Chicago Government Affairs Internship
The Illinois Environmental Council (IEC) is looking for a summer intern to join our amazing team.
Chicago Government Affairs Internship Read More »
Climate Action
Development Internship
The Illinois Environmental Council (IEC) is looking for a summer intern to join our amazing team.
Development Internship Read More »
Clean Energy Policy Internship
The Illinois Environmental Council (IEC) is looking for a summer intern to join our amazing team.
Clean Energy Policy Internship Read More »
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 »
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.
The Environmental Impacts of the Illinois Budget (FY2027) Read More »
Human composting offers an environmentally friendly end. Some are pushing to legalize it in Illinois.
Jennifer Walling, executive director of the advocacy nonprofit Illinois Environmental Council, said the organization has been working with state lawmakers to pass a bill for the last three years. “It’s frustrating to see this choice taken away,” she said.
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,”
POWER Act: Lawmakers seek to regulate new data centers’ power, water usage
“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.
POWER Act: Lawmakers seek to regulate new data centers’ power, water usage Read More »
Environmental groups push to reign in data centers
Jen Walling: We don’t really know how many data centers there are. We coula expect anywhere from 100 to 195, they can be small or really large, but it’s impacting everyone already. Consumers were seeing their rates increase already last summer and those rates are due to Big Tech.
Environmental groups push to reign in data centers Read More »
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 »