2024 Conservation Day at the Capitol
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IEC Five-Year Strategic Plan
IEC is unveiling our new Five-Year Strategic Plan. After a robust internal planning period, with distinct attention to equity, diversity & inclusion, we’re proud to launch our update mission, vision and strategic plan.
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Agriculture and Environmental Experts Comment on Release of Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Report, Call for Greater Accountability and Leadership to Protect Health of Lands and Waters
Springfield, IL (December 1, 2023) — Experts from five organizations representing agriculture, environmental policy, and conservation across Illinois released statements on the recent Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy (NLRS) biennial report, developed by the Illinois Department of Agriculture and Illinois Environmental Protection Agency. While the point-source sector, primarily sewage treatment facilities, continues to progress in reducing
Monarch butterfly license plates finally available in Illinois
After seven years in the making, the state has unveiled the monarch butterfly decal license plate. Proceeds from the decals will benefit the Illinois Department of Natural Resources’ Monarch Habitat Fund, which fosters habitats that support the beloved orange butterflies’ migratory journey south to Mexico each fall. The organization has a goal of adding 150
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Space to Grow: Greening Chicago One Playground At A Time
As the climate crisis looms and the unending pace of development threatens natural spaces across the country, it is imperative that green initiatives are advanced and that the benefits of those initiatives are shared among those who are already experiencing the impacts of the climate crisis.
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Taking Flight: The Story Behind Illinois’ Long Awaited Monarch License Plates
Here’s some conservation news years in the making: in 2016, Illinois passed a law greenlighting a monarch license plate decal which would generate funding for pollinator habitat in IL. A few years, and 2,000 pledges from enviros later and the Decal is finally here!
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Out of Office: Looking Back on the 2023 Legislative Tour Season
Our 2023 Legislative Tour season has come to an end, which means it’s time to take a look back on all the amazing places we took legislators and other key decision-makers to over the past few months.
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Illinois Environmental Council Applauds Milestone in Monarch Butterfly License Plate Specialty Decal Project
Monarch Decals to Soon Be in the Hands of Interested Illinois Drivers CHICAGO – Today, the Illinois Secretary of State’s Office, in a joint announcement with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, rolled out the brand new specialty Monarch Butterfly license plate decal after legislative approval seven years ago. Having played a key role in
Trust the Land: Looking at the Impacts of the Natural Areas Stewardship Act
The Natural Areas Stewardship Act allows IDNR to award grants to conservationists like land trusts. Now, over 5 years into the law, take a look back at the impacts of this bill with IEC’s Conservation Director Lindsay Keeney— the wins, progress made and the work that couldn’t have been done without it.
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A Closer Look: Mayor Johnson’s FY2024 Chicago City Budget
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.
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2023 Environmental Scorecard
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
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Rep. Rita’s Legislation to Reduce Fishing License Fees Becomes Law
State Rep. Bob Rita has a new solution in Illinois law for anyone interested in fishing across the state but not so sure about paying the license fee. Rita, D-Blue Island, this year led the push for House Bill 2317. The bill significantly reduces the license fee for sport fishing or spearing for anyone 26 years
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2023 Chicago Transition Report Analysis
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
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 environmentalists push for state action to protect wetlands after Supreme Court ruling rolls back federal rules
Across the country, marshes, swamps and bogs quietly soak up flood water and filter pollutants. Ecologists agree they are one of the best natural defenses against climate change. But after a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling, more than half of the country’s 118 million acres of wetlands, according to estimates from the environmental firm Earthjustice, will
Jen Walling Opinion: What Illinois can do since Supreme Court gutted federal protection of wetlands, waterways
The Supreme Court last week restricted the EPA’s ability to protect America’s waterways and wetlands. Illinois can’t afford to sit back and do nothing to protect both in our state, the head of the Illinois Environmental Council writes. Gov. J.B. Pritzker, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and the Illinois Legislature must act immediately to
2023 Environmental Legislative Update
Important deadlines this week and big updates on priority bills
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2023 Environmental Legislative Update
Important deadlines this week and big updates on priority bills
2023 Environmental Legislative Update Read More »
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.
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