2023 Environmental Legislative Update, May 23
Important deadlines this week and big updates on priority bills
conservation
400+ Illinoisans Advocate for Slate of Legislation Promoting Environmental Protection and Climate Justice
Springfield, IL. — More than 400 Illinoisans mobilized today to urge their representatives in the Illinois General Assembly to pass bills that protect the environment and address climate injustices impacting historically marginalized communities across Illinois. At a rally outside of the Capitol Building and during meetings with legislators, advocates and activists called for the legislature …
Earth Month at IEC: Legislators in the Wild
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.
2023 Environmental Legislative Update, April 11
Important deadlines this week and big updates on priority bills
2023 Environmental Legislative Update, March 28
Important deadlines this week and big updates on priority bills
2023 Environmental Legislative Update, March 10
Important deadlines this week and big updates on priority bills
Priceless Bell Bowl Prairie Demolished in Rockford, IL
Advocates respond, calling the destruction ‘devastating’ Rockford, IL – Much of the ancient Bell Bowl Prairie was demolished this morning as bulldozers for the Greater Rockford Airport Authority (GRAA) rolled through the most pristine acres of the ancient prairie land following Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) clearance. “The destruction of Bell Bowl Prairie is nothing short …
Priceless Bell Bowl Prairie Demolished in Rockford, IL Read More »
Illinois’ 2023 Enviro Legislative Priorities
See the top environmental bills being considered by the Illinois General Assembly this year.
2023 Chicago Environmental Mayor Report
From clean energy to transportation to urban conservation, IEC’s Mayoral Report lays out both small & lofty objectives that the mayor ought to tackle to make Chicago a sustainable city.
IEC Policy Platform
We convened town halls open to the public, all of our 100+ affiliate organizations, our individual members and our staff to deliberate and develop the policy solutions endorsed by our Illinois environmental movement.
A Southeast Side Story: A Closer look at Environmental Justice, Resistance and Sustainability on the East Side
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.
2022 Legislative Tours: Legislators in the Wild
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.
Conservation and Agriculture Town Hall
Monday, November 14 | 6-7:30 pm | Register via Zoom using the form below IEC is hosting a series of three town halls for our supporters. At the Conservation and Agriculture Town Hall, participants will hear from IEC and our partners on the most pressing issues facing Illinois and our current advocacy plans. We’re reserving …
Leaving a Sustainable Legacy for Generations to Come When We Die
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.
The Illinois is Beautiful Initiative
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.
Why Chicago needs Department of Environment and why we need one now
A decade ago, the City of Chicago under the Emanuel administration dissolved its Department of Environment, leaving a broad range of environmental issues to be dealt with across scattered and, at times, understaffed city departments. It’s long past time to reestablish Chicago’s Department of Environment, read our blog to learn why.
Agriculture Lease Agreements with Illinois Department of Natural Resources
In December of 2021, Lindsay Keeney and Eliot Clay of the Illinois Environmental Council (IEC) sat down with Mike Chandler and Bob Caveny of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) to discuss the department’s agriculture lease program. Mike Chandler is the Agricultural Lease Manager for the IDNR and has been with the department for 29 years. Bob Caveny is the Farm Programs Manager and has been with IDNR for 10 years.
Illinois’ 2022 Enviro Legislative Agenda
See the top environmental bills being considered by the Illinois General Assembly this year.
A Look at Chicago’s Environmental Justice Battles, Impacts and Solutions
Though Chicago has recently made historic climate and environmental justice budget investments, the city still has much to do in the way of ensuring equitable public health and environmental protections in our EJ communities.
From the Halls of Government to Some of Illinois’ Most Beautiful Places
Get a peek behind the scenes during some of our farm and conservation tour stops with Illinois legislators and decision makers.
Statement on U.S. House Passage of the Build Back Better Act, Once-in-a-Generation Climate Legislation
Springfield, IL — The Illinois Environmental Council issued the following statement in response to the passage of historic climate legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives: “Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the strongest climate bill in United States history. Thank you Reps. Bustos, Casten, Davis, Foster, Garcia, Kelly, Krishnamoorthi, Newman, Quigley, Rush, Schakowsky, …
Statement: Illinois Environmental Council Issues Statement on President Biden’s Build Back Better Act Framework Announcement
Springfield, IL — Today, following President Biden’s announcement of a new framework for his Build Back Better Act, the Illinois Environmental Council issued the following statement of support: “Today, after thousands of Illinoisans and millions across the nation called, knocked on doors, and demanded action, President Biden has finally announced a framework for the strongest …
Statement: Illinois Environmental Council Applauds Chicago’s Approved FY2022 Budget
CHICAGO — The Illinois Environmental Council issued the following statement of support following Chicago’s Fiscal Year 2022 budget vote: “The Illinois Environmental Council applauds Mayor Lori Lightfoot and the Chicago City Council Alderpersons who voted in support of the FY2022 budget for passing the single largest environmental investment in Chicago’s history. This historic investment in …
Statement: Illinois Environmental Council Applauds Chicago’s Approved FY2022 Budget Read More »
Conserving 30×30
https://youtu.be/AvK-0N3M1O8 This Lunch & Learn explores the global 30×30 initiative, and how Illinois can plug in and preserve more of our precious natural spaces.
48 State Legislators Score 100% on Illinois Environmental Council Scorecard
(SPRINGFIELD, IL) – The Illinois Environmental Council (IEC) released its 2021 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, 38 state representatives and 10 state senators received 100% scores based on their record on 16 …
48 State Legislators Score 100% on Illinois Environmental Council Scorecard Read More »
Analysis: Mayor’s 2022 Budget Address
Mayor Lightfoot unveiled her 2022 budget proposal. Check it out to see how and which environmental priorities will be funded next year.
Illinois Environmental Council Celebrates the Passage of the Native Plants Gardens Registry Ordinance
CHICAGO (Sept. 14, 2021) — Today, the Illinois Environmental Council (IEC) issued the following statement on the unanimous passage of the Native Plants Gardens Registry Ordinance (O2021-362) during today’s Chicago City Council meeting: “While Chicago has long emphasized the importance of native plants within their own messaging and institutions, policies in the city have not …
Statement Celebrating the Committee Passage of the Native Gardens Registry Ordinance
CHICAGO (Sept. 13, 2021) — Today, the Illinois Environmental Council (IEC) issued the following statement on the passage of the Native Plants Gardens Registry Ordinance (O2021-362) during today’s Chicago City Council Committee on Environmental Protection and Energy meeting: “Today, the City moved an important step closer to cultivating native plants and sustainable landscapes for Chicagoans …
Statement Celebrating the Committee Passage of the Native Gardens Registry Ordinance Read More »
2021 IEC Legislative Report
IEC is pleased to release our 2021 Legislative Report. We are proud to report that we advanced a broad and ambitious agenda, defeated potentially damaging legislation and secured important appropriations in the state budget.
2021 End of Session Environmental Legislative Update
See the top environmental bills being considered by the Illinois General Assembly this year.
2021 Environmental Legislative Update, May 14
See the top environmental bills being considered by the Illinois General Assembly this year.
30 x 30: An opportunity for Illinois
Reaching 30 x 30 in Illinois is a mighty, but worthy challenge.
2021 Environmental Legislative Update, April 16
See the top environmental bills being considered by the Illinois General Assembly this year.
Illinois Environmental Council Announces Illinois’ 2021 Environmental Legislative Agenda
Agenda Tackles Clean Energy, Clean Water, Sustainable Agriculture, Wildlife Protections and More SPRINGFIELD, IL — On behalf of their over 100 member affiliate organizations, the Illinois Environmental Council (IEC) announced today Illinois’ annual environmental legislative agenda. The 2021 agenda tackles the environmental community’s priorities across a wide range of issues including clean energy, clean water, …
Illinois Environmental Council Announces Illinois’ 2021 Environmental Legislative Agenda Read More »
Illinois’ 2021 Enviro Legislative Agenda
See the top environmental bills being considered by the Illinois General Assembly this year.
FAQs: Managed Native Gardens Registry
Learn more about Chicago’s proposed Managed Native Gardens Registry Ordinance with this FAQ document!
Gov. Pritzker’s Mid-term
IEC’s environmental analysis of Gov. JB Pritzker’s administration midway through his first term.
Replace Toxic Lead Service Lines NOW
Take Action to ask your lawmakers to pass legislation replacing all toxic lead-contaminated service lines.
Piping Plovers
https://youtu.be/iP5sn2tfsrU A discussion on the recent nesting success of Monty and Rose, the now famous Chicago Piping Plover power couple. We’ll cover some natural history about Piping Plovers and why they are listed as endangered in the Great Lakes region. One part of this pair’s success has been the huge volunteer effort headed by the …
Endangered Species Act
For this session, IEC will be joined by NRDC to discuss the Endangered Species Act and the way that it is used to protect wildlife in Illinois and all over the United States. Presenters: Lucas Rhoads, Attorney at NRDC
Jen Walling’s List of Must-see Treasures in Southern Illinois
Many people overlook our natural areas as a major highlight of things Illinois has to offer, but that’s a mistake: Illinois is beautiful.
10 Great Illinois Spots and the Land and Water Conservation Fund
The LWCF has had an outstanding, though often unrecognized, impact on some of Illinois’ most significant places, from historically meaningful sites to a myriad of recreational spaces including national refuges and urban open spaces.
Documenting Pollinators with Photography
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=udbAZ5f7BjA In the 20th edition of the IEC Lunch and Learn Series, IEC is joined by Angella Moorehouse of Illinois Department of Natural Resources to discuss pollinator documentation using photography. Find links and resources from this session below: Illinois Department of Natural Resources website
Where & How to Get Outside During COVID-19
In the 19th edition of the IEC Lunch & Learn Series, Andrew Szwak from Openlands joins IEC to share where we can get outside during COVID-19 and the steps we need to take when doing so to stay safe. Find links and resources from the session below: Openlands website
History of the Spring Ephemeral Wildflower
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C2BTfuuxq3k In the 17th edition of the IEC Lunch & Learn Series, IEC is joined by Plant Ecologist and IEC Board Member Chris Benda (aka the Illinois Botanizer) to discuss wildflowers and prairie habitat in Illinois.
National Environmental Protection Act Rollbacks
In the 12th edition of the IEC Lunch & Learn Series, Rachel Granneman of ELPC and Stacy Meyers of Openlands join us to discuss the National Environmental Protection Act and recent rollbacks by the Trump administration. Find links and resources from the session below: Environmental Law & Policy Center website Openlands website EPA Summary of …
Bobcats in Illinois
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DNG1vp6txtUIn the eighth installment of IEC’s Lunch & Learn Series, Jennifer Kuroda from the Illinois Bobcat Foundation joins us to discuss bobcats in Illinois, including population levels, state policies affecting them and what you can do.
Pollinators and Backyard Habitat
In the seventh installment of IEC’s Lunch & Learn Series, Chris Young from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources joins us to discuss pollinators, creating habitat in your own backyard, and IDNR programs. Find links and resources from the presentation below: Illinois Native Plant Society Native Plant Sales Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation K-12 Pollinator …
Illinois’ 2020 Enviro Legislative Agenda
During this session, IEC focused on demonstrating public support for the Clean Energy Jobs Act (CEJA) and addressing ethylene oxide pollution.