PRESS RELEASE

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 Representatives:

“Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the strongest climate bill in United States history. Thank you Reps. Bustos, Casten, Davis, Foster, Garcia, Kelly, Krishnamoorthi, Newman, Quigley, Rush, Schakowsky, Schneider and Underwood for your tireless leadership and for supporting this transformative legislation. We commend you for listening to frontline communities, farmers, labor unions, youth climate activists, parents and all of the concerned Illinoisans who demanded action.

“This bill meets the moment that science and justice demand by putting the U.S. on track to save people $500 a year on their energy bills, cut climate pollution in half by 2030, invest directly in communities of color too often left behind, and create good-paying union jobs. Building on the nation-leading climate and equity legislation passed by the Illinois General Assembly this year, the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA), this legislation will sustain and create millions of good-paying union jobs, while saving people money on their energy bills.

“We are also grateful for the leadership of Sens. Duckworth and Durbin and their upcoming work to pass the Build Back Better Act through the U.S. Senate as quickly as possible and urge them to ensure these critical climate investments are included in the Senate version of the bill. Illinoisans simply cannot wait any longer.”

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