estimate could run from $500 to $5,000 per facility. Read the full article here.

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Rauner signs lead-testing law for schools, day care centers

Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan’s office and the Illinois Environmental Council pushed for lead testing for months, but Rauner’s administration wasn’t on board until recent negotiations. Earlier versions of the bill required water suppliers to pay for the testing, which experts estimate could run from $500 to $5,000 per facility. Read the full article here.

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Lisa Madigan: Illinois needs to protect children from lead exposure

“With this legislation, Illinois will now be able to compete head-to-head for clean energy jobs with any other state in the nation — and win,” said Jennifer Walling, Executive Director of the Illinois Environmental Council (IEC), who added “The Future Energy Jobs bill fixes and improves the broken Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS), leading to $12

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Rauner signs Future Energy Jobs bill

“With this legislation, Illinois will now be able to compete head-to-head for clean energy jobs with any other state in the nation — and win,” said Jennifer Walling, Executive Director of the Illinois Environmental Council (IEC), who added “The Future Energy Jobs bill fixes and improves the broken Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS), leading to $12

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IEC EnviroNews (Spring 2015)

Find the full PDF online here or scroll down to read 2014 Legislative Report Sweep to conservation funds Monarch butterfly legislation introduced Exotic weeds and invasive species legislation Illinois Clean Jobs Bill introduced Brownfields and the Land Bank Act List of 2015 recycling and composting bills Seed library bill

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IEC EnviroNews (Spring 2014)

Find the full PDF online here or scroll down to read. Spring report List of upcoming events Illinois moving on climate ready water infrastructure Report on protecting Illinois wildlife New farmers’ market rules Report on the Urban Flooding Awareness Act Removing of mandated coal education program Keeping microbeads out of the Great Lakes Report on

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IEC EnviroNews (Summer 2013)

Find the full PDF online here or scroll down to read. Statehouse report List of upcoming events Recreation liability protection return to Illinois Progress on fix to Illinois’ renewable energy portfolio standards General Assembly passes green infrastructure bills New legislation to help building owners finance energy efficiency improvements The impacts of coal More composting options

IEC EnviroNews (Summer 2013) Read More »