What is Veto Session and Why Does it Matter?
It’s Veto Session season in Springfield! Find out what it is, why it matters, and how you can help IEC push for key environmental priorities.
What is Veto Session and Why Does it Matter? Read More »
Climate Action
2025 Food Systems Townhall
Is Illinois on the right track? Help shape IEC’s Food Systems policy priorities as we head into 2026.
2025 Food Systems Townhall Read More »
2025 Clean Energy Townhall
Is Illinois on the right track? Help shape IEC’s Clean Energy policy priorities as we head into 2026.
2025 Clean Energy Townhall Read More »
2025 Zero Waste Townhall
Is Illinois on the right track? Help shape IEC’s Zero Waste policy priorities as we head into 2026.
2025 Zero Waste Townhall Read More »
2025 Conservation & Open Space Townhall
Is Illinois on the right track? Help shape IEC’s Open Space and Conservation policy priorities as we head into 2026.
2025 Conservation & Open Space Townhall Read More »
2025 Clean Water Townhall
Is Illinois on the right track? Help shape IEC’s Clean Water policy priorities as we head into 2026.
2025 Clean Water Townhall Read More »
2025 Equitable Transportation Townhall
Is Illinois on the right track? Help shape IEC’s Equitable Transportation policy priorities as we head into 2026.
2025 Equitable Transportation Townhall Read More »
Keep Your Eyes Open for Invasive Species This Halloween
Ghosts, Ghouls…..and Invasive Species? Learn about some of the spookiest invasive species in Illinois.
Keep Your Eyes Open for Invasive Species This Halloween Read More »
A Guide to Water Policy Terminology
From safe drinking water in Chicago to clean rivers downstate, Illinois water policy shapes our daily lives. Understanding the language behind it helps every community advocate for a healthier future.
A Guide to Water Policy Terminology Read More »
Hundreds Rally at the State Capitol Urging State Lawmakers to Prioritize People Over Polluters Amidst Mounting Federal Attacks
Advocates calling for passage of bills that accelerate clean energy and fix and fund public transit Springfield, IL — Hundreds of community leaders, environmental advocates, faith leaders, business representatives, consumer groups, and state legislators rallied at the Illinois State Capitol today to call on lawmakers to pass critical climate bills in the October veto session, including
Analysis: Understand the Federal Government Shutdown and Its Impact on Illinois
Congress failed to meet its October 1 deadline to pass a funding bill, triggering a government shutdown that has suspended key environmental programs, furloughed government employees, closed national parks, and stopped non-essential services.
Analysis: Understand the Federal Government Shutdown and Its Impact on Illinois Read More »
President Donald Trump cancels $583M in energy projects for Illinois, one of many blue states affected
Amid a funding stalemate in Congress and a federal government shutdown, President Donald Trump’s planned termination of nearly $8 billion for energy projects primarily in states that didn’t vote for him includes $583 million in cuts for projects in Illinois. Among those set to lose tens of millions of dollars in anticipated funding are power giant Exelon,
Illinois’ push to train workers for solar industry jobs is paying off
A state-funded hub for clean energy workforce development is creating employment and business opportunities in the surrounding community. Advocates applauded the law’s impact at a celebration of the Alton hub at Lewis and Clark last month. “Now because of CEJA,” said Francisco Lopez Zavala, climate policy program associate of the Illinois Environmental Council, hubs like the community college “are
Illinois’ push to train workers for solar industry jobs is paying off Read More »
The grades are out on legislators and the environment
More than a third of state lawmakers scored 100 percent on IL Environmental Council scorecard. The Illinois Environmental Council is out with its 2025 legislative scorecard. “This year we saw 39 state representatives and 25 state senators receive 100 percent scores based on sixteen bills,” said the council’s executive director, Jen Walling, “and over fifty percent of sitting state
The grades are out on legislators and the environment Read More »
Lewis and Clark Community College Training Next Generation of Clean Energy Workers in Illinois
Alton-area workforce training program made possible by the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act has graduated 57 students and is training 47 more Alton, IL — Yesterday, Lewis and Clark Community College (LC) and the Illinois Environmental Council (IEC) hosted a tour of LC’s training facilities at the Scott Bibb Center, where students are enrolled in
Five Things to Know About Illinois’ New Climate Displacement Act
State lawmakers and environmental advocates drafted a bill to prepare the state for migration, recognizing the Midwest as a climate haven for people evading climate disasters. After wildfires erupted near Illinois State Sen. Graciela Guzmán’s extended family’s home in Los Angeles, the fear of the next wildfire lingered. Her family started talking about whether it
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Renewable and clean energy sector faces uncertainty amid federal tax incentive cuts
The Illinois Environmental Council [IEC] is a nonprofit organization working to make sure environmental and climate communities are heard in public policy and legislative affairs. IEC published its own analysis of the bill, claiming it would set back environmental progress, jobs and initiatives across Illinois. The organization is worried how the law will affect the wallets
Renewable and clean energy sector faces uncertainty amid federal tax incentive cuts Read More »
Illinois’ Governor Has Led on Climate Policy. Here’s How Experts Assess His Work So Far
Jennifer Walling, executive director of the Illinois Environmental Council, which represents 100 environmental groups, considers Pritzker surprisingly forward-thinking on climate. “I’ve been doing this for 15 years and I’ve been through, even before this, almost four different governors’ administrations. Governor Pritzker has been the absolute best on environment and climate,” she said. “He blends an
Illinois’ Governor Has Led on Climate Policy. Here’s How Experts Assess His Work So Far Read More »
How does ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ impact energy sector?
The recently passed One Big Beautiful Bill Act includes significant changes to the way we create and pay for energy. The legislation rolls back investment in clean energy, aiming to return the focus to oil and natural gas. How might these moves impact the wallet of the average Illinoisan? The non-partisan think tank Energy Innovation found that in
How does ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ impact energy sector? Read More »