IEC 2025 Chicago Budget Analysis
IEC City Programs Director, Iyana Simba, provides an in-depth analysis of Mayor Brandon Johnson’s proposed Chicago FY2025 budget.
IEC 2025 Chicago Budget Analysis Read More »
Chicago
Plastic Pollution in Chicago
Over the past few years, Illinois has seen plastic waste reduction legislative victories in Springfield. Advocates in its largest city, Chicago, seek to implement similar legislation to protect Lake Michigan and other water resources from dangerous microplastic pollution.
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Protecting Chicago’s Wetlands
Wetlands–home to a dazzling array of plants and animals–stand between us and some of the worst effects of climate change. Advocates in Chicago urge decision-makers to implement policy solutions to protect these incredible ecosystems.
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Lead Service Line Replacement in Chicago
For many Chicagoans, especially folks living on the City’s south and west sides, lead service line pollution is a daily reality. For households served by some of the city’s almost 400,000 lead service lines, this lack of access to clean water continues to be an environmental injustice.
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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.
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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). With the passage of the 2024 Chicago Budget, the City Council voted to allocate $1.8 mil to re-establish the Department. The Illinois Environmental Council’s (IEC) City Programs Director Iyana Simba
A Closer Look: Mayor Johnson’s FY2024 Chicago City Budget
IEC’s City Programs Director, Iyana Simba, provides an in depth analysis of Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s proposed budget for 2024, including the re-establishment of Chicago’s Department of Environment.
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2023 Chicago Transition Report Analysis
IEC’s City Programs Director, Iyana Simba, provides an in depth analysis of Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s Transition Report, with attention to Environmental Justice goals for the city.
2023 Chicago Transition Report Analysis Read More »
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 begin working with you on building the sustainable and healthy environment that all Chicagoans deserve. Still on the heels of 2021’s Climate and Equitable Jobs Act passage in Illinois and
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Ahead of 2023 municipal election, the Illinois Environmental Council Releases Alderpersons’ Environmental Voting Records, Recommendations for Chicago’s Next Mayoral Term
(CHICAGO) – Today, the Illinois Environmental Council (IEC) released its 2023 Mayoral Report and 2023 Chicago City Council Environmental Scorecard. With a range of environmental issues arising throughout a Chicago mayoral term, IEC’s 2023 Mayoral Report lays out key recommendations across a wide range of environmental issues for the city’s leader during the next Mayoral
2023 Chicago Environmental Mayor Report
From clean energy to transportation to urban conservation, IEC’s Mayoral Report lays out both small & lofty objectives that the mayor ought to tackle to make Chicago a sustainable city.
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Bill Defending CEJA and Protecting Local Clean Energy Projects Passes During Lame Duck Session
SPRINGFIELD, IL – A bill protecting Illinois-based clean energy projects from a growing number of local bans passed today during the Illinois General Assembly’s lame duck legislative session. HB4412 was drafted to prevent counties from enacting preemptive local ordinances that outright ban local wind and solar projects, hindering the state’s new climate goals set forth
STATEMENT: IEC Voices Support for Chicago’s Proposed FY2023 Budget
CHICAGO – Illinois Environmental Council Executive Director Jen Walling released the following statement in anticipation of today’s City Council budget consideration: “The City of Chicago’s proposed FY2023 budget includes significant steps forward in staffing, resources, power and responsibility for the environment, environmental justice and climate projects at the City of Chicago. We urge alderpersons to
STATEMENT: IEC Voices Support for Chicago’s Proposed FY2023 Budget Read More »
What’s in Chicago’s proposed 2023 Budget?
Mayor Lori Lightfoot proposed her $16.7 billion FY2023 budget with a heavy focus on pensions, public safety, and reducing the city’s debt. Additionally, the Mayor announced the Office of Climate and Environmental Equity which will be funded at $640,056 for six positions.
What’s in Chicago’s proposed 2023 Budget? Read More »
A Closer Look at Chicago’s Climate Action Plan
On the heels of the release of Chicago’s Climate Action Plan, IEC will break down what’s in the plan, what’s not and what more needs to be done.
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Statement: Illinois Environmental Council Applauds Southeast Side Community in General Iron Victory
Lightfoot Administration Upholds Commitment to Environmental Justice and Public Health Note: This content was circulated exclusively on social media and not distributed to the press. IEC suggests reporters reach out to community groups who have led the General Iron fight. Should you need contact information for those leaders, IEC’s communications director, Tucker Barry, can put
A Look at Chicago’s Environmental Justice Battles, Impacts and Solutions
Though Chicago has recently made historic climate and environmental justice budget investments, the city still has much to do in the way of ensuring equitable public health and environmental protections in our EJ communities.
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Environmental Organizations Call on the City of Chicago to do Right by Southeast Siders
As disrespectful text messages surface, environmental groups back Southeast Side residents CHICAGO – Yesterday, reporting by the Chicago Tribune uncovered an alarming series of text messages between Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Alderperson Sue Garza regarding the ongoing fight for clean air on Chicago’s Southeast Side. In response, the Illinois Environmental Council and the Sierra Club
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Statement: Illinois Environmental Council Applauds Chicago’s Approved FY2022 Budget
CHICAGO — The Illinois Environmental Council issued the following statement of support following Chicago’s Fiscal Year 2022 budget vote: “The Illinois Environmental Council applauds Mayor Lori Lightfoot and the Chicago City Council Alderpersons who voted in support of the FY2022 budget for passing the single largest environmental investment in Chicago’s history. This historic investment in
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Chicago Environmental Justice Network Puts Forward Proposal to Address Cumulative Pollution Impact on Environmental Justice Communities
Bill would protect environmental justice communities from further industrial pollution (SPRINGFIELD, IL) – The Chicago Environmental Justice Network and the Pritzker administration today reaffirmed their commitment to community-based environmental justice efforts. HB4093, introduced by Rep. Sonya Harper, creates an enhanced community engagement process when considering permits for new, large air pollution sources in environmental justice