Session Legislative Intern
The Illinois Environmental Council (IEC) is looking for a Session Legislative Intern to join our amazing team.
Session Legislative Intern Read More »
Climate Action
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 »
Director of Policy, Energy
The Illinois Environmental Council Education Fund (IECEF) is looking for a Director of Policy, Energy to join our amazing team.
Director of Policy, Energy 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.
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Illinois Wetlands Are At Risk As Federal Protections Vanish. Will State Move To Protect Them?
The Environmental Council’s conservation director Lindsay Keeney said despite opposition from the Farm Bureau, some Illinois farmers have expressed support for protections.
“Nature-based solutions – cheap, easily investible solutions, like wetlands – can store floodwater and maintain their soil health and keep their fields from flooding,”
Illinois Rewilding Law, first in US, a step toward state wetland protection
Lindsay Keeney, conservation director at the Illinois Environmental Council, explained that restoring native ecosystems helps Illinois weather more extreme and frequent flood events.
Illinois Rewilding Law, first in US, a step toward state wetland protection 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 »
Chicago Budget Analysis (FY26)
The FY2026 budget strengthened environmental permitting and inspection functions, returning those duties to the appropriate Department of Environment, a top budget priority for the environmental community.
Chicago Budget Analysis (FY26) 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 »
Environmentalists push back against US EPA plan to extend coal plant closings
For a state with some of the highest numbers of coal ash ponds, this decision threatens to reverse years of progress as Illinois has made strides away from reliance on coal-fired power, according to Cate Caldwell, senior policy director of the Illinois Environmental Council.
Environmentalists push back against US EPA plan to extend coal plant closings Read More »
Illinois among states with most cuts to environmental agencies, report shows
As the administration of President Donald Trump pushes for a 55% cut to the U.S. EPA for fiscal year 2026, these findings should raise alarms for states, said Jennifer Walling, executive director of the Illinois Environmental Council, an organization that advocates for environmental policies.
Illinois among states with most cuts to environmental agencies, report shows Read More »
Regional public transit gets $1.5B boost in new legislation
State lawmakers and Geneva Mayor Kevin Burns welcomed passage of the Northern Illinois Transit Authority Act and detailed its benefits to local suburbs. The Northern Illinois Transit Authority Act replaces the Regional Transportation Authority effective June 1. Senate Bill 2111 passed the Legislature on Oct. 31 and awaits the governor’s signature. Speaking at a news conference Nov. 25 at
Regional public transit gets $1.5B boost in new legislation Read More »
Suburban legislators, advocates tout single-fare system, transit-oriented development after passage of mass transit funding bill
With a fiscal cliff for the Chicago region’s transit system in the rearview mirror, suburban riders could see a streamlined fare system, more frequent trains and more transit-oriented development, some suburban lawmakers and advocates say, following the recent passage of a $1.5 billion state funding bill for mass transit. After months of transit talk and failed
As SNAP Cuts Begin, A State Bill Can Shield Illinois Communities from Federal Fallout
Passing SB1398 is a chance to prove that Illinois can again turn words into action and policy into protection.
As SNAP Cuts Begin, A State Bill Can Shield Illinois Communities from Federal Fallout Read More »
Illinois General Assembly Passes Energy Reform Act Aiming to Reduce Rates and Reach Clean Energy Goals
The state passed the legislation during a veto session after months of lobbying from advocacy groups, but some concerns over planning provisions and consumer costs linger. Illinois’ General Assembly passed a package of comprehensive energy reforms last week that would help the state reach its clean energy goals and aims to lower prices for consumers.
What Illinois’ new transit spending bill means for riders, drivers
New legislation calls for no public transit fare increases, but tolls and sales tax are set to increase State lawmakers passed a major transit reform bill last week to prop up the CTA, Metra and Pace with $1.5 billion in additional tax revenue — helping to stave off cuts that would have affected millions of transit users.
What Illinois’ new transit spending bill means for riders, drivers Read More »
Illinois takes steps to address high energy costs, betting big on battery storage
The state legislature passed a bill that will add a surcharge for customers in the short term, but should pay it back more than 10-fold over the next 20 years. Electricity prices have been rising across much of the country, and Illinois is among the states seeing the sharpest increases. Over the past five years,
Illinois takes steps to address high energy costs, betting big on battery storage Read More »
Illinois lawmakers just passed another big clean-energy bill
Batteries are the centerpiece of the state’s third major piece of energy legislation in a decade. The governor has pledged to sign the bill. Illinois legislators passed a major energy bill that creates grid-battery and geothermal incentives and a virtual-power-plant program, during the final hours of a fall veto session Thursday. Advocates and industry sources describe the legislation as the crucial
Illinois lawmakers just passed another big clean-energy bill Read More »
1,000-page multi-step energy reform bill passes in Illinois
Illinois (KHQA) — Environmental and clean energy advocates are praising the passing of a 1,000-page energy omnibus bill in the Illinois congress on Oct. 30. The bill has taken several names as its transformed over the years, from the Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act to the Municipal and Cooperative Electric Utility Transparent Planning Act. Now, according to supporters, this
1,000-page multi-step energy reform bill passes in Illinois Read More »
Illinois Environmental Council Lauds Biggest 24 Hours in State Climate Action in State History
Springfield, IL — Today, following months of negotiations and mere hours after the passage of the Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act, which accelerates Illinois’ clean energy goals, the Illinois General Assembly passed another major climate action bill – the Northern Illinois Transit Authority (NITA) Act (SB2111). The NITA Act addresses air and climate pollution