Springfield, IL – Today, in response to President Biden signing the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) into law, the Illinois Environmental Council (IEC) released the following statement from Executive Director Jen Walling:
“With President Biden’s signature, we are stepping into a new future, one that works for everyone in Illinois. The Inflation Reduction Act is the single biggest thing our nation has ever done to confront the climate crisis. It demonstrates that we can scale up the kind of equitable, comprehensive climate investments we made in Illinois’ Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA) at the federal level to deliver good jobs and provide economic relief to Illinois families struggling with high gas prices, inflation and devastating fossil-fueled extreme weather.
“Thanks to CEJA, Illinois has a leg up on most other states when it comes to project readiness, and we will be working hard to ensure our state is taking full advantage of the new federal resources becoming available in the coming months.
“Elections matter, and it is more apparent than ever that to address the climate crisis with the urgency that scientists agree we must, electing climate champions to positions of power across all levels of government is mission critical to our success.
“IEC is grateful to the members of Illinois’ Congressional delegation who helped get this historic bill to President Biden’s desk, and we appreciate the President’s leadership in getting this bill negotiated and across the finish line. We have true climate champions fighting for our future.”
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Since 1975, the Illinois Environmental Council (IEC) has worked to safeguard Illinois—its people, its plants and animals, and the natural systems on which all life depends by building power for people and the environment. Representing over 100 environmental organizations operating in Illinois and over 500 individuals in the state, IEC carries out its mission to advance public policies that create healthy environments across Illinois through education, advocacy and movement building. For more, visit ilenviro.org.