Progress Here at Home
December 20, 2024
A Letter from IEC Executive Director Jen Walling
IEC Blog
Empowering Environmental Champions: 2024 Legislative Tours
December 16, 2024
To educate decision-makers on the importance of environmental stewardship, we connect them with experiences that demonstrate the real-world impacts of their votes in the General Assembly.
Why I’m Not Looking Back After Purchasing an Electric Vehicle
November 18, 2024
When her old vehicle started experience issues, Jen decided she needed a change. She went fully electric.
Community Conservation at Okàn Savanna
November 12, 2024
The Okàn Savanna project in Pembroke Township stands out as a beacon of community-led conservation that honors the past and future.
The Environment is On Your Ballot
October 14, 2024
Ahead of yet another critical election, IEC’s climate communications manager reflects on the importance of down-ballot races, and what it would mean to elect environmental champions from the local level to Congress.
To Protect Critical Open Space, Voters in Four Northern Illinois Counties Should Vote Yes.
October 3, 2024
Voters in DuPage, Kane, Lake, and McHenry Counties should Vote Yes on Nov. 5 to protect clean water, native habitats and healthy communities.
5 Things I’m Excited for in IEC’s Silent Auction
September 24, 2024
IEC’s Danny Collins shares some of the exciting items generously donated for the 22nd annual Environmental Leadership Dinner silent auction.
Illinois Wetlands Protection Act Letter to Gov. Pritzker
September 11, 2024
Illinois wetlands are vulnerable because unlike Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin, Illinois lacks a comprehensive state wetlands program. Illinois has already lost 90% of the state’s wetlands since the 1800s.
Facing Our Past to Change Our Future
June 14, 2024
President Biden should designate the site of the 1908 Springfield Race Massacre in Illinois’ capital with a National Monument.
Building Power in the Prairie State
June 7, 2024
IEC’s social media manager spent his first week with IEC discovering what it means to build power for people and the environment.
Plastic Pollution in Chicago
May 14, 2024
Over the past few years, Illinois has seen plastic waste reduction legislative victories in Springfield. Advocates in its largest city, Chicago, seek to implement similar legislation to protect Lake Michigan and other water resources from dangerous microplastic pollution.
Protecting Chicago’s Wetlands
May 14, 2024
Wetlands–home to a dazzling array of plants and animals–stand between us and some of the worst effects of climate change. Advocates in Chicago urge decision-makers to implement policy solutions to protect these incredible ecosystems.
Lead Service Line Replacement in Chicago
May 14, 2024
For many Chicagoans, especially folks living on the City’s south and west sides, lead service line pollution is a daily reality. For households served by some of the city’s almost 400,000 lead service lines, this lack of access to clean water continues to be an environmental injustice.
How Local Food Systems Can Transform School Lunchrooms and Brighten Futures
January 29, 2024
With locally-grown food in their diets, students have stopped getting fast food and vending machine snacks for lunch, feel sustained until dinner time, and are more alert in class. The students have also grown closer to the cafeteria staff and gained a greater appreciation for food and where it comes from. IEC pays a visit to Pawnee Schools to see their farm-to-table school lunch program!
Space to Grow: Greening Chicago One Playground At A Time
November 29, 2023
As the climate crisis looms and the unending pace of development threatens natural spaces across the country, it is imperative that green initiatives are advanced and that the benefits of those initiatives are shared among those who are already experiencing the impacts of the climate crisis.
Taking Flight: The Story Behind Illinois’ Long Awaited Monarch License Plates
November 21, 2023
Here’s some conservation news years in the making: in 2016, Illinois passed a law greenlighting a monarch license plate decal which would generate funding for pollinator habitat in IL. A few years, and 2,000 pledges from enviros later and the Decal is finally here!
Out of Office: Looking Back on the 2023 Legislative Tour Season
November 16, 2023
Our 2023 Legislative Tour season has come to an end, which means it’s time to take a look back on all the amazing places we took legislators and other key decision-makers to over the past few months.
Trust the Land: Looking at the Impacts of the Natural Areas Stewardship Act
November 3, 2023
The Natural Areas Stewardship Act allows IDNR to award grants to conservationists like land trusts. Now, over 5 years into the law, take a look back at the impacts of this bill with IEC’s Conservation Director Lindsay Keeney— the wins, progress made and the work that couldn’t have been done without it.
Congratulations, Chicago Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson
April 17, 2023
By: Iyana Simba, City Programs Director The Illinois Environmental Council congratulates incoming Chicago Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson on their recent election victory. We are excited to
Breaking Free from Foam: How Illinois and Chicago Can Reduce Plastic Waste
March 29, 2023
Illinois needs to break up with plastic. For decades, we’ve known that single-use plastic items, including polystyrene foam cups, plates, and containers are among the most common and harmful forms of pollution found in the environment. So, what are Illinois’ plans to eliminate outdated foam foodware?