More than a month after the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers halted work on the Brandon Road Lock and Dam near Joliet, part of a $1.15 billion project to keep invasive carp out of the Great Lakes, the agency announced last week it would resume construction.
Mayor Brandon Johnson signed an executive order Tuesday directing city departments to intensify scrutiny of new data centers in Chicago — a politically potent move that doesn’t unilaterally impose new limits on the fast-growing industry, but could slow its growth.
Every year, the Illinois Environmental Council (IEC) issues a voting scorecard that grades members of the Illinois General Assembly on how they voted for bills affecting the environment.
Richard Chew is joined by Dany Robles, senior legislative director at the Illinois Environmental Council (IEC); he talks about IEC’s 2026 Legislative Environmental Scorecard.
WCPT 820 Interview: Dany Robles Read More »
Commercial pesticides are being detected in public spaces like schools and parks, according to recently released research by Prairie Rivers Network, an Illinois-based nonprofit that advocates for water health. In addition, environmental advocates say Illinois doesn’t have an established method to track agricultural pesticide drift and lacks the regulations to prevent exposure like what occurred in Morton.
Illinois is requiring polluters to begin reporting spills of industrial plastic pellets known as nurdles, a growing source of contamination in the Great Lakes and Mississippi River watersheds.
IEC’s state legislative team has published our 2026 Environmental Scorecard evaluating the performance of every Illinois state legislator based on their environmental voting record.
2026 Environmental Scorecard Read More »
One year ago, the Illinois Environmental Council warned that H.R.1, dubbed the “Big Ugly Bill,” would impact Illinois’ clean energy economy, weaken environmental protections, and make it harder for families and communities to thrive. One year later, we revisited those projections by reviewing updated economic analyses, federal implementation, and conversations with our partners across Illinois to understand what has changed and what challenges remain.
From Warning to Reality: One Year After the “Big Ugly Bill” Read More »
Every spring and summer, Chicago basements flood like clockwork, but this isn’t just bad luck with the weather. It is the direct collision of a 1930s sewer network, a rapidly shifting climate, and decades of systemic urban disinvestment. Chicago’s Deep Tunnel project can’t save us alone, we need to embrace water policy and nature-based climate resilience.
Why Does My Street Flood? Read More »
IEC’s state legislative team has published our 2026 Legislative Report detailing environmental wins and setbacks during this year’s legislative session.
2026 Legislative Report Read More »
Quick look at what did and didn’t pass this session.
Capitol Dispatch 6.1.26: That’s a wrap on the 2026 Spring Legislative Session Read More »
Stage Now Set for Chicago’s Comprehensive Cumulative Impact Ordinance
IL Legislature Makes Historic Progress on Environmental Justice Policy Read More »
We’ve reached another important deadline as we move into the final week of session. Learn more about the current status of important bills.
Where environmental priorities stand now Read More »
We’ve reached an important deadline in both chambers. Learn more about where important bills stand now as we move further into the final weeks of the regular legislative session.
What you might have missed in Springfield at Third Reading Deadline Read More »
The Honorable Barbara Flynn Currie remains an inspiration to all of us at the Illinois Environmental Council. Learn more about her lasting environmental legacy today.
Remembering the honorable Barbara Flynn Currie Read More »
Strong Support Turns Out for Today’s House Committee Vote
Advocates Celebrate Step Forward for Wetlands Protection Read More »
Our legislative team at IEC has been hard at work making sure bill sponsors have the tools and public support they need to move our environmental priorities forward this session.
Legislative Business is Heating Up in the Halls of the State Capitol Read More »
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 »
Explore the environmental movement’s legislative agenda, including all of the most important environmental bills this session!
Illinois’ 2026 Environmental Legislative Agenda Read More »
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 »
Sergio Vargas represented IEC at the Wild Things Conference in Southern Illinois. He’s energized and optimistic about the state of conservation, knowing we have such a powerful community willing to join the fight.
Wild Ones: Building Power at Wild Things Read More »
