Climate Action Archives - Illinois Environmental Council

Illinois environment and labor officials seek closer ties on climate action

December 10, 2024

Jennifer Walling runs an organization that speaks for over 100 environmental groups in Springfield. Marc Poulos is a political quarterback for organized labor. “I feel like we both understand that we’re going to get more done if we’re aligned,” said Walling, executive director of the Illinois Environmental Council. “We may as well be on the […]

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Illinois Voters Armed with Legislator’s Environmental Voting Scores Ahead of Elections

August 27, 2024

Illinois Environmental Council Releases Annual Scorecard (SPRINGFIELD, IL)—The Illinois Environmental Council (IEC) released its 2024 Legislative Environmental Scorecard today. The scorecard, which is released annually, assigns legislators a percentage score based on how they voted on bills affecting the environment. This year, 64 state representatives and 27 state senators received 100% scores based on their

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Local and National Leaders Laud Illinois Effort to Accelerate A Just Transition to Clean Energy

August 21, 2024

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

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Analysis: Governor’s FY2025 Budget Address

February 21, 2024

Gov. JB Pritzker unveiled his 2025 budget proposal. Check it out to see how and which environmental priorities will be funded next year.

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Environmentalists advocate slate of bills: What to know

April 19, 2023

Ahead of Earth Day, environmentalists rallied at the state Capitol to push lawmakers to act on bills they say will make Illinois more green. The crowd of a few hundred met outside the Lincoln statue before heading to Gov. JB Pritzker’s capitol office to deliver a letter requesting his signature on the legislation if it

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Congratulations, Chicago Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson

April 17, 2023

By: Iyana Simba, City Programs Director The Illinois Environmental Council congratulates incoming Chicago Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson on their recent election victory. We are excited to begin working with you on building the sustainable and healthy environment that all Chicagoans deserve. Still on the heels of 2021’s Climate and Equitable Jobs Act passage in Illinois and

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Analysis: Governor’s FY2024 Budget Address

February 16, 2023

Gov. JB Pritzker unveiled his 2024 budget proposal. Check it out to see how and which environmental priorities will be funded next year.

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The Decisive Decade

February 7, 2023

IEC recently had the pleasure of hosting President Biden’s National Climate Advisor, Ali Zaidi, for a breakfast with leaders from Illinois’ environmental community.

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Gov. Pritzker Signs Legislation Protecting Clean Energy Projects

February 6, 2023

SPRINGFIELD, IL – Gov. JB Pritzker signed legislation protecting Illinois-based clean energy projects from a growing number of local bans. HB4412 prevents counties from enacting preemptive local ordinances that outright ban local wind and solar projects, hindering the state’s new climate goals set forth in the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA). The bill passed

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Global Crises and Pain at the Pump: A Clean Solution to Rising Energy Prices

May 4, 2022

With gas prices skyrocketing, the need for increased investment in clean energy has never been greater. To understand the current situation and what needs to happen next, let us take a look at history and how we got here.

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Why Chicago needs Department of Environment and why we need one now

May 4, 2022

A decade ago, the City of Chicago under the Emanuel administration dissolved its Department of Environment, leaving a broad range of environmental issues to be dealt with across scattered and, at times, understaffed city departments. It’s long past time to reestablish Chicago’s Department of Environment, read our blog to learn why.

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Analysis: Governor’s FY2023 Budget Address

February 3, 2022

Gov. JB Pritzker unveiled his 2023 budget proposal. Check it out to see how and which environmental priorities will be funded next year.

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Statement on U.S. House Passage of the Build Back Better Act, Once-in-a-Generation Climate Legislation

November 19, 2021

Springfield, IL — The Illinois Environmental Council issued the following statement in response to the passage of historic climate legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives: “Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the strongest climate bill in United States history. Thank you Reps. Bustos, Casten, Davis, Foster, Garcia, Kelly, Krishnamoorthi, Newman, Quigley, Rush, Schakowsky,

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Statement: Illinois Environmental Council Issues Statement on President Biden’s Build Back Better Act Framework Announcement

October 28, 2021

Springfield, IL — Today, following President Biden’s announcement of a new framework for his Build Back Better Act, the Illinois Environmental Council issued the following statement of support: “Today, after thousands of Illinoisans and millions across the nation called, knocked on doors, and demanded action, President Biden has finally announced a framework for the strongest

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Statement: Illinois Environmental Council Applauds Chicago’s Approved FY2022 Budget

October 27, 2021

CHICAGO — The Illinois Environmental Council issued the following statement of support following Chicago’s Fiscal Year 2022 budget vote: “The Illinois Environmental Council applauds Mayor Lori Lightfoot and the Chicago City Council Alderpersons who voted in support of the FY2022 budget for passing the single largest environmental investment in Chicago’s history. This historic investment in

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The Climate and Equitable Jobs Act: What it Means for You, Illinois and Our Planet

September 24, 2021

Learn what our 100% clean energy future will look like with the implementation of the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act!

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Illinois Environmental Council Celebrates Final Passage of Nation-leading Comprehensive and Equitable Climate Legislation in Illinois

September 13, 2021

SPRINGFIELD, IL (September 13, 2021) – Following is a statement from the Illinois Environmental Council (IEC) Executive Director Jen Walling on today’s historic Senate vote on SB2408, the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act: “This is a story about the power of people and the environmental movement in Illinois standing up to big fossil fuel and

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Illinois Environmental Council statement on today’s Senate vote on Climate and Equitable Jobs Act

September 13, 2021

Statement from Jen Walling, executive director of the Illinois Environmental Council (IEC) ahead of today’s Senate energy vote: “IEC is cheering the Senate on today as they convene to cast a historic vote on the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act, legislation that will have a lasting legacy on the future of our state, our most

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Statement: Illinois Environmental Council on latest energy bill agreement

September 9, 2021

“Representing more than 100 Illinois environmental organizations, we stand in support of SB2408, the comprehensive climate and equitable jobs act that will tackle the climate crisis at the scale science demands, and that aligns with our values of equity and accountability. “We are proud to support this bill, which includes a specific timeline for decarbonization

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Illinois Environmental Council celebrates house passage of Climate and Equitable Jobs Act