Illinois’ 2022 Enviro Legislative Agenda
See the top environmental bills being considered by the Illinois General Assembly this year.
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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
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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
Secretary Buttigieg in Bloomington-Normal Celebrating New Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Investments
Illinois Uniquely Positioned to Create Jobs with Federal Investments BLOOMINGTON-NORMAL, IL – Tomorrow, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg will travel to the Bloomington-Normal metropolitan area to highlight the Illinois Department of Transportation’s work to make electric vehicles more accessible to all Illinoisans. Secretary Buttigieg’s visit comes on the heels of yesterday’s announcement from President Biden’s Department
Analysis: Governor’s FY2023 Budget Address
Gov. JB Pritzker unveiled his 2023 budget proposal. Check it out to see how and which environmental priorities will be funded next year.
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Statement: Gov. Pritzker’s FY23 Budget Proposal a Historic Commitment to Climate Solutions
(Springfield, IL) – Today, the Illinois Environmental Council (IEC) reacted to Gov. JB Pritzker’s annual State of the State address and FY23 budget proposal issuing the following statement: “The Illinois Environmental Council applauds Gov. JB Pritzker for proposing a state budget that prioritizes resources for combatting climate change, a first in Illinois history. Never before
Procurement & Illinois Power Agency
https://youtu.be/89azoPc5kh8 Part of our series of CEJA Implementation Lunch & Learns, this webinar focuses on all things IPA. Co-hosted by IEC and the Clean Jobs Coalition and featuring Melena Hessel of the Environmental Law & Policy Center.
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A Look at Chicago’s Environmental Justice Battles, Impacts and Solutions
Though Chicago has recently made historic climate and environmental justice budget investments, the city still has much to do in the way of ensuring equitable public health and environmental protections in our EJ communities.
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Illinois — a major feeder to the Gulf of Mexico dead zone — falls behind federal goal to reduce phosphorus and nitrogen flowing into its waterways
“By 2025, Illinois aims to reduce nitrogen and nitrate by 15% and phosphorus by 25%, with a goal of greater long-term reductions. Instead, averaged from 2015 to 2019, nitrogen loads increased by 13% compared with a baseline period from 1980 to 1996, and phosphorus loads increased by 35%, according to the latest biennial report on the
From the Halls of Government to Some of Illinois’ Most Beautiful Places
Get a peek behind the scenes during some of our farm and conservation tour stops with Illinois legislators and decision makers.
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Environmental Organizations Call on the City of Chicago to do Right by Southeast Siders
As disrespectful text messages surface, environmental groups back Southeast Side residents CHICAGO – Yesterday, reporting by the Chicago Tribune uncovered an alarming series of text messages between Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Alderperson Sue Garza regarding the ongoing fight for clean air on Chicago’s Southeast Side. In response, the Illinois Environmental Council and the Sierra Club
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BP Agrees to $500K Penalty, Soot Limits at Indiana Refinery
“Environmentalists express ongoing concerns for air pollution in the Chicagoland area. “Chicago Tonight” discusses the environmental impacts of local refineries and more with Jen Walling, executive director of the Illinois Environmental Council, and Eric Schaeffer, executive director of the Environmental Integrity Project and a former enforcement director with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (Produced by
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Do Illinois’ transportation plans match its climate promises?
Illinois leaders have congratulated themselves on the passage of climate legislation and committed to upholding the promises in the Paris Climate Agreement. However, some are pointing out that Illinois has plans to widen and expand roads, which could encourage more vehicular traffic and increase emissions. We were joined by one such critic from the Urban
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Statement on U.S. House Passage of the Build Back Better Act, Once-in-a-Generation Climate Legislation
Springfield, IL — The Illinois Environmental Council issued the following statement in response to the passage of historic climate legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives: “Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the strongest climate bill in United States history. Thank you Reps. Bustos, Casten, Davis, Foster, Garcia, Kelly, Krishnamoorthi, Newman, Quigley, Rush, Schakowsky,
Governor Pritzker signs electric vehicle legislation
“The Reimagining Electric Vehicles in Illinois Act creates incentives for businesses to build electric cars in the state. Reset asks EV advocates if this law will be implemented equitably. GUESTS: Neda Deylami, electric vehicle advocate Jen Walling, executive director for the Illinois Environmental Council” Listen to the full interview here.
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Biden Claims Historic Progress on Climate Efforts at Summit
President Joe Biden argued Tuesday that historic progress on addressing global warming was achieved at the U.N. climate conference in Glasgow, Scotland, and expressed optimism for a similar outcome in Washington, where his legislative agenda has been stalled by intra-party disagreements. Speaking in a press conference before boarding Air Force One to return to Washington,
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Bell Bowl Prairie saved for now as Rockford airport announces it will revisit expansion plans
Lindsay Keeney, conservation director at the environmental council, said saving the prairie is one step Illinois can take to lead a charge made by President Joe Biden to protect open space and curb climate change under the “America the Beautiful” plan. The plan aims to conserve 30% of U.S. lands and water by 2030. Bell
Statement: Illinois Environmental Council Issues Statement on President Biden’s Build Back Better Act Framework Announcement
Springfield, IL — Today, following President Biden’s announcement of a new framework for his Build Back Better Act, the Illinois Environmental Council issued the following statement of support: “Today, after thousands of Illinoisans and millions across the nation called, knocked on doors, and demanded action, President Biden has finally announced a framework for the strongest
Statement: Illinois Environmental Council Applauds Chicago’s Approved FY2022 Budget
CHICAGO — The Illinois Environmental Council issued the following statement of support following Chicago’s Fiscal Year 2022 budget vote: “The Illinois Environmental Council applauds Mayor Lori Lightfoot and the Chicago City Council Alderpersons who voted in support of the FY2022 budget for passing the single largest environmental investment in Chicago’s history. This historic investment in
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