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City of Chicago and Environmental Justice Advocates Rally Support for Hazel Johnson Cumulative Impacts Ordinance

CHICAGO – The City of Chicago and environmental justice advocates today announced and rallied support for the Hazel Johnson Cumulative Impacts Ordinance (O2025-0016697), which was then introduced in Chicago City Council. The ordinance ensures zoning requirements consider cumulative health impacts so that new pollution sources don’t further exacerbate toxic industrial pollution. “The Hazel Johnson Cumulative […]

City of Chicago and Environmental Justice Advocates Rally Support for Hazel Johnson Cumulative Impacts Ordinance Read More »

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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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

Chicago City Council Takes Historic Vote to Re-establish the City’s Department of Environment After its Dissolution Over a Decade Ago 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

Ahead of 2023 municipal election, the Illinois Environmental Council Releases Alderpersons’ Environmental Voting Records, Recommendations for Chicago’s Next Mayoral Term Read More »

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

Bill Defending CEJA and Protecting Local Clean Energy Projects Passes During Lame Duck Session Read More »

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

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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

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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

Environmental Organizations Call on the City of Chicago to do Right by Southeast Siders Read More »

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

Statement: Illinois Environmental Council Applauds Chicago’s Approved FY2022 Budget Read More »

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