Illinois needs batteries. Will a new incentive program help?
The pilot program would help determine the future of autonomous vehicles in the state
Illinois needs batteries. Will a new incentive program help? Read More »
clean energy
Building a Clean Heat Pipeline
Underneath the cranes and the glittering new apartment towers, something especially interesting is happening with how Vancouver heats and cools its buildings. Vancouver is embracing a growing system of thermal energy networks (TENs) to decarbonize both new and existing buildings.
Building a Clean Heat Pipeline Read More »
Five Silent Auction Items I’m Especially Excited About This Year
IEC’s Mundra Turtogtokh shares some of the exciting items generously donated for our 2026 Environmental Leadership Dinner silent auction.
Five Silent Auction Items I’m Especially Excited About This Year Read More »
When the Deep Tunnel Runs Out of Room
A flood is a warning too late.
When the Deep Tunnel Runs Out of Room Read More »
5 Years of CEJA, 5 Tours With IEC: Bearing Witness to Illinois’ Growing Clean Energy Workforce
Clean energy workers are building the wind, solar, and battery storage projects to help build Illinois’ climate resilience and clean energy future. The training programs equipping those workers with the skills necessary for Illinois’ green economy were made possible by the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act, which turns five on September 15, 2026.
Why are more elected officials calling for restrictions on data centers?
On Aug. 11, Mayor Brandon Johnson signed an executive order calling for a pause on data center construction and expansion in the city of Chicago.
Why are more elected officials calling for restrictions on data centers? Read More »
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson signs data center order and pushes City Council for moratorium
Mayor Brandon Johnson signed an executive order Tuesday directing city departments to intensify scrutiny of new data centers in Chicago — a politically potent move that doesn’t unilaterally impose new limits on the fast-growing industry, but could slow its growth.
Illinois Environmental Council gives over half of Illinois legislators a perfect score on environmentally conscious votes this year
Every year, the Illinois Environmental Council (IEC) issues a voting scorecard that grades members of the Illinois General Assembly on how they voted for bills affecting the environment.
WCPT 820 Interview: Dany Robles
Richard Chew is joined by Dany Robles, senior legislative director at the Illinois Environmental Council (IEC); he talks about IEC’s 2026 Legislative Environmental Scorecard.
WCPT 820 Interview: Dany Robles Read More »
Rising Temperatures and Rising Costs: Heat Deaths as a Consequence of Climate Change and The Affordability Crisis
This year’s extraordinary heat made July 2026 Cook County’s deadliest month for heat deaths in a decade. Regardless of where you live, heat waves have become the most lethal weather phenomenon in the world, killing an average of 12,000 people every year. Like many other environmental injustices, heat deaths do not impact everyone equally.
How to regulate data centers in Illinois at the center of latest proposal
Even as a political backlash against data centers mushrooms across the U.S., a broad consensus on how to regulate them is emerging in Springfield, according to key corporate, labor and environmental lobbyists.
How to regulate data centers in Illinois at the center of latest proposal Read More »
2026 Environmental Scorecard
IEC’s state legislative team has published our 2026 Environmental Scorecard evaluating the performance of every Illinois state legislator based on their environmental voting record.
2026 Environmental Scorecard Read More »
From Warning to Reality: One Year After the “Big Ugly Bill”
One year ago, the Illinois Environmental Council warned that H.R.1, dubbed the “Big Ugly Bill,” would impact Illinois’ clean energy economy, weaken environmental protections, and make it harder for families and communities to thrive. One year later, we revisited those projections by reviewing updated economic analyses, federal implementation, and conversations with our partners across Illinois to understand what has changed and what challenges remain.
From Warning to Reality: One Year After the “Big Ugly Bill” Read More »
As Trump hacks away at environmental protections, Illinois strengthens them
A bill headed to Gov. JB Pritzker’s desk will end Illinois’ automatic adoption of weakened federal environmental standards.
As Trump hacks away at environmental protections, Illinois strengthens them Read More »
Why More Illinoisans Are Saying “No” To Data Centers
On June 5, the Illinois legislature shot down House Bill 5513, better known as the POWER Act, a first-of-its-kind, comprehensive bill of necessary regulations on the data centers that have been flooding into the state over the past decade, promising more jobs and increased revenue for local and state governments through property, sales and use taxes.
Why More Illinoisans Are Saying “No” To Data Centers Read More »
Gov. Pritzker slows down data center development
After years of championing data center development, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker is pumping the brakes amid concerns over spiking energy bills, water use and pollution.
Gov. Pritzker slows down data center development Read More »
Lawmakers, stakeholders are ready for summer of data center negotiations
Lawmakers have a busy summer of negotiations ahead of them with pressure from both the governor’s office and their constituents to craft data center regulations that stakeholders and legislators can live with.
Lawmakers, stakeholders are ready for summer of data center negotiations Read More »
2026 Legislative Report
IEC’s state legislative team has published our 2026 Legislative Report detailing environmental wins and setbacks during this year’s legislative session.
2026 Legislative Report Read More »
Gov. Pritzker pauses data center subsidies
The POWER Act, which would have regulated data centers in Illinois, failed to advance before the legislative deadline, leaving pending projects without new state guardrails. Meanwhile, Gov. J.B. Pritzker has paused data center tax incentives and is pushing for stricter standards on energy use, water consumption and community impact. Joining us to discuss the implications is Jen Walling, executive director of the Illinois Environmental Council.
Gov. Pritzker pauses data center subsidies Read More »
Gov. JB Pritzker suspends tax breaks for data centers, urges more discussion
In a surprise move, Gov. JB Pritzker announced Friday that he is putting a pause on all new state tax incentives for data centers and calling on lawmakers to pass new data center reforms during the fall veto session.
Gov. JB Pritzker suspends tax breaks for data centers, urges more discussion Read More »
Illinois regulates AI safety but not data centers
Illinois lawmakers passed one of the nation’s strictest AI safety policies last week, but the state still lags behind Florida and Tennessee when it comes to regulating the buildings that make AI use possible: data centers.
Illinois regulates AI safety but not data centers Read More »