What is Veto Session and Why Does it Matter?
It’s Veto Session season in Springfield! Find out what it is, why it matters, and how you can help IEC push for key environmental priorities.
October 28, 2025
IEC Blog
Keep Your Eyes Open for Invasive Species This Halloween
Ghosts, Ghouls…..and Invasive Species? Learn about some of the spookiest invasive species in Illinois.
October 22, 2025
A Guide to Water Policy Terminology
From safe drinking water in Chicago to clean rivers downstate, Illinois water policy shapes our daily lives. Understanding the language behind it helps every community advocate for a healthier future.
October 16, 2025
Illinois Has Your Back, Mother Earth
We can’t count on Washington to do right for the environment. Good thing Illinois’ environmental movement is on top of it.
April 21, 2025
Defining Illinois’ Federal Strategy for Environmental Advocacy
Facing federal funding cuts impacting our state’s environment, we immediately determined we could help IEC members sift through the federal chaos and grow our federal advocacy presence.
April 18, 2025
Federal Funding Cuts are Hurting Small Farmers
Illinois’ farmers can’t wait around for the federal government to decide if critical agriculture programs are worthwhile. Their livelihoods are on the line.
April 17, 2025
Illinois’ Gardens Fight Climate Change
The Homeowner’s Native Landscaping Act, passed into law in 2024, is a win for Illinois’ biodiversity and climate.
April 7, 2025
Restoring Voting Power to People in Prison
Expanding democracy in Illinois is not only good for people, but our environment as well. We have seen that when marginalized communities are empowered, environmental protections become more possible.
March 25, 2025
Public Transit is Essential. Now It Must Be Protected.
I moved to Chicago with a dream to make it in the big city. Today, that dream includes protecting essential transit services for all Illinoisans.
March 10, 2025
Northeastern Illinois Conservation Sees Critical Win
In a battle of expectedly “red” versus “blue” politics, conservation funding in northeastern Illinois emerged a winner in the 2024 election.
March 3, 2025
Building Power to Confront Illinois’ Factory Farms
Chad Wallace tells the tale of how he met the farmer who inspired our investigation into Illinois’ factory farms.
February 19, 2025
6 Civics Tips for Illinois Environmentalists
Illinoisans are enthusiastic about gaining the skills to effectively help us build power for people and the environment.
January 13, 2025
December 20, 2024
Empowering Environmental Champions: 2024 Legislative Tours
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.
December 16, 2024
Why I’m Not Looking Back After Purchasing an Electric Vehicle
When her old vehicle started experience issues, Jen decided she needed a change. She went fully electric.
November 18, 2024
Community Conservation at Okàn Savanna
The Okàn Savanna project in Pembroke Township stands out as a beacon of community-led conservation that honors the past and future.
November 12, 2024
The Environment is On Your Ballot
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.
October 14, 2024
To Protect Critical Open Space, Voters in Four Northern Illinois Counties Should Vote Yes.
Voters in DuPage, Kane, Lake, and McHenry Counties should Vote Yes on Nov. 5 to protect clean water, native habitats and healthy communities.
October 3, 2024
5 Things I’m Excited for in IEC’s Silent Auction
IEC’s Danny Collins shares some of the exciting items generously donated for the 22nd annual Environmental Leadership Dinner silent auction.
September 24, 2024
Illinois Wetlands Protection Act Letter to Gov. Pritzker
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.
September 11, 2024