With two full weeks of the legislative session left before the May 31 deadline, IEC is working overtime to ensure our priorities cross the finish line.
A Sprint to Accelerate Illinois’ Clean Energy Progress Read More »
The town of Ottawa lies in central Illinois 12 miles from a nuclear power plant and a wind turbine farm that stretches past the horizon. However, these facilities sit on the other side of an invisible boundary between two regional power grids. By mutual agreement among utilities that own the grids and power plants, that
In Illinois, an invisible boundary determines how dirty and costly your electricity is Read More »
We can’t count on Washington to do right for the environment. Good thing Illinois’ environmental movement is on top of it.
Illinois Has Your Back, Mother Earth Read More »
We’re midway through the 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.
Conservation Advocacy in Illinois Read More »
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,
Our legislative team at IEC has been working hard to ensure our bill sponsors have the tools and public support to advance our agenda this session.
Tackling Plastic Pollution in Illinois Read More »
(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
State lawmakers are pushing for more grid-enhancing tech, gigawatts of new energy storage, and the creation of a virtual power plant program.Since 2017, sweeping legislation in Illinois has sparked a solar power boom and launched ambitious energy equity and green jobs programs. Now, for the third time in under a decade, state lawmakers, advocates, and industry groups have their sights set
After groundbreaking bills on jobs and solar, Illinois tackles the grid Read More »
See Illinois’ 2025 Environmental Legislative Agenda, including all of the most important environmental bills this session!
Illinois’ 2025 Environmental Legislative Agenda Read More »
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
Lawmakers give small boost to renewable developments, delay broader reform Read More »
A Letter from IEC Executive Director Jen Walling
Progress Here at Home Read More »
When her old vehicle started experience issues, Jen decided she needed a change. She went fully electric.
Why I’m Not Looking Back After Purchasing an Electric Vehicle Read More »
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2024 Clean Energy Town Hall Read More »
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 »
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
2024 Environmental Scorecard Read More »
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
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
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
IL environmentalists hope federal grant lowers emissions Read More »
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
Pritzker signs bill requiring climate change education in Illinois public schools Read More »
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
Illinois Becomes Fifth State to Require Climate Change Education in Public Schools Read More »
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