What Illinois Animal are You?
Illinois is home to hundreds of iconic animals. Who are you? Find your birth month to discover more about your critter.
What Illinois Animal are You? Read More »
Clean air
EPA plans to give 11 coal plants a free pass on toxic ash disposal
“By expanding a loophole created during the first Trump administration, EPA would allow coal plants to delay closure for at least three more years and potentially much longer,” says Cate Caldwell of the Illinois Environmental Council.
EPA plans to give 11 coal plants a free pass on toxic ash disposal Read More »
Environmentalists push back against US EPA plan to extend coal plant closings
For a state with some of the highest numbers of coal ash ponds, this decision threatens to reverse years of progress as Illinois has made strides away from reliance on coal-fired power, according to Cate Caldwell, senior policy director of the Illinois Environmental Council.
Environmentalists push back against US EPA plan to extend coal plant closings Read More »
Trucks Move the Country’s Goods Through This County. As Even More Loom, People Are Pushing Back.
NorthPoint Development is building a warehouse project on 4,000 acres not far from the existing 6,400-acre CenterPoint Intermodal Center in Will County. An analysis for the developer estimated that it would bring 1,300 new truck trips daily, and opponents think that will prove to be a huge undercount. Not everyone would risk immediate health effects like Papesh,
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 »
2025 Clean Energy Townhall
Is Illinois on the right track? Help shape IEC’s Clean Energy policy priorities as we head into 2026.
2025 Clean Energy Townhall Read More »
2025 Chicago City Council Scorecard
IEC’s city programs team has published our 2025 Chicago City Council Environmental Scorecard evaluating the performance of alderpersons based on their environmental voting record.
2025 Chicago City Council Scorecard Read More »
2025 Environmental Scorecard
IEC’s state legislative team has published our 2025 Environmental Scorecard evaluating the performance of every Illinois state legislator based on their environmental voting record.
2025 Environmental Scorecard Read More »
2025 Legislative Report
IEC’s state legislative team has published our 2025 Legislative Report detailing environmental wins and setbacks during this year’s legislative session.
2025 Legislative Report Read More »
As Chicagoans Brace for Higher Water Bills, Groups Push for Affordability Reforms
Water rates have more than doubled since 2010. Low-income residents feel the pinch most of all. On Sunday Chicagoans will face another spike in their water bills after seeing rates more than double over the past 15 years. The latest increase—4 percent—comes as environmental justice groups are fighting for more water-affordability protections. “Water is just
As Chicagoans Brace for Higher Water Bills, Groups Push for Affordability Reforms Read More »
Smoke from Canadian wildfires moving into Chicago area, raising concerns about air quality
Smoke from out-of-control wildfires in Canada is drifting into the Chicago area on Friday, and while conditions won’t be as severe as when smoke from Canadian wildfires repeatedly blanketed Chicago two years ago, the haze is nonetheless raising public health concerns. Environmental experts said Chicagoans should pay attention to any alerts and be conscious of air quality. Canadian officials
On Earth Day, EPA union workers decry cuts to clean air and water regulations
Fifty-five years after the first Earth Day, Environmental Protection Agency employees and advocates call for help as the Trump administration rolls back environmental regulations and lays off hundreds of workers. Earth Day was marked not with celebration but with a sense of urgency and despair for Environmental Protection Agency union members in Chicago as the
On Earth Day, EPA union workers decry cuts to clean air and water regulations Read More »
Public Transit is Essential. Now It Must Be Protected.
I moved to Chicago with a dream to make it in the big city. Today, that dream includes protecting essential transit services for all Illinoisans.
Public Transit is Essential. Now It Must Be Protected. Read More »
Northeastern Illinois Conservation Sees Critical Win
In a battle of expectedly “red” versus “blue” politics, conservation funding in northeastern Illinois emerged a winner in the 2024 election.
Northeastern Illinois Conservation Sees Critical Win Read More »
Illinois’ 2025 Environmental Legislative Agenda
See Illinois’ 2025 Environmental Legislative Agenda, including all of the most important environmental bills this session!
Illinois’ 2025 Environmental Legislative Agenda 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 »
The Environment is On Your Ballot
Ahead of yet another critical election, IEC’s climate communications manager reflects on the importance of down-ballot races, and what it would mean to elect environmental champions from the local level to Congress.
The Environment is On Your Ballot Read More »
To Protect Critical Open Space, Voters in Four Northern Illinois Counties Should Vote Yes.
Voters in DuPage, Kane, Lake, and McHenry Counties should Vote Yes on Nov. 5 to protect clean water, native habitats and healthy communities.
2024 Legislative Report
IEC’s state legislative team has published our 2024 Legislative Report detailing environmental wins and setbacks during this year’s legislative session.
2024 Legislative Report Read More »
Illinois’ 2024 Environmental Legislative Agenda
See Illinois’ 2024 Environmental Legislative Agenda, including all of the most important environmental bills this session!
Illinois’ 2024 Environmental Legislative Agenda Read More »