2025 Legislative Report
IEC’s state legislative team has published our 2024 Legislative Report detailing environmental wins and setbacks during this year’s legislative session.
2025 Legislative Report Read More »
Environmental Justice
As U.S. House Republicans Pass the Most Expensive Anti-Environment Bill in History, Illinoisans Call for State Action on Climate and Consumer Protections
ILLINOIS – Early Thursday morning, House Republicans passed a reconciliation bill that wipes out good-paying clean energy jobs and raises energy costs for families by gutting the historic progress made in the bipartisan Inflation Reduction Act. Hours earlier at the Illinois State Capitol on Wednesday, hundreds of community leaders, environmental advocates, faith leaders, business representatives, consumer
City of Chicago and Environmental Justice Advocates Rally Support for Hazel Johnson Cumulative Impacts Ordinance
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
LCV and IEC Celebrate the Designation of the 1908 Springfield Race Riot National Monument
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
Facing Our Past to Change Our Future
President Biden should designate the site of the 1908 Springfield Race Massacre in Illinois’ capital with a National Monument.
Facing Our Past to Change Our Future Read More »
2024 Legislative Report
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
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.
IEC Five-Year Strategic Plan Read More »
Chicago City Council Takes Historic Vote to Re-establish the City’s Department of Environment After its Dissolution Over a Decade Ago
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
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.
A Closer Look: Mayor Johnson’s FY2024 Chicago City Budget Read More »
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.
2023 Chicago Transition Report Analysis Read More »
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.
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
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 environmental bills seek to improve soil health, ban state use of polystyrene foam containers
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
Illinois’ 2023 Enviro Legislative Priorities
See the top environmental bills being considered by the Illinois General Assembly this year.
Illinois’ 2023 Enviro Legislative Priorities Read More »
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.
2023 Chicago Environmental Mayor Report Read More »
What’s in Chicago’s proposed 2023 Budget?
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’
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
Water Commissioner Du Buclet says water is the ‘new gold’ Read More »
A Closer Look at Chicago’s Climate Action Plan
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.
A Closer Look at Chicago’s Climate Action Plan Read More »
2022 Legislative Report
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
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 »