IEC’s City Programs Director, Iyana Simba, provides an in depth analysis of Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s proposed budget for 2024, including the re-establishment of Chicago’s Department of Environment.
Illinois Environmental Council Releases Annual Scorecard (SPRINGFIELD, IL) – The Illinois Environmental Council (IEC) released its 2023 Legislative Environmental Scorecard today. The scorecard, which is released annually, assigns a percentage score to legislators based on how they voted on bills affecting the environment. This year, 17 state representatives and 10 state senators received 100% scores …
State Legislators Earn Coveted Top Marks for Their Environmental Voting Record Read More »
IEC is proud to present our 2023 Environmental Scorecard for the Illinois General Assembly. Scores are based on the environmental impact of their voting record over the last legislative session. We hope this will be a useful resource and allow you to see whether your legislators have used their power in the General Assembly to …
Illinois — Today, Governor JB Pritzker issued an amendatory veto on HB3445—legislation that would have given Ameren, the private utility company that serves much of Central and Southern Illinois, a “Right of First Refusal” to build regional transmission lines in Southern Illinois. Under this bill, Ameren would have been given first dibs on building new …
Illinois — Today, Governor JB Pritzker vetoed SB76—a bill that would have lifted Illinois’ decades-old moratorium on new nuclear power plants. Responding to growing concerns about safety, waste and cost associated with nuclear power generation, the Illinois General Assembly passed a moratorium on developing new nuclear facilities within the state in 1987. Those concerns remain …
IEC’s City Programs Director, Iyana Simba, provides an in depth analysis of Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s Transition Report, with attention to Environmental Justice goals for the city.
IEC’s state policy team has published our 2023 Legislative Report detailing environmental wins and setbacks during this year’s legislative session.
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 …
Congratulations, Chicago Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson Read More »
In June 2019, I wrote a blog post introducing readers to one of the Illinois Environmental Council’s most successful programs, legislative tours. Since then, we’ve conducted dozens of informative “tours” with legislators and local officials, taking them out of their office buildings and into the natural areas we need their help to protect.
Gov. JB Pritzker unveiled his 2024 budget proposal. Check it out to see how and which environmental priorities will be funded next year.
IEC recently had the pleasure of hosting President Biden’s National Climate Advisor, Ali Zaidi, for a breakfast with leaders from Illinois’ environmental community.
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 …
Gov. Pritzker Signs Legislation Protecting Clean Energy Projects Read More »
Illinois is home to a diverse range of natural landscapes: from native prairie lands to forest preserves and state parks to marshes, rivers, and other iconic waterways. A large part of IEC’s mission is preserving these natural spaces and building healthy environments for the communities who call them home; however, this mission cannot be approached in the same exact way for each and every community across the state.
In June 2019, I wrote a blog post introducing readers to one of the Illinois Environmental Council’s most successful programs, legislative tours. Since then, we’ve conducted dozens of informative “tours” with legislators and local officials, taking them out of their office buildings and into the natural areas we need their help to protect.
End of life planning is not the most exciting subject for many people. Folks tend to avoid it whenever they can! But not having the conversation means people are unaware of their potential opportunities.
Mayor Lori Lightfoot proposed her $16.7 billion FY2023 budget with a heavy focus on pensions, public safety, and reducing the city’s debt. Additionally, the Mayor announced the Office of Climate and Environmental Equity which will be funded at $640,056 for six positions.
From our conversations in Illinois communities and the surveys we collected, it is clear there is overwhelming support for an increase and acceleration of conservation in Illinois. Over 85% of respondents believe that 4% of Illinois land in protection is not enough.
On the heels of the release of Chicago’s Climate Action Plan, IEC will break down what’s in the plan, what’s not and what more needs to be done.
Chicago, IL – Jen Walling, Executive Director of the Illinois Environmental Council released the following statement on the tragedy in Uvalde, TX: “It is beyond time for meaningful gun control reform. What happened yesterday has happened before and will again if obstructionists in power do nothing. It’s clear to me that our vision for a safe …
Springfield, IL – Today, the Illinois Environmental Council (IEC), state affiliate of the League of Conservation Voters (LCV), announced the Illinois congressional delegation’s scores on LCV’s 2021 National Environmental Scorecard. The Scorecard is the primary yardstick for evaluating the environmental records of members of Congress since 1970 and is available for download in English here, …
Gov. JB Pritzker unveiled his 2023 budget proposal. Check it out to see how and which environmental priorities will be funded next year.
(Springfield, IL) – Today, the Illinois Environmental Council (IEC) reacted to Gov. JB Pritzker’s annual State of the State address and FY23 budget proposal issuing the following statement: “The Illinois Environmental Council applauds Gov. JB Pritzker for proposing a state budget that prioritizes resources for combatting climate change, a first in Illinois history. Never before …
Learn what our 100% clean energy future will look like with the implementation of the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act!
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 …
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 …
“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 …
Statement: Illinois Environmental Council on latest energy bill agreement Read More »
Springfield, IL (September 9, 2021) — The Illinois Environmental Council Executive Director Jen Walling issued the following statement on the House passage of the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act SB2408: “We are closer than ever before to passing the nation’s most comprehensive, equitable climate bill. The passage of SB2408 today in the House of Representatives …
CHICAGO (August 30, 2021)–Following is a statement from Jen Walling, executive director of the Illinois Environmental Council, on the latest climate and energy bill released today: “We stand on the precipice of passing comprehensive climate and equitable jobs legislation in Illinois. This moment comes after a years-long campaign, and our even longer strategic effort to …
Statement: Illinois Environmental Council on latest version of energy bill Read More »
Don’t wait on leadership to act on climate– here are some simple ways to start decarbonizing your own home!
Congress must pass once-in-a-generation investments in clean energy and infrastructure necessary to tackle the climate crisis.
Reaching 30 x 30 in Illinois is a mighty, but worthy challenge.
We are hosting a small training session for folks interested in learning about how they can encourage their friends and neighbors to support the Clean Energy Jobs Act through the opinion section in their local newspaper!
SPRINGFIELD, IL — Today, Illinois Environmental Council Executive Director Jen Walling released the following statement in response to Gov. JB Pritzker’s remarks regarding climate change and his decision to prioritize clean energy legislation during his 2020 State of the State address: “At a time when the Trump administration is taking major steps backward on climate, …
HB3481 heading to governor’s desk for signature SPRINGFIELD, IL — Today, the Illinois State Senate voted to repeal the Kyoto Protocol Act of 1998, a law prohibiting the state from creating restrictions on greenhouse gas emissions and addressing climate change. House Bill 3481, which is sponsored by State Sen. Laura Ellman (D – Naperville), passed …
General Assembly Repeals Act Preventing Greenhouse Gas Regulation Read More »
Find the full PDF online here or scroll down to read. Legislative report Illinois is the first state to ban microbeads Protecting of Illinois’ wildlife Energy issues in Illinois Review of veto session
Fint the full PDF online here or scroll down to read. Reflecting on environmental impact of Obama and Quinn victories Illinois could be a leader with Clean Cars legislation Update on Mercury Profile of Prairie Rivers Network Review of annual meeting List of upcoming events
Find the full PDF online here or scroll down to read. Legislature takes action to save state parks Public forums on climate change Profile on Faith in Place Review of Environmental Leadership Dinner List of upcoming events
Find the full PDF online here or scroll down to read. Review of spring session Report on the Global Warming Response Act Profile on the Respiratory Health Association of Metropolitan Chicago
Find the full PDF online here or scroll down to read. New global warming initiative heats up Springfield Profile on Decatur’s Community Environmental Council
Find the full PDF online here or scroll down to read. Review of Environmental Leadership Dinner US Senate candidate Barack Obama’s environmental agenda
Find the full PDF online here or scroll down to read. Spring session review Governor Ryan plans summit on coal, energy, and clean air Illinois in top 10 for coal plant emissions Legislation to clean-up aging power plants postponed Wildlife Prairie Park declared premier wildlife park
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