Climate Action

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 […]

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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

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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. 

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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,

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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

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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

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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

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Illinois Environmental Council Applauds Passage of Next-Generation Climate Policy 

Springfield, IL — Today, after passage in the State House yesterday, the Illinois State Senate passed the Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act (SB25), which accelerates Illinois’ clean energy progress and gives consumers tools to save money on their energy bills. In response, Illinois Environmental Council Chief Executive Officer Jen Walling released the following statement:

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Gov. JB Pritzker set to approve energy bill boosting battery storage for renewables despite debate over costs

SPRINGFIELD — Sweeping energy-related legislation that backs the use of big batteries to help make wind and solar power more effective but has raised questions about whether it will increase or decrease energy bills cleared the Illinois Senate Thursday night and will be headed to Gov. JB Pritzker, who signaled he would sign the measure into law.

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House passes energy bill amid debate over costs to consumers

Proponents say energy storage, efficiency programs will save money, critics wary of claims SPRINGFIELD — Illinoisans could see a new line item on their electric bills under a bill passed Wednesday night by the Illinois House. Under the proposal, contained in an amendment to Senate Bill 25, ratepayers will subsidize energy storage projects like large battery

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Renewable Energy Act Before Illinois Legislature Would Decrease Stress on Ratepayers, Advocates Say

Groups are pushing the state General Assembly to pass the Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act, as increased strain on the grid has led to energy price spikes. Illinois advocacy groups are pressing state legislators to pass a package of comprehensive energy reforms that would help the state reach its clean energy goals and could

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Illinois Residents Urge Lawmakers to Act on Transit, Energy Bills

As part of a “People Over Polluters” event, more than 100 local environmental advocates traveled to the state capital to lobby during the state’s short fall veto session. SPRINGFIELD, Ill.—To meet with state lawmakers here, Michael Churchill, 24, left his home south of Chicago at 3 a.m. Wednesday, took a rideshare to a commuter rail

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