MEDIA & PRESS
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How Local Food Systems Can Transform School Lunchrooms and Brighten Futures
With locally-grown food in their diets, students have stopped getting fast food and vending machine snacks for lunch, feel sustained until dinner time, and are more alert in class. The students have also grown closer to the cafeteria staff and gained a greater appreciation for food and where it comes from. IEC pays a visit to Pawnee Schools to see their farm-to-table school lunch program!
Space to Grow: Greening Chicago One Playground At A Time
As the climate crisis looms and the unending pace of development threatens natural spaces across the country, it is imperative that green initiatives are advanced and that the benefits of those initiatives are shared among those who are already experiencing the impacts of the climate crisis.
Taking Flight: The Story Behind Illinois’ Long Awaited Monarch License Plates
Here’s some conservation news years in the making: in 2016, Illinois passed a law greenlighting a monarch license plate decal which would generate funding for pollinator habitat in IL. A few years, and 2,000 pledges from enviros later and the Decal is finally here!
Out of Office: Looking Back on the 2023 Legislative Tour Season
Our 2023 Legislative Tour season has come to an end, which means it’s time to take a look back on all the amazing places we took legislators and other key decision-makers to over the past few months.
Trust the Land: Looking at the Impacts of the Natural Areas Stewardship Act
The Natural Areas Stewardship Act allows IDNR to award grants to conservationists like land trusts. Now, over 5 years into the law, take a look back at the impacts of this bill with IEC’s Conservation Director Lindsay Keeney— the wins, progress made and the work that couldn’t have been done without it.
Congratulations, Chicago Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson
By: Iyana Simba, City Programs Director The Illinois Environmental Council congratulates incoming Chicago Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson on their recent election victory. We are excited to
IN THE MEDIA
Only Two States Have Passed ‘Right to Garden’ Laws. Will Others Follow?
In 2018, a friend who owned a nearby garden store connected Virgil with a state senator. That introduction planted a seed of an idea: what
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
‘A year head start’: How advocates say Illinois is in a good position for federal climate spending
Rather than each state receiving a formula-driven amount of funds — much like how last year’s major infrastructure law operates — the states that will
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
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,
Watch IEC Federal Policy Director, Brian Gill, on Chicago Tonight
“Could Indiana’s business loss be Illinois’ gain? Plus, the outgoing local head of the FBI, a local congressman just back from a controversial visit to
PRESS RELEASES
Sen. Ellman, Rep. Moeller, Community Advocates Announce Legislation to Protect Illinois Wetlands After U.S. Supreme Court Overreach
(Springfield, IL) – Today, Illinois Senator Laura Ellman (District 21) and State Representative Anna Moeller (District 43) joined forces with community advocates to announce the “Wetlands
Agriculture and Environmental Experts Comment on Release of Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Report, Call for Greater Accountability and Leadership to Protect Health of Lands and Waters
Springfield, IL (December 1, 2023) — Experts from five organizations representing agriculture, environmental policy, and conservation across Illinois released statements on the recent Nutrient Loss
Illinois Environmental Council Applauds Milestone in Monarch Butterfly License Plate Specialty Decal Project
Monarch Decals to Soon Be in the Hands of Interested Illinois Drivers CHICAGO – Today, the Illinois Secretary of State’s Office, in a joint announcement
Chicago City Council Takes Historic Vote to Re-establish the City’s Department of Environment After its Dissolution Over a Decade Ago
CHICAGO, IL – After over a decade without one, Chicago’s City Council today made the historic move to re-establish the city’s Department of Environment (DOE).
State Legislators Earn Coveted Top Marks for Their Environmental Voting Record
Illinois Environmental Council Releases Annual Scorecard (SPRINGFIELD, IL) – The Illinois Environmental Council (IEC) released its 2023 Legislative Environmental Scorecard today. The scorecard, which is
Governor Pritzker Vetoes Legislation That Would Have Allowed Ameren to Monopolize Transmission Projects
Illinois — Today, Governor JB Pritzker issued an amendatory veto on HB3445—legislation that would have given Ameren, the private utility company that serves much of