In the Media

Media Contact:

Tucker Barry, IEC Communications Director
tucker@ilenviro.org

Climate cash coming to Illinois

“This week President Biden is expected to sign the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), which includes an unprecedented $370 billion for climate change mitigation. Why it matters: Much of the climate money is directed at getting folks like us to switch to more sustainable sources of energy for our homes and transportation. When it

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Greenhouse Rebellion with Brian Gill

Brian is the Federal Policy Director for the Illinois Environmental Council. He’s just the person to talk to about how Illinois might benefit. Before the interview, I shared an update about the Shawnee National Park progress. Also, this show was recorded on the eve of a super moon

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What does the Inflation Reduction Act do for Illinois?

This investment is part of the $369 billion in clean energy investments, said Jennifer Walling, executive director at the Illinois Environmental Council. For the state, it could both maintain and attract new workers, she said. “This bill will supercharge what we’ve done to create equitable jobs and tackle

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Rescue our beloved and endangered monarch butterflies

“The loss of food sources, the loss of habitat and pesticides are a triple threat for monarchs,” Jennifer Walling, executive director of the Illinois Environmental Council, told us. Because Illinois is an important state for migrating monarchs, “Illinois should do more than the federal government,” Walling said. The

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Chicago Releases First City Plan in More Than 50 Years

Iyana Simba, city programs director with the Illinois Environmental Council was the co-chair of environment, climate and energy for We Will Chicago. She said the plan recognizes a disinvestment in equitable policy and how that translates to health impacts, like the impact of industry and pollution, especially on Black, Latino

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Why state parks will stop offering plastic flatware and cups

Jen Walling, executive director of the Illinois Environmental Council, said that though the new law is just one step forward, it’s an important one. “It’s definitely not enough. It’s not the end, but I think it’s a pilot in the most sensitive areas,” Walling said. “Our state parks

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Reaction to SCOTUS EPA Decision

One of the 18 decisions released by the US Supreme Court in June 2022: West Virginia vs. Environmental Protection Agency. The Supreme Court ruled in favor of West Virginia, limiting the EPA of its power to regulate carbon emissions from existing power plants. The ruling raises more questions

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Illinois leads on climate action

“While CEJA shoots for a 46% reduction in statewide emissions from 2005 levels by 2030, the RMI modeling estimates the state is on track to achieve just about 22%. What they’re saying: “The scorecard … reminds us of the importance of emissions limits and holding industry accountable,” Samira Hanessian

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EXPLAINER: Why Court’s EPA-Climate Change Ruling Matters

Jeffrey Trevino, an EPA lawyer and Steward of the AFGE Local 704 — that’s the union that represents local EPA Workers; Phillip Braun, a Clinical Professor of Finance at the  Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University; James Taylor, President of the Heartland Institute, and Jennifer Walling, the

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Legislating for Climate Justice Starts With Listening

“Jennifer Walling, Executive Director of the Illinois Environmental Council (IEC), told me that, without any other offer of resources, expecting feedback on a 500-page draft bill was an unrealistic ask. As a result, FEJA did not include potential insights from community members that could have strengthened the equity

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Gong-Gershowitz drug take-back bill passes Illinois House

“Proper disposal of prescription drugs will work to protect Illinois’ wildlife, waterways and drinking water. We are grateful to Rep. Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz for her leadership and to the business community for working to reach agreement on this important policy,” Jen Walling, executive director of the Illinois Environmental Council,

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BP Agrees to $500K Penalty, Soot Limits at Indiana Refinery

“Environmentalists express ongoing concerns for air pollution in the Chicagoland area. “Chicago Tonight” discusses the environmental impacts of local refineries and more with Jen Walling, executive director of the Illinois Environmental Council, and Eric Schaeffer, executive director of the Environmental Integrity Project and a former enforcement director with

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Do Illinois’ transportation plans match its climate promises?

Illinois leaders have congratulated themselves on the passage of climate legislation and committed to upholding the promises in the Paris Climate Agreement. However, some are pointing out that Illinois has plans to widen and expand roads, which could encourage more vehicular traffic and increase emissions. We were joined

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Governor Pritzker signs electric vehicle legislation

“The Reimagining Electric Vehicles in Illinois Act creates incentives for businesses to build electric cars in the state. Reset asks EV advocates if this law will be implemented equitably. GUESTS: Neda Deylami, electric vehicle advocate Jen Walling, executive director for the Illinois Environmental Council” Listen to the full

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Biden Claims Historic Progress on Climate Efforts at Summit

President Joe Biden argued Tuesday that historic progress on addressing global warming was achieved at the U.N. climate conference in Glasgow, Scotland, and expressed optimism for a similar outcome in Washington, where his legislative agenda has been stalled by intra-party disagreements. Speaking in a press conference before boarding

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New Law Protects Illinois Homeowners’ Access to Solar

“The benefits of this legislation go far beyond any single rooftop,” states Colleen Smith, deputy director of the Illinois Environmental Council. “We can make meaningful progress on carbon reduction and reaching our climate goals by getting everyone involved, and breaking down barriers to solar will lead to cleaner air,

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Northbrook board takes further steps toward sustainability

“Northbrook resident Rod Burton, professor emeritus of aerospace engineering at the University of Illinois, said there was no mention of nuclear power, a fuel source he said provides 66% of electricity in Illinois, with sustainable sources contributing 17%. (The Illinois Environmental Council said as of March 2019 Illinois nuclear comprised

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Clean Energy Bill Stalls, But Supporters Still Optimistic for Passage

“Jennifer Walling, executive director of the Illinois Environmental Council, Mark Denzler, president and CEO of the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association, Jack Darin, director of the Sierra Club’s Illinois chapter, and Delmar Gillus, chief operating officer at Elevate Energy, join Phil Ponce to discuss the prospects for a bill that

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Environmentalists push for lead pipe phase out

“‘Even though we say there are around 680 thousand lead service lines in Illinois, there could be much more than that, and there are communities that aren’t aware their own lead service line could be disrupted and cause issues for them and their family,’ Colleen Smith with the

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State Announces New Spending Plan After Volkswagen Settlement

“The Illinois Environmental Council welcomes the announcement from Governor Pritzker and the IEPA that they intend to revise the state’s VW settlement spending plan after seeking public input. Despite the transportation sector being the leading source of carbon emissions in Illinois, the previous administration left Illinois with a

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The Future of Renewable Energy

“This year in Springfield, lawmakers are advancing at least six different bills aimed at making the state’s energy industry more green. The Clean Energy Jobs Act aims to make Illinois 100 percent reliant on clean and renewable energy by 2050. The Path To 100 is a similar plan and supporters

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New Report Examines Law at Center of ComEd Bribery Scheme

It comes as clean energy advocates are also pressing for a massive energy package to prop up renewable energy. The Illinois Environmental Council’s Jennifer Walling says that would help to address the multifold crises of the ComEd corruption issues, climate change, high unemployment and a cliff for jobs

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Transportation Advocates Seek Guarantee Transit Won’t Shut Down In Event of Post-Election Unrest

“Black and Brown communities are disproportionately reliant on public transportation, specifically buses, and so are disproportionately harmed when service is abruptly changed or stopped without warning,” the petition reads. “Shutting down transportation is not the solution and creates undue hardships, especially for essential workers and Black and Brown Chicago

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