Governor Pritzker’s First Year
Highlighting the environmental successes and some notable missed opportunities during Governor Pritzker’s First Year
clean energy
IEC 2019 Veto Session Review
During this session, IEC focused on demonstrating public support for the Clean Energy Jobs Act (CEJA) and addressing ethylene oxide pollution.
Gov. Pritzker Signs Bill Repealing Kyoto Protocol Act
Illinois now clear to reduce carbon and other greenhouse gas emissions, act on climate change SPRINGFIELD — Today, Gov. JB Pritzker signed legislation that immediately repealed the Kyoto Protocol Act of 1998, a law prohibiting the state from creating restrictions on greenhouse gas emissions and addressing climate change. House Bill 3481, sponsored by State Sen. Laura …
Gov. Pritzker Signs Bill Repealing Kyoto Protocol Act Read More »
Support 100% Clean Energy in Illinois
Take action and ask your state legislators to support the Clean Energy Jobs Act
FY2020 Budget, Capital Plan and the Environment
The General Assembly has passed a Fiscal Year 2020 budget, as well as a $40 billion capital budget. As always, we’re here to break it all down and fill you in on the most important budget items impacting the environment. Overall, this is an exciting opportunity for environmental projects and clean jobs throughout Illinois. Highlights …
Illinois Has the Greenest Cannabis Bill in the Country
With input from the environmental community, Illinois is about to become the national leader for environmental protection in the cannabis industry. Earlier this year, Governor Pritzker along with members of the Illinois General Assembly, including chief sponsor Senator Heather Steans, introduced legislation to legalize recreational cannabis cultivation, sale and use in Illinois. For many this …
Illinois Has the Greenest Cannabis Bill in the Country Read More »
Illinois House and Senate Pass Landmark Legislation to Clean up Coal Ash
Bill addresses coal ash impoundments plaguing the state for decades Springfield, IL — Yesterday, the Illinois Legislature passed SB9, The Coal Ash Pollution Prevention Act, which now heads to the Governor’s desk. The groundbreaking bill addresses the many waste pits filled with coal ash, the toxic byproduct of burning coal, located all over the state. Illinois is …
Illinois House and Senate Pass Landmark Legislation to Clean up Coal Ash Read More »
General Assembly Repeals Act Preventing Greenhouse Gas Regulation
HB3481 heading to governor’s desk for signature SPRINGFIELD, IL — Today, the Illinois State Senate voted to repeal the Kyoto Protocol Act of 1998, a law prohibiting the state from creating restrictions on greenhouse gas emissions and addressing climate change. House Bill 3481, which is sponsored by State Sen. Laura Ellman (D – Naperville), passed …
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Hundreds Rally for Clean Energy in Springfield
Over 500 gather to support the Clean Energy Jobs Act, protecting communities from coal ash and opposing ratepayer-funded bailouts SPRINGFIELD, IL — Today, hundreds of community leaders, environmental and renewable energy advocates, faith leaders, business representatives, consumer groups and students from around Illinois gathered at the Illinois State Capitol for Clean Energy Lobby Day. Participants …
Cannabis Legalization Bill Passes with Nation-leading Environmental Protections
Illinois Poised to Enact the ‘Greenest’ Cannabis Legislation in U.S. SPRINGFIELD, IL — Today, the Illinois State House of Representatives voted to pass HB1438, a bill legalizing the regulated, recreational use of cannabis that now includes nation-leading environmental and public health protections. The Illinois Environmental Council (IEC) partnered with the University of Chicago’s Abrams Environmental …
Cannabis Legalization Bill Passes with Nation-leading Environmental Protections Read More »
Bill Prohibiting Illinois From Regulating Carbon Pollution Repealed
State can now go beyond the federal government to take action on climate change SPRINGFIELD — On Thursday, March 28th, the Illinois State House of Representatives voted to repeal the Kyoto Protocol Act of 1998, a law prohibiting the state from creating restrictions for the “purpose of addressing the adverse effects of climate change which in …
Bill Prohibiting Illinois From Regulating Carbon Pollution Repealed Read More »
Powering Illinois’ Future
Governor Pritzker recently released reports from each of his administration’s 11 transition committees. Included in those reports is that of the Powering Illinois’ Future Committee, which IEC’s Executive Director Jen Walling co-chaired. You can read that committee’s entire report here: Click here to view the report if the document fails to load.
With signature, Pritzker commits Illinois to U.S. Climate Alliance
By Peter Hancock | Herald & Review “Gov. J.B Pritzker signed an order Tuesday to join the U.S. Climate Alliance at a news conference in Springfield’s eco-friendly Southwind Park. Pritzker was joined by officials from the Illinois Environmental Council and the Illinois chapter of the Sierra Club emphasizing the need to take local action to …
With signature, Pritzker commits Illinois to U.S. Climate Alliance Read More »
Federal Setbacks and the State of Illinois Energy Policy
By Cary Shepherd Policy Director, Illinois Environmental Council The federal administration unveiled its latest attempt to prevent our nation’s transition to a clean energy economy earlier this week. After announcing the repeal of the Clean Power Plan – the Obama Administration’s signature climate change policy – the EPA has proposed to replace it with the …
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2018 Session in Review
The Illinois General Assembly adjourned on May 31st after passing a budget, which was signed by Governor Rauner the morning of June 4th. Read our budget update to learn more about the benefits to environmental programs of the fiscal year 2019 budget. The General Assembly likely will not meet again until after the election for …
FY19 Budget and the Environment
This week, the General Assembly took steps to move forward a comprehensive budget for Fiscal Year 2019. As we are still dealing with the damage caused to environmental programs and our natural areas by the record-setting budget impasse, it’s vital that a sound budget is in place for our work growing clean jobs, conserving open spaces, and protecting …
IEC Affiliate Interview: Environmental Defense Fund
IEC Interviews: Lavannya PulluveetilClean Energy Fellow, Environmental Defense Fund Meet LavannyaIEC: Please tell us a little bit about yourself and your background. How did you come to work on policy issues related to clean energy access?Lavannya: I’m a recent grad with a degree in in Environmental and Sustainability Sciences as well as International Agriculture and …
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What will IEC be up to in 2018?
The 2018 state legislative session began February, 30th 2018. With the Primary Election scheduled for March 20, session days are light between now and March. With continued threats to the environment coming from the federal level, we will be working harder than ever to defend existing protections and push environmental justice priorities in our 2018 …
Dynegy’s Double-Bailout
11 Senators and 33 Representatives Oppose SB 2250 and HB 4141, Dynegy’s Double-Bailout Dynegy, a Texas-based energy giant, has been busy pushing bailouts in multiple venues with Illinois policymakers, while at the same time entering into a mega-merger with another Texas-based energy giant, Vistra Energy. This sale is estimated to add $1.7 billion to Dynegy’s …
Stop Gap Budget and the Environment
The Illinois House and Senate passed and the Governor signed a six month stop gap budget which ends December 31, 2016. While this is progress, passing a budget in the second half of FY17 will be difficult as the legislature will likely have to consider additional revenue. This budget covers many line items related to …
Oppose Sweeps to Energy and Conservation
Legislation advanced to immediately sweep funding important to the environmental community SB274 Amendment #1 takes funding from numerous dedicated funds, including but not limited to: $37 million for OSLAD (Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development) Nearly $5 million from NAAF (Natural Areas Acquisition Fund) Over $1 million from the Partners for Conservation Fund $25.7 million …
Mid-May Update
With a little over two weeks left until the deadline for session to end (May 31), the environmental community’s largest issues are still moving. Yesterday, a story about the fix that we are supporting to Illinois’ renewable energy portfolio standards was on the front page of the Chicago Tribune. The fix to the RPS is still …
Updates on Priority Legislation
Listed below are some of the priority bills that the environmental community is supporting in 2013. SB 1666, The Genetically Engineered Food Labeling Act. (Rep. Deb Mell and Sen. Dave Koehler) SB 1666 would label genetically engineered (GE) food, with some exceptions, to help create a market for farmers who desire to use non-GE seeds and …
2012 Mid-Session Update
Yesterday’s Environmental Lobby Day was incredible! Thanks to all 150 volunteers that came to Springfield. The co-sponsorships, letter signings, and expressions of support from legislators were demonstrative of the power that the environmental community can have through its grassroots membership working together. Check out pictures of the day at our facebook page. Today is the deadline for …