Illinois Has Your Back, Mother Earth
April 21, 2025
We can’t count on Washington to do right for the environment. Good thing Illinois’ environmental movement is on top of it.
IEC Blog
Defining Illinois’ Federal Strategy for Environmental Advocacy
April 18, 2025
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.
Federal Funding Cuts are Hurting Small Farmers
April 17, 2025
Illinois’ farmers can’t wait around for the federal government to decide if critical agriculture programs are worthwhile. Their livelihoods are on the line.
Illinois’ Gardens Fight Climate Change
April 7, 2025
The Homeowner’s Native Landscaping Act, passed into law in 2024, is a win for Illinois’ biodiversity and climate.
Restoring Voting Power to People in Prison
March 25, 2025
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.
Public Transit is Essential. Now It Must Be Protected.
March 10, 2025
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.
Northeastern Illinois Conservation Sees Critical Win
March 3, 2025
In a battle of expectedly “red” versus “blue” politics, conservation funding in northeastern Illinois emerged a winner in the 2024 election.
Building Power to Confront Illinois’ Factory Farms
February 19, 2025
Chad Wallace tells the tale of how he met the farmer who inspired our investigation into Illinois’ factory farms.
6 Civics Tips for Illinois Environmentalists
January 13, 2025
Illinoisans are enthusiastic about gaining the skills to effectively help us build power for people and the environment.
Progress Here at Home
December 20, 2024
A Letter from IEC Executive Director Jen Walling
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.