2025 Food Systems Townhall
Is Illinois on the right track? Help shape IEC’s Food Systems policy priorities as we head into 2026.
2025 Food Systems Townhall Read More »
Agriculture
Wrapping Up the 2025 Illinois Legislative Session
Our team has been on the ground at the Capitol for the last five months, all the way up until the final moments this evening. And you’ve been right there with us.
Wrapping Up the 2025 Illinois Legislative Session Read More »
A Sprint to Accelerate Illinois’ Clean Energy Progress
With two full weeks of the legislative session left before the May 31 deadline, IEC is working overtime to ensure our priorities cross the finish line.
A Sprint to Accelerate Illinois’ Clean Energy Progress Read More »
Illinois Has Your Back, Mother Earth
We can’t count on Washington to do right for the environment. Good thing Illinois’ environmental movement is on top of it.
Illinois Has Your Back, Mother Earth Read More »
Defining Illinois’ Federal Strategy for Environmental Advocacy
Facing federal funding cuts impacting our state’s environment, we immediately determined we could help IEC members sift through the federal chaos and grow our federal advocacy presence.
Defining Illinois’ Federal Strategy for Environmental Advocacy Read More »
Federal Funding Cuts are Hurting Small Farmers
Illinois’ farmers can’t wait around for the federal government to decide if critical agriculture programs are worthwhile. Their livelihoods are on the line.
Federal Funding Cuts are Hurting Small Farmers Read More »
Concerns about CAFOs, local farmer Chad Wallace explains challenges of the agriculture industry
Chad Wallace is the director of rural affairs for the Illinois Environmental Council and a lifelong farmer. He spoke to Community Voices about the impact of Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) or factory farms. He explained what CAFOs are, their prevalence in Illinois and the concerns communities have about their environmental impact. Additionally, Chad shared
Conservation Advocacy in Illinois
We’re midway through the legislative session. Our team has been hard at work this week rounding up roll call votes for many of the bills we’ve been tracking.
Conservation Advocacy in Illinois Read More »
Tackling Plastic Pollution in Illinois
Our legislative team at IEC has been working hard to ensure our bill sponsors have the tools and public support to advance our agenda this session.
Tackling Plastic Pollution in Illinois Read More »
Federal Funding Freeze Halts IL EATS Program
The deputy director of the Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) says the Trump administration’s federal funding freeze has halted the Illinois EATS program. Kristi Jones tells Brownfield it was part of the USDA funded Local Food Purchase Assistance Program. “Those reimbursement dollars are how we fund the lead agencies, the farmers, and the food.” She
Federal Funding Freeze Halts IL EATS Program Read More »
IL CAFOs on rise as industry remains underregulated
Illinois is known for having some of the weakest environmental laws for concentrated animal feeding operations, with a lack of oversight and public transparency for the entire process. A coalition of rural landowners is working to change it. In Illinois, it is estimated there are more than 21,000 concentrated animal feeding operations. Chad Wallace, director of rural affairs
IL CAFOs on rise as industry remains underregulated Read More »
Building Power to Confront Illinois’ Factory Farms
Chad Wallace tells the tale of how he met the farmer who inspired our investigation into Illinois’ factory farms.
Building Power to Confront Illinois’ Factory Farms Read More »
Empowering Environmental Champions: 2024 Legislative Tours
To educate decision-makers on the importance of environmental stewardship, we connect them with experiences that demonstrate the real-world impacts of their votes in the General Assembly.
Empowering Environmental Champions: 2024 Legislative Tours Read More »
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!
How Local Food Systems Can Transform School Lunchrooms and Brighten Futures Read More »
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 Reduction Strategy (NLRS) biennial report, developed by the Illinois Department of Agriculture and Illinois Environmental Protection Agency. While the point-source sector, primarily sewage treatment facilities, continues to progress in reducing
Advocates Praise Senate Bill 1701 Passage as Critical Step Forward for Illinois Soil and Water Health
SPRINGFIELD, IL – The passage of Senate Bill 1701 advances agriculture conservation in Illinois by supporting farming practices that will yield healthier, stronger soils and cleaner water across the state, advocates said today. Legislators approved Senate Bill 1701 as part of the final days of the spring legislative session in Springfield. It now goes to
Illinois environmental bills seek to improve soil health, ban state use of polystyrene foam containers
Several pieces of environmental legislation are making their way through the Illinois General Assembly on what was scheduled to be the final week of the spring legislative session. The proposals range from shifting the state’s procurement requirements to a measure aimed at improving soil health on Illinois farms. But environmental advocates gave mixed reviews on
Conservation and Agriculture Town Hall
Monday, November 14 | 6-7:30 pm | Register via Zoom using the form below IEC is hosting a series of three town halls for our supporters. At the Conservation and Agriculture Town Hall, participants will hear from IEC and our partners on the most pressing issues facing Illinois and our current advocacy plans. We’re reserving
Conservation and Agriculture Town Hall Read More »
Agriculture Lease Agreements with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources
Lindsay Keeney and Eliot Clay sit down with Mike Chandler and Bob Caveny of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) to discuss the department’s agriculture lease program.
Agriculture Lease Agreements with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources Read More »
Livestock Operations
The Livestock Facilities Management Act regulates large animal facilities that house thousands of hogs, chicken, or cows. It is also used to actively supersede local control of the siting and construction of these types of facilities. Danielle Diamond from the Socially Responsible Agriculture Project and Albert Ettinger, attorney, will review the laws concerning livestock operations.
Livestock Operations Read More »