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IEC Blog

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 impressive. We look forward to their contributions as we build power for people and for the environment. Reverend Darnell Johnson, IEC Darnell Johnson is the CEO and President of Urban Efficiency Group (UEG), Illinois’ first native, minority-owned utility implementation and sustainability design firm. Darnell is a spiritual and social architect, with over two decades of entrepreneurial and social science experience. His commitment to engineering solutions that humanizes the socio-economic existence of under-resourced communities and advancing energy equity in pursuit of achieving is fundamental to all of his work. Angela Foster-Rice, IECEF Angela is Senior Vice President of Strategic Business Development at Everland where she leverages her 20+ years of experience in sustainability, environmental policy and as an environmental attorney to help companies elevate their environmental

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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 life for all– our communities, plants, animals and ecosystems. As imperfect as it is at the federal, state and municipal levels, and although governments cannot solve all of our problems, it is where we know we can make the most impactful change. We simply cannot carry out our mission of advancing public policies that create healthy environments in Illinois without fully functional and accessible government. That’s why we fight to make government more accessible, more transparent and to work better for our people and our environment. From environmentally focused town halls, to our popular civics workshops, to our annual scorecard, bridging the divide between Illinoisans and our systems of government is central to our work and our success. Civic participation is an organizational value at

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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 always makes my top five list. Here’s why: Elections deeply impact environmental policy. So I hope that you have already voted or plan to cast your vote before the polls close tomorrow.  With Election Day right around the corner, I want to take the time to remind you that your vote matters. I understand that some people have grown skeptical of this premise, but let me offer a bit of proof for why I know this to be true. In 2014–just six years ago–a resolution denying climate change, supporting coal, and opposing the federal Clean Power Plan passed the Illinois House with a vote of 66-32. Environmentalists fought hard to defeat this resolution, but ultimately, the majority of the General Assembly voted in favor of

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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 lot of folks feel the same.  It has only been a year since the last blog about my farm, Reclaimed Heritage.  We had well organized plans of planting various crops and trees this year but COVID had other plans. Regardless, I’m welcoming each day with a new perspective and open mind. Okra Eggplant Pumpkin Cucumber Oxheart Tomato Previous Next Now more than ever, food security is on people’s mind as we see issues such as the right to garden and cottage food laws becoming significant topics of discussion.  Our family is fortunate enough to have the space to grow a big vegetable garden.  As I write this, I’m reminded of the food I have available right now just a short walk from my door. I’m

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October 12, 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 the work we still have to do. The Illinois Environmental Council formed shortly after the first Earth Day in 1975, as leaders in the state looked to convert the excitement of the time into a vehicle for lasting change.  We reached out to a few long-standing members of IEC to get their perspectives to share with you. Virginia Scott joined IEC in 1977 and later assumed the role of executive director. Virginia remains involved with IEC today, and is one of my personal heroes. She recalls that,“IEC rode in on the first wave of environmental enthusiasm that we experienced in the 1970’s. Grassroots environmentalists saw a lack of presence for their cause at the State Capitol and asked ‘Can we work together? Do we want

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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 virus, Team IEC is sharing some of our favorite home sustainability tips and resources to help give a boost to our planet and your pocketbook. If you’ve had a chance to check out our blog post about the most important thing you can do to help save our planet, you already know that one of our top tips is to build relationships with your neighbors. You’ll have to read our post to find out why, but in the meantime, now is a great time to check in on your neighbors, especially those living alone– from a safe distance, of course. So far, members of our team at IEC have been able to offer a much-needed toilet paper rescue to one neighbor and received surplus bananas

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April 13, 2020