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.
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clean energy
Conservation Advocacy in Illinois
We are at the midway point in the state 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 at this critical juncture in session.
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Powering Progress: Richland Community College Now Training Up Illinois’ Clean Energy Workforce
CEJA Workforce Hub Celebrates 100% Enrollment Across Training Programs DECATUR, IL—Today, Richland Community College (RCC) and the Illinois Environmental Council (IEC) hosted “Powering Progress: Richland Community College’s Clean Energy Careers in Action” at its Decatur campus. The event highlighted RCC’s Clean Energy Careers program, which provides training and certification for entry-level positions in solar, HVAC,
Tackling Plastic Pollution in Illinois
Our legislative team at IEC has been working hard to equip our dozens of bill sponsors with the tools and the public support needed to advance our legislative agenda this session.
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Legislative Champions, Consumer and Environmental Advocates Urge Passage of Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability (CRGA) Act
(SPRINGFIELD, IL)—Today, legislative champions joined consumer and environmental advocates to urge the Illinois General Assembly to pass the Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act (SB2473/HB3779) amidst surging energy demand sparked by data centers and unprecedented threats to consumers, our grid, and our climate. “Three years ago, Illinois passed the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act, which
Illinois’ 2025 Environmental Legislative Agenda
See Illinois’ 2025 Environmental Legislative Agenda, including all of the most important environmental bills this session!
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Lawmakers give small boost to renewable developments, delay broader reform
Energy policy likely to be revisited in spring legislative session. Lawmakers this week passed a bill aimed at boosting the development of renewable energy generation, but its proponents said the final measure was a “skinny” version of what they had hoped to pass. “We’ve seen the effects of climate change. We’ve seen the effects on
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Progress Here at Home
A Letter from IEC Executive Director Jen Walling
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Why I’m Not Looking Back After Purchasing an Electric Vehicle
When her old vehicle started experience issues, Jen decided she needed a change. She went fully electric.
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2024 Clean Energy Town Hall
Register via Zoom using the form below Click here if form fails to load.
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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.
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2024 Environmental Scorecard
Here you will find IEC’s 2024 Environmental Scorecard for the Illinois General Assembly. Scores are based on the environmental impact of each legislator’s voting record over the last legislative session. Not only is IEC’s scorecard one of the most effective measurements of our movement’s growing environmental power, but it’s also a powerful accountability tool as
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Climate events outside the DNC campus in Chicago highlight progress — and call for action
The visuals were first-rate: an all-electric camper van customized with images of wind turbines turning against an orange sky. There was swag: postcards, fans, buttons and posters. And there was a passionate speech by a leading voice for climate action in the U.S. Congress: “There is a stark choice facing us,” said U.S. Rep. Kathy
Local and National Leaders Laud Illinois Effort to Accelerate A Just Transition to Clean Energy
The Biden-Harris Affordable Clean Energy Plan and Illinois’ Climate and Equitable Jobs Act work hand-in-hand to address the climate crisis Chicago, IL. – As all eyes turn to Chicago and the historic events unfolding during the Democratic National Convention, state and federal leaders and environmental advocates gathered on Wednesday to highlight Illinois’ leadership on climate
IL environmentalists hope federal grant lowers emissions
The fight against the effects of climate change in Illinois has more help. Under the Biden Administration’s pollution reduction plan, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will distribute $430 million to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The Climate Pollution Reduction Grant will also accelerate clean energy and promote workforce training. Angela Xu, municipal engagement manager for the Illinois Environmental
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Pritzker signs bill requiring climate change education in Illinois public schools
A new law will require students in Illinois public schools to learn about climate change starting with the 2026 school year. The law calls for instruction on identifying environmental and ecological impacts of climate change on people and communities. It also requires education on solutions to address and mitigate the impacts of climate change. “Illinois continues its record
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Illinois Becomes Fifth State to Require Climate Change Education in Public Schools
Springfield, IL – On Friday, Governor JB Pritzker signed legislation requiring Illinois public schools to educate students on climate change starting in 2026. The law, which was championed by State Senator Adriane Johnson and State Representative Janet Yang Rohr, requires that students learn about the environmental and ecological impacts of climate change on individuals and
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Illinois Appellate Court Ruling Will Hinder Illinois’ Efforts to Deliver Affordable and Reliable Clean Energy
Illinois – The 5th District Appellate Court ruled today to overturn the Illinois Commerce Commission’s issuance of a Certificate of Public Convenience (CPNC) to the Grain Belt Express, a critical transmission line that would create 1,400 clean energy jobs and generate $1.3 billion in economic activity during construction in Illinois. The Illinois Commerce Commission’s unanimous approval
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.
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Hundreds Gather in Springfield to Advocate for Equitable Climate, Transportation, and Energy Legislation
Springfield, IL. – Hundreds of community leaders, environmental advocates, faith leaders, business representatives, consumer groups, students and state legislators rallied outside of the Illinois State Capitol Building today in support of the Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition (ICJC) Platform, a slate of legislation that would double down on Illinois’ bold climate policy and secure a more