Environmental Justice Archives - Illinois Environmental Council

City of Chicago and Environmental Justice Advocates Rally Support for Hazel Johnson Cumulative Impacts Ordinance

April 16, 2025

CHICAGO – The City of Chicago and environmental justice advocates today announced and rallied support for the Hazel Johnson Cumulative Impacts Ordinance (O2025-0016697), which was then introduced in Chicago City Council. The ordinance ensures zoning requirements consider cumulative health impacts so that new pollution sources don’t further exacerbate toxic industrial pollution. “The Hazel Johnson Cumulative […]

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LCV and IEC Celebrate the Designation of the 1908 Springfield Race Riot National Monument

August 16, 2024

Springfield, IL. — In response to the Biden-Harris administration’s designation of the 1908 Springfield Race Riot National Monument, the League of Conservation Voters (LCV) and Illinois Environmental Council (IEC) released the following statements: “Thanks to the tireless advocacy of the Springfield branch of the NAACP and local advocates and activists, the Biden-Harris administration has established

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Facing Our Past to Change Our Future

June 14, 2024

President Biden should designate the site of the 1908 Springfield Race Massacre in Illinois’ capital with a National Monument.

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2024 Legislative Report

June 12, 2024

IEC’s state legislative team has published our 2024 Legislative Report detailing environmental wins and setbacks during this year’s legislative session.

2024 Legislative Report Read More »

IEC Five-Year Strategic Plan

December 20, 2023

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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Chicago City Council Takes Historic Vote to Re-establish the City’s Department of Environment After its Dissolution Over a Decade Ago

November 15, 2023

CHICAGO, IL – After over a decade without one, Chicago’s City Council today made the historic move to re-establish the city’s Department of Environment (DOE). With the passage of the 2024 Chicago Budget, the City Council voted to allocate $1.8 mil to re-establish the Department. The Illinois Environmental Council’s (IEC) City Programs Director Iyana Simba

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A Closer Look: Mayor Johnson’s FY2024 Chicago City Budget

October 25, 2023

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.

A Closer Look: Mayor Johnson’s FY2024 Chicago City Budget Read More »

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.

2023 Legislative Report Read More »

Illinois General Assembly Fails to Act on Accumulated Air Pollution in EJ Communities this Session, Advances New Pollution in Vulnerable Areas

May 26, 2023

SPRINGFIELD, IL — After missing multiple opportunities this Spring to protect environmental justice communities across Illinois, the Illinois General Assembly yesterday passed HB2878 and HJR23. These bills give broad permission for public-private partnership (P3) funding of large transportation projects like widening I-55. This legislation will bring new vehicle traffic and even more diesel emissions into

Illinois General Assembly Fails to Act on Accumulated Air Pollution in EJ Communities this Session, Advances New Pollution in Vulnerable Areas Read More »

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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Illinois’ 2023 Enviro Legislative Priorities

February 23, 2023

See the top environmental bills being considered by the Illinois General Assembly this year.

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2023 Chicago Environmental Mayor Report

January 31, 2023

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.

2023 Chicago Environmental Mayor Report Read More »

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 »

Water Commissioner Du Buclet says water is the ‘new gold’

October 5, 2022

Inspired by her parents’ work ethic and commitment to community and family, Cook County Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago Commissioner (MWRD) Kim Du Buclet is on a mission to protect the county’s fresh water systems, save monarch butterflies and fight the effects of climate change. Though she has no direct role in the delivery

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A Closer Look at Chicago’s Climate Action Plan

June 20, 2022

On the heels of the release of Chicago’s Climate Action Plan, IEC will break down what’s in the plan, what’s not and what more needs to be done.

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2022 Legislative Report

May 25, 2022

The Illinois Environmental Council releases a report on the 2022 legislative session, highlighting some wins as well as the fights we’ll continue to work on in the next one. Click here if the report fails to load.

2022 Legislative Report Read More »

Why Chicago Needs A Department of Environment

May 4, 2022

A decade ago, the Emanuel administration dissolved Chicago’s Department of Environment. It’s time to bring it back.

Why Chicago Needs A Department of Environment Read More »

500+ Illinoisans Mobilize in Support of Environmental Justice Legislation

February 18, 2022

Hundreds Rally for Passage of Industrial Permitting Reform, Protections for Power Plant Communities, Voting Rights and more SPRINGFIELD, IL – More than 500 Illinoisans mobilized today for an environmental justice-focused lobby day and rally. Participants urged their legislators to pass bills that address environmental injustices impacting historically marginalized communities across Illinois. The environmental justice movement

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A Look at Chicago’s Environmental Justice Battles, Impacts and Solutions

January 5, 2022

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.

A Look at Chicago’s Environmental Justice Battles, Impacts and Solutions Read More »

Environmental Justice