The Decisive Decade
IEC recently had the pleasure of hosting President Biden’s National Climate Advisor, Ali Zaidi, for a breakfast with leaders from Illinois’ environmental community.
February 7, 2023
IEC Blog
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.
December 2, 2022
2022 Legislative Tours: Legislators in the Wild
In June 2019, I wrote a blog post introducing readers to one of the Illinois Environmental Council’s most successful programs, legislative tours. Since then, we’ve conducted dozens of informative “tours” with legislators and local officials, taking them out of their office buildings and into the natural areas we need their help to protect.
December 1, 2022
Leaving a Sustainable Legacy for Generations to Come When We Die
End of life planning is not the most exciting subject for many people. Folks tend to avoid it whenever they can! But not having the conversation means people are unaware of their potential opportunities.
October 28, 2022
The Illinois is Beautiful Initiative
From our conversations in Illinois communities and the surveys we collected, it is clear there is overwhelming support for an increase and acceleration of conservation in Illinois. Over 85% of respondents believe that 4% of Illinois land in protection is not enough.
August 17, 2022
Global Crises and Pain at the Pump: A Clean Solution to Rising Energy Prices
With gas prices skyrocketing, the need for increased investment in clean energy has never been greater. To understand the current situation and what needs to happen next, let us take a look at history and how we got here.
May 4, 2022
Why Chicago needs Department of Environment and why we need one now
A decade ago, the City of Chicago under the Emanuel administration dissolved its Department of Environment, leaving a broad range of environmental issues to be dealt with across scattered and, at times, understaffed city departments. It’s long past time to reestablish Chicago’s Department of Environment, read our blog to learn why.
May 4, 2022
Agriculture Lease Agreements with Illinois Department of Natural Resources
In December of 2021, Lindsay Keeney and Eliot Clay of the Illinois Environmental Council (IEC) sat down with Mike Chandler and Bob Caveny of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) to discuss the department’s agriculture lease program. Mike Chandler is the Agricultural Lease Manager for the IDNR and has been with the department for 29 years. Bob Caveny is the Farm Programs Manager and has been with IDNR for 10 years.
March 9, 2022
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.
January 5, 2022
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.
December 17, 2021
Decarbonizing your home: Making your contribution to Zero Net Carbon
Don’t wait on leadership to act on climate– here are some simple ways to start decarbonizing your own home!
August 5, 2021
Meeting the Moment on Federal Climate Action
Congress must pass once-in-a-generation investments in clean energy and infrastructure necessary to tackle the climate crisis.
August 2, 2021
PFAS: A Toxic Legacy Building in Illinois
These tongue-twister chemicals pose a danger to us, wildlife and our water resources.
May 6, 2021
30 x 30: An opportunity for Illinois
Reaching 30 x 30 in Illinois is a mighty, but worthy challenge.
April 24, 2021
From Toxic Fluff in Lincoln Park, to the Smoke that Blanketed Little Village: A Snapshot of Environmental Justice Issues in Chicago
Start learning up on what’s happening in Environmental Justice communities across the city– and we’ve just released a great blog to get you started!
February 8, 2021
Welcome Incoming Board Members
The Illinois Environmental Council is thrilled to welcome five new board members to our organization. Their expertise and experiences are as broad as they are
February 1, 2021
A Threat to our Democracy is a Threat to our Environment
It’s probably no surprise to you that here at IEC, we believe government is meant to play a primary role in improving the quality of
November 19, 2020
The Environmental Case for Voting in the 2020 Election
By: Jen Walling, Executive Director People often ask for advice on ways that the everyday person can actually make a difference for our environment. Voting
November 2, 2020
Reclaimed Heritage Farm: A year later and a flock larger
By Crystal Kern, Finance Director This year hasn’t been quite what I had in mind when I was saying goodbye to 2019. I’m sure a
October 12, 2020
Jen Walling’s List of Must-see Treasures in Southern Illinois
Many people overlook our natural areas as a major highlight of things Illinois has to offer, but that’s a mistake: Illinois is beautiful.
July 2, 2020
Green Profiling: When Open Spaces Aren’t Open for All
Our work expanding access to open spaces and public lands isn’t done until everyone can safely access these spaces free from discrimination and harassment.
June 30, 2020
10 Great Illinois Spots and the Land and Water Conservation Fund
The LWCF has had an outstanding, though often unrecognized, impact on some of Illinois’ most significant places, from historically meaningful sites to a myriad of recreational spaces including national refuges and urban open spaces.
June 29, 2020
Life Without Running Water During COVID-19
We haven’t done right by the communities most impacted—Black, brown and low income communities—until we’ve guaranteed this vital resource regardless of zipcode, race or ability to pay.
May 4, 2020
The Truth About Illinois, the Great Feeder of the World
We need to accept that we were wrong. We must take a holistic approach to our food system if we want to survive another crisis.
May 1, 2020
Earth Day 50
Today, the world celebrates the 50th anniversary of Earth Day. This milestone provides us all an opportunity to reflect on the progress we’ve made and
April 22, 2020
Our Top Stay-at-Home Sustainability Tips
By Jen Walling | IEC Executive Director When so many of us are spending more time than usual at home due to the novel corona
April 13, 2020
IEC’s Top Tip to Save the Planet: Civics and Advocacy
Looking back on this decade of questions, one of the most commonly asked is, “What is the single most impactful thing an individual can do to help save the planet?”
March 9, 2020
Cover Crops and the 200 Year Nutrient Pollution Gap
Nutrient pollution from excess fertilizer carried downstream by water and erosion is poisoning our drinking water, feeding toxic algal blooms and contributing to a massive deadzone in the Gulf of Mexico.
December 13, 2019
Lead Poisoning Awareness Week
By Iyana Simba | IEC Clean Water Advocate When it came to light in 2014 that residents of Flint, Michigan were exposed to elevated lead
October 25, 2019
Reclaimed Heritage: How Simple Appreciation is Better for Us and the Planet
By Crystal Kern | IEC Finance Director I grew up on a self-sufficient farm in central Kentucky. We had a diverse garden with more plant varieties
September 5, 2019
Introducing IEC Staff Picks
Get to know IEC while picking up a few tips and tricks for protecting the environment Historically, our blog has been a place for IEC
August 6, 2019
July 18, 2019
Team IEC on Capitol Hill
While a majority of our work at the Illinois Environmental Council is focused on passing and implementing environmental policies here in Illinois, we also engage
June 28, 2019
Bringing Lawmakers Out of Their Office Buildings and into Nature
To educate lawmakers on the importance of agriculture and natural resource conservation practices, we connect them with experiences that demonstrate the real-world impacts of their votes in the legislature.
June 11, 2019
Illinois Has the Greenest Cannabis Bill in the Country
With input from the environmental community, Illinois is about to become the national leader for environmental protection in the cannabis industry. Earlier this year, Governor
May 31, 2019
The Critical Need for Water Infrastructure Funding
It is past time for dedicated capital funding for water infrastructure to ensure every Illinoisan has access to clean, affordable water.
March 19, 2019
What joining the US Climate Alliance means for Illinois
As one of his first acts, Governor Pritzker signed Illinois onto the US Climate Alliance
February 7, 2019
Did Illinois just elect the most pro-environment General Assembly ever?
The winners of yesterday’s election will be making decisions that have wide-ranging impacts on Illinois’s environment.
November 7, 2018
Sterigenics, Ethylene Oxide and Human Health
Jen Walling Executive Director, Illinois Environmental Council Without a family history of breast cancer, no one can pinpoint how my mother developed cancer. I was
October 4, 2018
Federal Setbacks and the State of Illinois Energy Policy
By Cary Shepherd Policy Director, Illinois Environmental Council The federal administration unveiled its latest attempt to prevent our nation’s transition to a clean energy economy
August 24, 2018
Legislator Feature: Robyn Gabel
Representative Robyn Gabel has represented the 18th District since 2010, and during that time she has earned a reputation as a champion for environmental issues.
July 18, 2018
How to Pursue a Career Protecting the Environment
By Jen Walling Executive Director, Illinois Environmental Council While I’m sure 12-year-old me would be very proud of my current career (my friend Dorothy and
July 10, 2018
The State of Water Infrastructure in Illinois
More and more emergency situations are arising from substandard water infrastructure, with the tragedy in Flint drawing national attention to this critical issue.
June 13, 2018
IEC Announces League of Conservation Voters Partnership
Innovative Partnership to Hold Elected Officials Accountable and Elevate Environmental Issues Protecting Illinois’ environment is the focus of a new partnership launched today between the
April 10, 2018
IEC Affiliate Interview: Environmental Defense Fund
IEC Interviews: Lavannya PulluveetilClean Energy Fellow, Environmental Defense Fund Meet LavannyaIEC: Please tell us a little bit about yourself and your background. How did you
April 5, 2018
Staff Feature: Lindsay Keeney
By Lindsay KeeneyDownstate Outreach Director, Illinois Environmental Council You can’t protect something you don’t love. Nurtured in central Illinois creek beds that had a tendency
December 18, 2017
Legislator Feature: State Representative Carol Ammons
IEC is excited to release our first “Legislator Feature” on our blog! Through this series, we hope to share with our supporters how legislators think
November 27, 2017
Why the Race for Attorney General Matters for Environmentalists
By Jen WallingExecutive Director, Illinois Environmental Council I’ve never imagined an Illinois where Lisa Madigan was no longer attorney general. She has been an immutable
November 15, 2017
Affiliate Feature: HeartLands Conservancy
By Mary VandervordPresident/CEO, HeartLands Conservancy What’s the mission of your organization?To sustain and enrich the diverse environmental resources of southwestern Illinois. To accomplish our mission
October 5, 2017
2017 Environmental Leadership Dinner in Review
AG Madigan, President Preckwinkle among award winners at the 2017 Environmental Leadership Dinner This past Wednesday, September 27th, IEC hosted our 2017 Environmental Leadership Dinner.
September 29, 2017