Climate Change Archives - Page 2 of 4 - Illinois Environmental Council

Illinois Environmental Groups Applaud Vetoes by Pritzker

August 23, 2023

The decisions underscore the governor’s commitment to “choose climate action, every time.” Environmental groups in Illinois are commending Gov. JB Pritzker for vetoing bills this month that would have expanded nuclear power, given a utility first dibs on new transmission line projects and advanced a controversial highway expansion project. This comes after little luck passing […]

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Governor Pritzker Vetoes Legislation That Would Have Allowed Ameren to Monopolize Transmission Projects

August 16, 2023

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

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Moratorium on New Nuclear Remains in Place in Illinois Thanks to Governor Pritzker’s Veto

August 11, 2023

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

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2023 Chicago Transition Report Analysis

August 1, 2023

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.

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2023 Legislative Report

July 24, 2023

IEC’s state policy team has published our 2023 Legislative Report detailing environmental wins and setbacks during this year’s legislative session.

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Illinois environmental bills seek to improve soil health, ban state use of polystyrene foam containers

May 18, 2023

Several pieces of environmental legislation are making their way through the Illinois General Assembly on what was scheduled to be the final week of the spring legislative session. The proposals range from shifting the state’s procurement requirements to a measure aimed at improving soil health on Illinois farms. But environmental advocates gave mixed reviews on

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Carbon capture technology draws the attention of lawmakers, environmental advocates

April 25, 2023

As Illinois considers ways to achieve its goal of relying entirely on clean energy by 2050, one technology that has courted controversy is carbon capture. Carbon capture is a method whereby carbon dioxide, a common greenhouse gas, is placed in long-term storage, usually by injection into wells in geologic formations thousands of feet underground. These

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Activists Rally at Illinois Capitol, Urging Lawmakers to Pass 9 Climate and Environmental Bills

April 21, 2023

Hundreds of environmental activists rallied at the Illinois State Capitol, urging legislators to support bills that advance environmental justice and protection and that address climate change. Advocates also delivered a letter to the governor’s office demanding tighter vehicle emissions rules. Dany Robles, climate policy director at the Illinois Environmental Council, said he’s noticed more environmental

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Environmentalists advocate slate of bills: What to know

April 19, 2023

Ahead of Earth Day, environmentalists rallied at the state Capitol to push lawmakers to act on bills they say will make Illinois more green. The crowd of a few hundred met outside the Lincoln statue before heading to Gov. JB Pritzker’s capitol office to deliver a letter requesting his signature on the legislation if it

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Congratulations, Chicago Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson

April 17, 2023

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

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Earth Month at IEC: Legislators in the Wild

April 14, 2023

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.

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Analysis: Governor’s FY2024 Budget Address

February 16, 2023

Gov. JB Pritzker unveiled his 2024 budget proposal. Check it out to see how and which environmental priorities will be funded next year.

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The Decisive Decade

February 7, 2023

IEC hosted President Biden’s National Climate Advisor, Ali Zaidi, at a breakfast with leaders from Illinois’ environmental community.

The Decisive Decade Read More »

Gov. Pritzker Signs Legislation Protecting Clean Energy Projects

February 6, 2023

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

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A federal bill with bipartisan support could bring 20x more money to Illinois conservation efforts

December 13, 2022

That manatees still swim along Florida’s coast, grizzly bears still roam the west and bald eagles still fly in North American skies is due, in large part, to the Endangered Species Act of 1973 — once described by the Supreme Court as “the most comprehensive legislation for the preservation of endangered species enacted by any nation.”

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Jen Walling: Pritzker should extend national climate leadership to nature-based solutions

December 12, 2022

Illinois is beautiful. Anyone who argues otherwise hasn’t experienced Shawnee’s Garden of the Gods at sunset, the rolling hills near the Apple River, the Mississippi River viewed from the top of the bluffs, waterfalls from Waterfall Glen in the suburbs to Ferne Clyffe in Shawnee, or Lake Michigan at sunrise. In his next term, Gov.

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A Southeast Side Story: A Closer look at Environmental Justice, Resistance and Sustainability on the East Side

December 2, 2022

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.

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2022 Legislative Tours: Legislators in the Wild

December 1, 2022

2022 Legislative Tours: Legislators in the Wild Read More »

Leaving a Sustainable Legacy for Generations to Come When We Die

October 28, 2022

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.

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What’s in Chicago’s proposed 2023 Budget?

October 14, 2022

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.

What’s in Chicago’s proposed 2023 Budget? Read More »

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