Illinois’ 2020 Enviro Legislative Agenda
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 »
Clean Water
Broad Coalition Calls for Statewide Drug Take-back Program
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 »
Advocates Introduce Chicago City Ordinance to Combat Plastic Pollution
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 »
Cover Crops and the 200 Year Nutrient Pollution Gap
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 »
Lead Poisoning Awareness Week
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 »
Milestone Bill to Clean Up Coal Ash Pollution in Illinois Becomes Law
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 »
The Price of Climate Change
Midwestern farmers are paying the price of climate change
The Price of Climate Change Read More »
2019 IEC Legislative Report
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 »
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 Sends Water Jobs Infrastructure Bill to Governor’s Desk
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 »
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 »
Governor Pritzker’s First 100 Days
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 »
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 »
State Legislators, Stakeholders Announce Major Milestone for “Clean Water Jobs for All” Legislation
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
The Critical Need for Water Infrastructure Funding
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 »
SB 1226 Endangers Safe Drinking Water & Public Health
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 »
Committee Deadline Week
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 »
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
What will IEC be up to in 2018 Read More »
Staff Feature: Lindsay Keeney
By Lindsay KeeneyDownstate Outreach Director, Illinois Environmental Council You can’t protect something you don’t love. Nurtured in central Illinois creek beds that had a tendency to banish a nice pair pair of school clothes straight to the dirty clothes pile, I love water. Geography gifted me the chance play, fish and study water from an
Staff Feature: Lindsay Keeney Read More »
Legislator Feature: State Representative Carol Ammons
IEC is excited to release our first “Legislator Feature” on our blog! Through this series, we hope to share with our supporters how legislators think about environmental issues, and what areas they are specifically interested in. For this entry, we are pleased to interview State Representative Carol Ammons. Representative Carol Ammons is serving her second
Legislator Feature: State Representative Carol Ammons Read More »