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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 […]

Ahead of 2023 municipal election, the Illinois Environmental Council Releases Alderpersons’ Environmental Voting Records, Recommendations for Chicago’s Next Mayoral Term Read More »

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.

IEC Policy Platform Read More »

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

Bill Defending CEJA and Protecting Local Clean Energy Projects Passes During Lame Duck Session Read More »

A Southeast Side Story: A Closer look at Environmental Justice, Resistance and Sustainability on the East Side

Illinois is home to a diverse range of natural landscapes: from native prairie lands to forest preserves and state parks to marshes, rivers, and other iconic waterways. A large part of IEC’s mission is preserving these natural spaces and building healthy environments for the communities who call them home; however, this mission cannot be approached in the same exact way for each and every community across the state.

A Southeast Side Story: A Closer look at Environmental Justice, Resistance and Sustainability on the East Side Read More »

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

Energy and Transportation Town Hall Read More »

Only Two States Have Passed ‘Right to Garden’ Laws. Will Others Follow?

In 2018, a friend who owned a nearby garden store connected Virgil with a state senator. That introduction planted a seed of an idea: what about a bill at the state level to protect home gardeners in Illinois? To begin exploring that concept, Virgil started working with organizations including the Illinois Environmental Council, the Citizen Advocacy Center,

Only Two States Have Passed ‘Right to Garden’ Laws. Will Others Follow? Read More »

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

IEC Statement on President Biden Signing the Inflation Reduction Act into Law Read More »

Climate cash coming to Illinois

“This week President Biden is expected to sign the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), which includes an unprecedented $370 billion for climate change mitigation. Why it matters: Much of the climate money is directed at getting folks like us to switch to more sustainable sources of energy for our homes and transportation. When it comes to Illinois-level effects, many details still

Climate cash coming to Illinois Read More »

‘A year head start’: How advocates say Illinois is in a good position for federal climate spending

Rather than each state receiving a formula-driven amount of funds — much like how last year’s major infrastructure law operates — the states that will benefit from the “first come, first served” nature of this legislation are the ones that reach out and apply for grants, participate in programs and take advantage of the tax

‘A year head start’: How advocates say Illinois is in a good position for federal climate spending Read More »

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

IEC Statement on U.S. House Passage of Historic Climate Action Investments in the Inflation Reduction Act Read More »

Greenhouse Rebellion with Brian Gill

Brian is the Federal Policy Director for the Illinois Environmental Council. He’s just the person to talk to about how Illinois might benefit. Before the interview, I shared an update about the Shawnee National Park progress. Also, this show was recorded on the eve of a super moon while the earth was spending faster. It’s

Greenhouse Rebellion with Brian Gill Read More »