https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_qYgjYdCPhA In the sixth installment of IEC’s Lunch & Learn Series, Justin Williams from the Metropolitan Planning Council, Caroline Pakenham from Elevate Energy, and IEC’s own Iyana Simba discuss lead in drinking water in Illinois. Below, you can find resources and links from the session: App to see if your home has lead pipes Illinois […]
Lead in Drinking Water Read More »
Lawmakers, environmental groups, and consumer advocates bring the fight for plastic-free water to the General Assembly SPRINGFIELD, IL – Today, State Rep. Ann Williams, State Sen. Melinda Bush and the Illinois Environmental Council announced the introduction of a comprehensive package of legislation tackling the pervasive problem of plastic pollution from single-use plastics in Illinois waterways
Lawmakers, Advocates Introduce ‘Plastic-free Water for Illinois Platform’ Read More »
During this session, IEC focused on demonstrating public support for the Clean Energy Jobs Act (CEJA) and addressing ethylene oxide pollution.
Illinois’ 2020 Enviro Legislative Agenda Read More »
Illinois legislators and advocates introduce The Illinois Drug Take-back Act CHICAGO – Today, state lawmakers, environmental and public health groups, along with business, public safety and local government voices, called for a statewide pharmaceutical drug take-back program funded by pharmaceutical companies. The coalition called the amount of unused drugs in Illinois a public safety, public
Broad Coalition Calls for Statewide Drug Take-back Program Read More »
Aldermen, environmental groups, and consumer advocates bring the fight for plastic-free water to the Chicago City Council CHICAGO –Today, Alderman Scott Waguespack (32nd Ward) announced the introduction of comprehensive legislation tackling the pervasive problem of plastic pollution in Chicago waterways and the Great Lakes. Alderman Waguespack was joined by organizations in support of the ordinance
Advocates Introduce Chicago City Ordinance to Combat Plastic Pollution Read More »
Nutrient pollution from excess fertilizer carried downstream by water and erosion is poisoning our drinking water, feeding toxic algal blooms and contributing to a massive deadzone in the Gulf of Mexico.
Cover Crops and the 200 Year Nutrient Pollution Gap Read More »
By Iyana Simba | IEC Clean Water Advocate When it came to light in 2014 that residents of Flint, Michigan were exposed to elevated lead levels in their drinking water, the issue dominated headlines. Since then, cities like Newark, Philadelphia, Washington D.C., Pittsburgh, Milwaukee, and Chicago have also found elevated lead levels in schools, childcare
Lead Poisoning Awareness Week Read More »
The Coal Ash Pollution Prevention Act is a critical step in fixing Illinois’ coal ash problem SPRINGFIELD, IL—Today, bipartisan legislation to protect Illinois’ citizens and the environment from the effects of toxic coal ash became law. The Coal Ash Pollution Prevention Act will result in stronger rules for coal ash cleanup and fund cleanup programs through permit
Milestone Bill to Clean Up Coal Ash Pollution in Illinois Becomes Law Read More »
Midwestern farmers are paying the price of climate change
The Price of Climate Change Read More »
IEC is pleased to release our 2019 Legislative Report. We are proud to report that we advanced a broad and ambitious agenda, defeated potentially damaging legislation and secured important appropriations in the state budget.
2019 IEC Legislative Report Read More »
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 »
Clean Water Jobs for All Legislation Lays Groundwork for Thousands of New Jobs SPRINGFIELD, IL — Today, the Illinois State House of Representatives voted to approve Clean Water Jobs for All legislation (SB 2146/HB 3349), which creates the Clean Water Workforce Pipeline Program. The program provides training and resources for careers in water infrastructure and
General Assembly Sends Water Jobs Infrastructure Bill to Governor’s Desk Read More »
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 »
The Governor of Illinois has significant influence over environmental programs and policy, as well as if, and how, the state leads on these issues. This being the case, IEC welcomed the election of Governor Pritzker, whose campaign promised 100% renewable energy, clean air protections and recognized the importance of our water resources. Now that we
Governor Pritzker’s First 100 Days Read More »
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 »
SPRINGFIELD — Today, State Sen. Ram Villivalam and State Rep. Justin Slaughter were joined by environmental and labor leaders from across Illinois to announce support for their Clean Water Jobs for All legislation (SB 2146/HB 3349). Sen. Ram Villivalam, sponsor of SB 2146, said, “With the Clean Water Jobs for All legislation, we aren’t just
It is past time for dedicated capital funding for water infrastructure to ensure every Illinoisan has access to clean, affordable water.
The Critical Need for Water Infrastructure Funding Read More »
Rich Miller | Capitol Fax Illinois continues to reel from the fatal outbreak of legionella at the Quincy Veterans’ Home. School and park districts are scrambling to address troubling levels of lead in water lines and drinking fountains. Now the House is considering a radical measure that would eliminate longstanding protections that ensure the proper
SB 1226 Endangers Safe Drinking Water & Public Health Read More »
Friday, April 13th is the final deadline for bills to get out of committee in both chambers. It was a mixed week in Springfield for IEC: while many of the proposals we support advanced towards passage, others very bad proposals moved forward despite our strong opposition. Bills that do not get out of committee by
Committee Deadline Week Read More »
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
What will IEC be up to in 2018 Read More »
