Where environmental priorities stand now
We’ve reached another important deadline as we move into the final week of session. Learn more about the current status of important bills.
Where environmental priorities stand now Read More »
clean energy
What you might have missed in Springfield at Third Reading Deadline
We’ve reached an important deadline in both chambers. Learn more about where important bills stand now as we move further into the final weeks of the regular legislative session.
What you might have missed in Springfield at Third Reading Deadline Read More »
Remembering the honorable Barbara Flynn Currie
The Honorable Barbara Flynn Currie remains an inspiration to all of us at the Illinois Environmental Council. Learn more about her lasting environmental legacy today.
Remembering the honorable Barbara Flynn Currie Read More »
Hundreds gather in Springfield to push environmental bills on wetlands, plastics and data centers
More than 200 Illinois residents gathered in Springfield on Wednesday for Environmental Lobby Day, joining lawmakers and advocates in the Illinois Capitol rotunda to push for a trio of environmental bills aimed at curbing pollution and protecting natural resources.
Residents lobbied at the capitol for three major bills at Illinois Environmental Lobby Day
Hundreds of advocates and organizers headed to Springfield this week for Environmental Lobby Day in Illinois.
What does Trump’s EPA reversal of landmark climate change ruling mean for Illinois?
As Illinois officials remain strongly committed to closing coal-fired power plants, federal policies under the Trump administration are creating uncertainty, spurring legal action and a push by some to keep the plants open.
What does Trump’s EPA reversal of landmark climate change ruling mean for Illinois? Read More »
Our Chicago: How data centers could positively, negatively impact you
Jen Walling is the Chief Executive Officer of the Illinois Environmental Council.
She wrote in Crain’s that “Big Tech” is coming to Illinois and that the state isn’t ready.
“We don’t have the guardrails in place that are going to be necessary to protect our environment, to keep our rates low, to protect our communities and most importantly, protect our water,” Walling said.
Our Chicago: How data centers could positively, negatively impact you Read More »
Commentary: With Big Tech’s big footprint, Illinois needs guardrails for data centers now
The POWER Act proposes a commonsense solution: require data centers to pay 100% of the costs they impose on the grid. If a private corporation’s operations require expensive new infrastructure, Illinois ratepayers shouldn’t be stuck with the bill. Data centers must pay their fair share.
Legislative Business is Heating Up in the Halls of the State Capitol
Our legislative team at IEC has been hard at work making sure bill sponsors have the tools and public support they need to move our environmental priorities forward this session.
Legislative Business is Heating Up in the Halls of the State Capitol Read More »
Graduates of Illinois clean energy workforce program gain a vision — and skills for the future
Core to the landmark climate law is creating “a just transition,” said Francisco Lopez Zavala, the Illinois Environmental Council’s policy program associate. For lawmakers, this means building a clean energy workforce in Illinois’ most environmentally burdened communities.
5 Ways to Plug In To the Legislative Session
The legislative session has started! This guide breaks down how you can advocate for stronger environmental protection in Illinois.
5 Ways to Plug In To the Legislative Session Read More »
Illinois’ 2026 Environmental Legislative Agenda
Explore the environmental movement’s legislative agenda, including all of the most important environmental bills this session!
Illinois’ 2026 Environmental Legislative Agenda Read More »
The Environmental Impacts of the Illinois Budget (FY2027)
In his 2026 State of the State and Budget address, Governor JB Pritzker unveiled his administration’s proposed state budget for Fiscal Year 2027 (FY27) of $56 billion.
The Environmental Impacts of the Illinois Budget (FY2027) Read More »
Human composting offers an environmentally friendly end. Some are pushing to legalize it in Illinois.
Jennifer Walling, executive director of the advocacy nonprofit Illinois Environmental Council, said the organization has been working with state lawmakers to pass a bill for the last three years. “It’s frustrating to see this choice taken away,” she said.
POWER Act: Lawmakers seek to regulate new data centers’ power, water usage
“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.
POWER Act: Lawmakers seek to regulate new data centers’ power, water usage Read More »
Environmental groups push to reign in data centers
Jen Walling: We don’t really know how many data centers there are. We coula expect anywhere from 100 to 195, they can be small or really large, but it’s impacting everyone already. Consumers were seeing their rates increase already last summer and those rates are due to Big Tech.
Environmental groups push to reign in data centers Read More »
IEC Legislator Tours 2025
Empowering environmental champions in Illinois’ General Assembly requires building strong relationships with our legislators. These educational tours are a critical piece of that work.
IEC Legislator Tours 2025 Read More »
WCPT 820 Interview: Jen Walling of Illinois Environmental Council
“It ended up being a really pretty good year for climate at the General Assembly. Both bills that had to do with climate, energy, and transit passed in a 24-hour period — the highlight of my life.” — Jen Walling, CEO of IEC Listen to the full interview here.
WCPT 820 Interview: Jen Walling of Illinois Environmental Council Read More »
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 »
Illinois Moves Forward on Climate Action While the Federal Government Falls Behind
Illinois — Today, Governor JB Pritzker signed the Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability (CRGA) Act into law, continuing Illinois’ legacy as a leader on clean energy, workforce development, and climate progress. In response, Illinois Environmental Council Chief Executive Officer Jen Walling released the following statement: “Nearly exactly a year ago today, President Trump declared a
Illinois Moves Forward on Climate Action While the Federal Government Falls Behind Read More »