The Illinois General Assembly adjourned on May 31st after passing a budget, which was signed by Governor Rauner the morning of June 4th. Read our budget update to learn more about the benefits to environmental programs of the fiscal year 2019 budget. The General Assembly likely will not meet again until after the election for […]
2018 Session in Review Read More »
By Mary VandervordPresident/CEO, HeartLands Conservancy What’s the mission of your organization?To sustain and enrich the diverse environmental resources of southwestern Illinois. To accomplish our mission HLC works with individuals, local governments, state and federal agencies, and other organizations on three priorities: conservation of open space, building greener communities, and engaging people with nature. Where in
Affiliate Feature: HeartLands Conservancy Read More »
By Jennifer WallingExecutive Director, IEC Governor Rauner’s Illinois Department of Natural Resources recently increased the number of bobcat hunting permits from 500 to 1,000 for the upcoming season. The announcement of an increase in the number of permits was issued despite the fact that there is currently a bill sitting on the Governor’s desk that
Illinois Bobcat Hunting Program is Flawed Read More »
The proposed constitutional amendment could have unintended consequences for conservation in Illinois. You can read the Safe Roads Constitutional Amendment in its entirety here. This amendment to Illinois’ constitution purports to keep the gas tax in a “lockbox” that can only be used for transportation, and comes in response to significant sweeps from the road
How will the Safe Roads Constitutional Amendment affect conservation? Read More »
As an organization that has been working to solve the pollution crisis caused by concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) in Illinois for years, we applaud the Chicago Tribune’s recent in-depth investigative report on large hog confinements. Few could read this piece without gasping at the stories of environmental pollution, animal abuse, and destruction of rural
The High Cost of Cheap Meat Read More »
The Illinois House and Senate passed and the Governor signed a six month stop gap budget which ends December 31, 2016. While this is progress, passing a budget in the second half of FY17 will be difficult as the legislature will likely have to consider additional revenue. This budget covers many line items related to
Stop Gap Budget and the Environment Read More »
Legislation advanced to immediately sweep funding important to the environmental community SB274 Amendment #1 takes funding from numerous dedicated funds, including but not limited to: $37 million for OSLAD (Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development) Nearly $5 million from NAAF (Natural Areas Acquisition Fund) Over $1 million from the Partners for Conservation Fund $25.7 million
Oppose Sweeps to Energy and Conservation Read More »
We are just a couple of weeks into the year and 2012 is shaping up to be an interesting year for state parks. Unfortunately, this is not simply a year to celebrate the natural wonders of our state parks. This is the year that we are going to have to work together to protect and
2012: Year of the Illinois State Parks Read More »
Governor Blagojevich presented his FY2006 budget proposal on Wednesday. His proposal recognizes the difficulties at the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR), and while not reversing all of the cuts, begins to take a step back. The Governor is supporting Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn’s proposal to eliminate a tax credit for landfill operators and use
Governor’s Budget Proposal Read More »
Find the full PDF online here or scroll down to read. Two Anti-EPA bills lose in committee HB 338 to create Land Use Study Commission was revived Economic Impact bill on third reading Eminent Domain bill re-passes committee while Fish and Game Commission put in subcommittee Explanation of HB 898: The Agricultural Areas Conservation and
IEC Newsletter Vol. 1 No. 20 Read More »
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