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Climate Change

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Big Ugly Bill Passes U.S. Congress, Reversing Critical Climate and Environment Protections

State-level action needed to safeguard consumers and Illinois’ climate goals ILLINOIS — Today, U.S. Congressional Republicans passed H.R. 1, informally known as the “Big Beautiful Bill,” a sweeping reconciliation package that dismantles the landmark provisions of the Inflation Reduction Act while expanding fossil fuel development, rolling back environmental protections, restricting safety net programs, and extending […]

Big Ugly Bill Passes U.S. Congress, Reversing Critical Climate and Environment Protections Read More »

Shine On: Illinois Hopes to Continue Solar Boom Despite Federal Headwinds

Renewable energy advocates point to a 2021 law and state dollars as reasons for optimism in a challenging time. Illinois Shines, the state’s incentive program for on-site and community solar, is funded through a dedicated line item on ratepayer electric bills, noted Samira Hanessian, director of energy policy for the Illinois Environmental Council, an umbrella

Shine On: Illinois Hopes to Continue Solar Boom Despite Federal Headwinds Read More »

Illinois legislators skip on several environmental bills

Some big environmental bills — dealing with transit, clean energy, plastics and more — fizzled last week in Springfield. Advocates say they’re ready to pick up the pieces. Why it matters: State environmental protections have grown in importance for climate advocates as the Trump administration rolls back regulations at the federal level. Biggest losses Public transit: The General Assembly’s failure

Illinois legislators skip on several environmental bills Read More »

Illinois’ Climate Goals and Consumers At Risk Amidst Legislature’s Inaction

Illinois General Assembly misses opportunity to deliver cleaner, lower-cost, more reliable energy amidst rising costs, increasingly extreme weather, and federal mismanagement. ILLINOIS — Today, just one day before energy bills are expected to spike across Illinois, the General Assembly failed to pass the Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability (CRGA) Act, which would have taken critical

Illinois’ Climate Goals and Consumers At Risk Amidst Legislature’s Inaction Read More »

Smoke from Canadian wildfires moving into Chicago area, raising concerns about air quality

Smoke from out-of-control wildfires in Canada is drifting into the Chicago area on Friday, and while conditions won’t be as severe as when smoke from Canadian wildfires repeatedly blanketed Chicago two years ago, the haze is nonetheless raising public health concerns. Environmental experts said Chicagoans should pay attention to any alerts and be conscious of air quality. Canadian officials

Smoke from Canadian wildfires moving into Chicago area, raising concerns about air quality Read More »

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Illinois’ Environmental Organizations Admonish U.S. House Republican Budget as Extreme, Expensive, and Anti-Environment

Rep. LaHood receives backlash for voting to strip constituents of major local investments ILLINOIS — Today, U.S. House Republicans passed the most anti-environment budget reconciliation bill in history, gutting federal environmental protections and consumer cost-saving measures that protect working families, create good-paying clean energy jobs, and safeguard our climate. The bill now heads to the

Illinois’ Environmental Organizations Admonish U.S. House Republican Budget as Extreme, Expensive, and Anti-Environment Read More »

‘Bring Your Own New Clean Energy’: a proposed fix for Illinois’ power grid shortcomings draws criticism from manufacturers

Illinois has a growing energy problem. There are a few reasons for why that is — coal and natural gas plants are closing, and regional grid operators are acting too slowly in connecting new wind and solar projects to the larger grid, but above all else, the state is using more energy than it ever

‘Bring Your Own New Clean Energy’: a proposed fix for Illinois’ power grid shortcomings draws criticism from manufacturers Read More »

Activists rally for climate legislation in Springfield during annual Climate Action Lobby Day

Hannah Flath, the senior climate communications manager for the Illinois Environmental Council, said the day gave advocates a unique opportunity to speak directly to elected representatives.  “Our lawmakers work for us,” Flath said. “And so lobby day gives constituents across the state the opportunity to voice their opinions with their lawmakers and urge them to

Activists rally for climate legislation in Springfield during annual Climate Action Lobby Day Read More »

Summer electric price spike fuels policy tensions in Springfield

Price hike due to lack of energy supply comes alongside rocky transition to renewable power. Customers around Illinois will see significantly higher prices on their electric bills next month. “We’re trying to keep prices low while combating climate change,” Jen Walling, head of the Illinois Environmental Council, told Capitol News Illinois. The IEC has been

Summer electric price spike fuels policy tensions in Springfield Read More »

As U.S. House Republicans Pass the Most Expensive Anti-Environment Bill in History, Illinoisans Call for State Action on Climate and Consumer Protections

ILLINOIS – Early Thursday morning, House Republicans passed a reconciliation bill that wipes out good-paying clean energy jobs and raises energy costs for families by gutting the historic progress made in the bipartisan Inflation Reduction Act. Hours earlier at the Illinois State Capitol on Wednesday, hundreds of community leaders, environmental advocates, faith leaders, business representatives, consumer

As U.S. House Republicans Pass the Most Expensive Anti-Environment Bill in History, Illinoisans Call for State Action on Climate and Consumer Protections Read More »

Opinion: An urgent, united call to save — and strengthen — public transit

Public transit is the backbone of our economy, connecting millions of commuters, tourists and visitors to work, our world-class museums and arts institutions, school, health care and more every single day. Yet, across the country, cities are facing multimillion-dollar transit budget shortfalls — or a “transit fiscal cliff.” Chicago is no different. We’re at a

Opinion: An urgent, united call to save — and strengthen — public transit Read More »

In Illinois, an invisible boundary determines how dirty and costly your electricity is

The town of Ottawa lies in central Illinois 12 miles from a nuclear power plant and a wind turbine farm that stretches past the horizon. However, these facilities sit on the other side of an invisible boundary between two regional power grids.  By mutual agreement among utilities that own the grids and power plants, that

In Illinois, an invisible boundary determines how dirty and costly your electricity is Read More »

Clock counting down to secure state funding before drastic service cuts to CTA, Metra, Pace

A warning has been issued to anyone who takes public transportation in Chicago — with drastic service cuts looming, Illinois legislators only have until the end of the month to decide what to do and how to address it. Transit advocates are taking to the streets every week to warn riders. They say the cuts are as

Clock counting down to secure state funding before drastic service cuts to CTA, Metra, Pace Read More »

Legislative Champions, Consumer and Environmental Advocates Urge Passage of Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability (CRGA) Act

(SPRINGFIELD, IL)—Today, legislative champions joined consumer and environmental advocates to urge the Illinois General Assembly to pass the Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act (SB2473/HB3779) amidst surging energy demand sparked by data centers and unprecedented threats to consumers, our grid, and our climate. “Three years ago, Illinois passed the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act, which

Legislative Champions, Consumer and Environmental Advocates Urge Passage of Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability (CRGA) Act Read More »

After groundbreaking bills on jobs and solar, Illinois tackles the grid

State lawmakers are pushing for more grid-enhancing tech, gigawatts of new energy storage, and the creation of a virtual power plant program.Since 2017, sweeping legislation in Illinois has sparked a solar power boom and launched ambitious energy equity and green jobs programs. Now, for the third time in under a decade, state lawmakers, advocates, and industry groups have their sights set

After groundbreaking bills on jobs and solar, Illinois tackles the grid Read More »

City Club of Chicago: Navigating Change: The Local Impact of President Trump’s Early Days in Office

Join us for a panel discussion that will explore the impact of President Trump’s executive orders on key areas including LGBTQ+ rights, immigration, and environmental issues. Experts will analyze how these actions are affecting local residents, communities, and businesses, offering insights into the evolving legal, economic, and social implications. This panel will address the immediate

City Club of Chicago: Navigating Change: The Local Impact of President Trump’s Early Days in Office Read More »

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