Priceless Bell Bowl Prairie Demolished in Rockford, IL
Advocates respond, calling the destruction ‘devastating’ Rockford, IL – Much of the ancient Bell Bowl Prairie was demolished this morning as bulldozers for the Greater
March 9, 2023
Press Releases
Media Contact:
Tucker Barry, IEC Communications Director
tucker@ilenviro.org
Gov. Pritzker Signs Legislation Protecting Clean Energy Projects
SPRINGFIELD, IL – Gov. JB Pritzker signed legislation protecting Illinois-based clean energy projects from a growing number of local bans. HB4412 prevents counties from enacting
February 6, 2023
Ahead of 2023 municipal election, the Illinois Environmental Council Releases Alderpersons’ Environmental Voting Records, Recommendations for Chicago’s Next Mayoral Term
(CHICAGO) – Today, the Illinois Environmental Council (IEC) released its 2023 Mayoral Report and 2023 Chicago City Council Environmental Scorecard. With a range of environmental
February 2, 2023
Bill Defending CEJA and Protecting Local Clean Energy Projects Passes During Lame Duck Session
SPRINGFIELD, IL – A bill protecting Illinois-based clean energy projects from a growing number of local bans passed today during the Illinois General Assembly’s lame
January 11, 2023
STATEMENT: IEC Voices Support for Chicago’s Proposed FY2023 Budget
CHICAGO – Illinois Environmental Council Executive Director Jen Walling released the following statement in anticipation of today’s City Council budget consideration: “The City of Chicago’s
November 7, 2022
IEC Statement on President Biden Signing the Inflation Reduction Act into Law
Springfield, IL – Today, in response to President Biden signing the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) into law, the Illinois Environmental Council (IEC) released the following
August 16, 2022
IEC Statement on U.S. House Passage of Historic Climate Action Investments in the Inflation Reduction Act
Springfield, IL – Today, in response to the U.S. House of Representatives’ passage of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), the Illinois Environmental Council (IEC) released
August 12, 2022
IEC Statement on Senate Passage of the Inflation Reduction Act
Springfield, IL – Today, in response to Senate passage of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), the Illinois Environmental Council (IEC) released the following statement from
August 7, 2022
IEC Statement in Response to Leader Schumer and Sen. Manchin’s Agreement on Reconciliation Bill with Climate Provisions
CHICAGO – In response to Majority Leader Schumer and Senator Manchin’s announcements of an agreement to add the ‘Inflation Reduction Act of 2022,’ which reportedly
July 28, 2022
IEC’s Statement on Senator Manchin’s Refusal to Support Climate Action
Springfield, IL – In response to the news that Senator Manchin will not support climate action in the Senate reconciliation deal, the Illinois Environmental Council
July 15, 2022
IEC Statement Regarding SCOTUS Decision on West Virginia v. Environmental Protection Agency
The Supreme Court put profits before people. Illinois must quickly implement CEJA to cut costs, create jobs, and protect our communities.
June 30, 2022
IEC’s Statement on The Supreme Court’s Dobbs v. Jackson Decision
IEC stands today in frustration, sadness and solidarity with all Americans who need accessible abortion healthcare. One of the core goals of our work as
June 24, 2022
IEC’s Statement on Uvalde & Gun Violence
Chicago, IL – Jen Walling, Executive Director of the Illinois Environmental Council released the following statement on the tragedy in Uvalde, TX: “It is beyond time
May 25, 2022
League of Conservation Voters 2021 National Scorecard Shows Illinois Delegation Strongly Support Our Environment and Democracy
Springfield, IL – Today, the Illinois Environmental Council (IEC), state affiliate of the League of Conservation Voters (LCV), announced the Illinois congressional delegation’s scores on
March 2, 2022
500+ Illinoisans Mobilize in Support of Environmental Justice Legislation
Hundreds Rally for Passage of Industrial Permitting Reform, Protections for Power Plant Communities, Voting Rights and more SPRINGFIELD, IL – More than 500 Illinoisans mobilized
February 18, 2022
Statement: Illinois Environmental Council Applauds Southeast Side Community in General Iron Victory
Lightfoot Administration Upholds Commitment to Environmental Justice and Public Health Note: This content was circulated exclusively on social media and not distributed to the press.
February 18, 2022
Secretary Buttigieg in Bloomington-Normal Celebrating New Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Investments
Illinois Uniquely Positioned to Create Jobs with Federal Investments BLOOMINGTON-NORMAL, IL – Tomorrow, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg will travel to the Bloomington-Normal metropolitan area to
February 11, 2022
Statement: Gov. Pritzker’s FY23 Budget Proposal a Historic Commitment to Climate Solutions
(Springfield, IL) – Today, the Illinois Environmental Council (IEC) reacted to Gov. JB Pritzker’s annual State of the State address and FY23 budget proposal issuing
February 2, 2022
Environmental Organizations Call on the City of Chicago to do Right by Southeast Siders
As disrespectful text messages surface, environmental groups back Southeast Side residents CHICAGO – Yesterday, reporting by the Chicago Tribune uncovered an alarming series of text
December 10, 2021
Statement on U.S. House Passage of the Build Back Better Act, Once-in-a-Generation Climate Legislation
Springfield, IL — The Illinois Environmental Council issued the following statement in response to the passage of historic climate legislation in the U.S. House of
November 19, 2021
Statement: Illinois Environmental Council Issues Statement on President Biden’s Build Back Better Act Framework Announcement
Springfield, IL — Today, following President Biden’s announcement of a new framework for his Build Back Better Act, the Illinois Environmental Council issued the following
October 28, 2021
Statement: Illinois Environmental Council Applauds Chicago’s Approved FY2022 Budget
CHICAGO — The Illinois Environmental Council issued the following statement of support following Chicago’s Fiscal Year 2022 budget vote: “The Illinois Environmental Council applauds Mayor
October 27, 2021
Illinois Environmental Organizations Respond to Gov. Pritzker Signing Midwest Electric Vehicle Agreement
Call on Governor to Next Tackle Polluting Emissions from Large Trucks CHICAGO– The Illinois Environmental Council (IEC) and other environmental organizations noted below issued the
October 1, 2021
48 State Legislators Score 100% on Illinois Environmental Council Scorecard
(SPRINGFIELD, IL) – The Illinois Environmental Council (IEC) released its 2021 Legislative Environmental Scorecard today. The scorecard, which is released annually, assigns a percentage score
September 28, 2021
Illinois Environmental Council Celebrates the Passage of the Native Plants Gardens Registry Ordinance
CHICAGO (Sept. 14, 2021) — Today, the Illinois Environmental Council (IEC) issued the following statement on the unanimous passage of the Native Plants Gardens Registry
September 14, 2021
Statement Celebrating the Committee Passage of the Native Gardens Registry Ordinance
CHICAGO (Sept. 13, 2021) — Today, the Illinois Environmental Council (IEC) issued the following statement on the passage of the Native Plants Gardens Registry Ordinance
September 13, 2021
Illinois Environmental Council Celebrates Final Passage of Nation-leading Comprehensive and Equitable Climate Legislation in Illinois
SPRINGFIELD, IL (September 13, 2021) – Following is a statement from the Illinois Environmental Council (IEC) Executive Director Jen Walling on today’s historic Senate vote
September 13, 2021
Illinois Environmental Council statement on today’s Senate vote on Climate and Equitable Jobs Act
Statement from Jen Walling, executive director of the Illinois Environmental Council (IEC) ahead of today’s Senate energy vote: “IEC is cheering the Senate on today
September 13, 2021
Statement: Illinois Environmental Council on latest energy bill agreement
“Representing more than 100 Illinois environmental organizations, we stand in support of SB2408, the comprehensive climate and equitable jobs act that will tackle the climate
September 9, 2021
Illinois Environmental Council celebrates house passage of Climate and Equitable Jobs Act
Springfield, IL (September 9, 2021) — The Illinois Environmental Council Executive Director Jen Walling issued the following statement on the House passage of the Climate
September 9, 2021
Statement: Illinois Environmental Council on latest version of energy bill
CHICAGO (August 30, 2021)–Following is a statement from Jen Walling, executive director of the Illinois Environmental Council, on the latest climate and energy bill released
August 30, 2021
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker Signs Bill to Replace Toxic Lead Service Lines
New law requires replacement of lead lines, prompts calls for federal funds from Congress CHICAGO (August 30, 2021) – Gov. JB Pritzker signed into law
August 30, 2021
New Law Will Preserve Homeowners’ Solar Rights
Gov. Pritzker’s signature provides needed protections against solar access restrictions. SPRINGFIELD, IL (July 28, 2021) — Gov. JB Pritzker signed legislation protecting Illinoisans’ right to
July 28, 2021
Chicago Alderpersons Earning Top Marks on Inaugural Environmental Scorecard Announced
The Illinois Environmental Council Releases First Chicago City Council Scorecard, Recognizes Green Champions at Mid-term (CHICAGO) – Today, the Illinois Environmental Council (IEC) released its
June 10, 2021
Illinois General Assembly Approves Bill That Will Eliminate Toxic Lead Service Lines
Bill requires replacement of lead lines, and establishes state grant and technical assistance program to support communities in this effort (SPRINGFIELD, IL) –Following a concurring
June 1, 2021
House Transportation Committee Passes Resolution Urging Gov. Pritzker to Join Multi-State Agreement to Electrify Medium- and Heavy-Duty Vehicles
SPRINGFIELD, IL – Today, the House Transportation Committee passed a resolution urging Gov. JB Pritzker to sign Illinois onto a multi-state memorandum of understanding (MOU)
May 26, 2021
Chicago Environmental Justice Network Puts Forward Proposal to Address Cumulative Pollution Impact on Environmental Justice Communities
Bill would protect environmental justice communities from further industrial pollution (SPRINGFIELD, IL) – The Chicago Environmental Justice Network and the Pritzker administration today reaffirmed their
May 26, 2021
Illinois Senate to Vote on Bill That Would Eliminate Toxic Lead Service Lines in Illinois
Bill would protect public health, safe drinking water for millions of Illinoisans SPRINGFIELD, IL (May 13, 2021) – Following bipartisan passage by the Illinois House
May 13, 2021
1,000 Illinoisans Urge Lawmakers to Back Environmental Justice Bills at Virtual Lobby Day
Hundreds Rally for Passage of the Clean Energy Jobs Act, Toxic Lead Service Line Removal and New Air Permitting Reforms SPRINGFIELD, IL — Today, 1,000
April 26, 2021
Illinois Environmental Council Announces Illinois’ 2021 Environmental Legislative Agenda
Agenda Tackles Clean Energy, Clean Water, Sustainable Agriculture, Wildlife Protections and More SPRINGFIELD, IL — On behalf of their over 100 member affiliate organizations, the
March 24, 2021
New Bill Would Eliminate Toxic Lead Service Lines in Illinois, Protect Drinking Water Standards and Public Health
State legislators and advocates introduce legislation that would create a plan, funding, and timeline for the removal of all lead service lines in Illinois SPRINGFIELD,
February 22, 2021
Chicago City Council to Take Up Native Gardens Protections
New Native Garden Registry to Curb Discriminatory Crackdown, Protect the Environment CHICAGO — Today, advocates joined Alderman Brian Hopkins (2nd Ward-Chicago) and a dozen other
January 27, 2021
IEC Statement on Election of Emanuel “Chris” Welch as New Speaker of the Illinois House
The Illinois Environmental Council released the following statement regarding the election of State Representative Emanuel “Chris” Welch as the new speaker of the Illinois House
January 13, 2021
IEC Statement on Trump Admin’s Pending Deployment of Federal Officers in Chicago
The Illinois Environmental Council issued the following statement regarding the Trump admin’s pending deployment of federal officers in Chicago: CHICAGO – The continued uprisings following
July 21, 2020
IEC Responds to Trump Administration Rollback of Clean Car Standards
The Illinois Environmental Council issued the following statement in response to the Trump administration’s rollback of Clean Car Standards: SPRINGFIELD, IL – In the midst
March 31, 2020
Illinois Environmental Council Announces Congressional Delegation Scores from LCV’s 2019 National Environmental Scorecard
CHICAGO — The Illinois Environmental Council, the state affiliate of the League of Conservation Voters, today announced the Illinois delegation’s scores on the League of
March 12, 2020
Hundreds Rally for Clean Energy in Springfield
Over 700 gather to call for the Clean Energy Jobs Act SPRINGFIELD, IL – Today, over 700 hundred community leaders, environmental and renewable energy advocates,
March 4, 2020
Lawmakers, Advocates Introduce ‘Plastic-free Water for Illinois Platform’
Lawmakers, environmental groups, and consumer advocates bring the fight for plastic-free water to the General Assembly SPRINGFIELD, IL – Today, State Rep. Ann Williams, State
February 18, 2020
Broad Coalition Calls for Statewide Drug Take-back Program
Illinois legislators and advocates introduce The Illinois Drug Take-back Act CHICAGO – Today, state lawmakers, environmental and public health groups, along with business, public safety
February 13, 2020
IEC Responds to Gov. Pritzker’s Climate Remarks
SPRINGFIELD, IL — Today, Illinois Environmental Council Executive Director Jen Walling released the following statement in response to Gov. JB Pritzker’s remarks regarding climate change
January 29, 2020