Dear Enviros,
At the Illinois Environmental Council, we believe that every single Illinoisan needs and deserves to live in a place with healthy, thriving natural ecosystems and democratic institutions. While that’s at the heart of our mission to build power for people and the environment, it’s also at odds with the Trump administration’s dubious approach to addressing our most pressing environmental challenges.
Progress is Possible
During his last presidential term, Trump and his appointees rolled back over 100 federal environmental protection regulations. His new playbook, Project 2025, outlines plans to strip away longstanding US EPA environmental protections that reduce air and water pollution, hand out tax breaks and sell off public lands to big oil and gas companies, and gut clean energy incentives that benefit working families. What’s more, the cabinet members he’s hand-selecting are proudly anti-science and anti-environment. In other words, we’re anticipating additional devastating rollbacks and missed opportunities to protect people and our environment in the upcoming Trump term.
While people here and across the country will feel the negative impacts of Trump’s misguided approach, we are incredibly fortunate to live in a place where progress forward is not only possible, but with the right investment, it’s all but certain.
Safeguarding Our Communities Together
IEC and our affiliate member organizations have already laid the groundwork to build on the success of the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act, doubling down on our state’s climate and equity goals while creating good-paying clean energy jobs, transforming our aging transportation systems, and safeguarding our communities from toxic pollution. It’s time to take the next big steps in our fight for people and the environment, and we are ready.
If IEC supporters like you invest wisely right now here at home in Illinois, we will have the resources we need to combat the spread of misinformation and leapfrog other states in the race to tackle the climate crisis and bring economic opportunities to our communities.
We’ve all seen the nastiness that unfolds when walls go up and conversation breaks down. IEC is the convening force for Illinois’ environmental movement – the exact opposite of the destructive rhetoric we’ve all grown so tired of. We bring together experts and advocates to reach consensus around shared priorities and complementary strategies.
A Key Moment in History
An investment in IEC is an investment in our unique, proven approach that sees winning results. We’re at a key moment in history. Climate scientists agree that if we are to address the climate crisis in time to protect future generations from its worst impacts, we can’t afford to waste time arguing, and we especially cannot go backward in our progress.
Luckily, we don’t have to wait another four years to make changes that will protect the people and places we hold dear. We can solve significant environmental challenges right now within our communities of friends and neighbors.
The work ahead will require all hands on deck during these uncertain times. IEC is staying the course. We’ll be building power for people and the environment by leaning into our unique role as the convener of Illinois’ environmental movement in pursuit of strong, equitable policy solutions to our greatest environmental challenges.
With grit and gratitude,
Jen Walling
Be a partner in this approach and contribute to our Fight Back Fund today!
About Jen
Jen Walling has served as the Executive Director for the Illinois Environmental Council since January 2011, where she oversees the strategic direction and management of the organization and lobbies decision-makers on environmental issues. Jen is dedicated to building the power of Illinois’ environmental community to secure policy outcomes that protect the environment.