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Opinion: An urgent, united call to save — and strengthen — public transit

Public transit is the backbone of our economy, connecting millions of commuters, tourists and visitors to work, our world-class museums and arts institutions, school, health care and more every single day. Yet, across the country, cities are facing multimillion-dollar transit budget shortfalls — or a “transit fiscal cliff.” Chicago is no different. We’re at a […]

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In Illinois, an invisible boundary determines how dirty and costly your electricity is

The town of Ottawa lies in central Illinois 12 miles from a nuclear power plant and a wind turbine farm that stretches past the horizon. However, these facilities sit on the other side of an invisible boundary between two regional power grids.  By mutual agreement among utilities that own the grids and power plants, that

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Clock counting down to secure state funding before drastic service cuts to CTA, Metra, Pace

A warning has been issued to anyone who takes public transportation in Chicago — with drastic service cuts looming, Illinois legislators only have until the end of the month to decide what to do and how to address it. Transit advocates are taking to the streets every week to warn riders. They say the cuts are as

Clock counting down to secure state funding before drastic service cuts to CTA, Metra, Pace Read More »

On Earth Day, EPA union workers decry cuts to clean air and water regulations

Fifty-five years after the first Earth Day, Environmental Protection Agency employees and advocates call for help as the Trump administration rolls back environmental regulations and lays off hundreds of workers. Earth Day was marked not with celebration but with a sense of urgency and despair for Environmental Protection Agency union members in Chicago as the

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After groundbreaking bills on jobs and solar, Illinois tackles the grid

State lawmakers are pushing for more grid-enhancing tech, gigawatts of new energy storage, and the creation of a virtual power plant program.Since 2017, sweeping legislation in Illinois has sparked a solar power boom and launched ambitious energy equity and green jobs programs. Now, for the third time in under a decade, state lawmakers, advocates, and industry groups have their sights set

After groundbreaking bills on jobs and solar, Illinois tackles the grid Read More »

City Club of Chicago: Navigating Change: The Local Impact of President Trump’s Early Days in Office

Join us for a panel discussion that will explore the impact of President Trump’s executive orders on key areas including LGBTQ+ rights, immigration, and environmental issues. Experts will analyze how these actions are affecting local residents, communities, and businesses, offering insights into the evolving legal, economic, and social implications. This panel will address the immediate

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What’s next for electric vehicles as Pritzker, Trump move in opposite directions on EV policy?

Illinois is offering buyers an incentive of $4,000 per vehicle. But at the federal level, the Trump administration is not a fan of EVs. GUESTS: Karen Weigert, Reset sustainability contributor, director of Loyola University Chicago’s Baumhart Center for Social Enterprise and Responsibility, and Dany Robles, legislative relations director, Illinois Environmental Council “We need a lot more

What’s next for electric vehicles as Pritzker, Trump move in opposite directions on EV policy? Read More »

Local environmental advocates remain hopeful despite Trump’s recent executive orders

Jen Walling, executive director of the Illinois Environmental Council, is one of those who has had an eye on the White House. “When we look at this administration’s view on climate change, we absolutely should be concerned,” Walling told WBBM. “There’s been a series of executive orders that have unwound the Inflation Reduction Act, investments

Local environmental advocates remain hopeful despite Trump’s recent executive orders Read More »

Chicago and Illinois Remain Committed to Achieving Climate Goals Despite Threats to Federal Funding

Environmental leaders believe grants and other sources of funding will allow them to continue cutting pollution, even if federal money isn’t available following the change in administration. Experts from the Illinois Environmental Council (IEC), a Springfield-based public policy organization, believe the state will still commit to climate initiatives such as renewable energy, although Chicago will

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Lawmakers give small boost to renewable developments, delay broader reform

Energy policy likely to be revisited in spring legislative session. Lawmakers this week passed a bill aimed at boosting the development of renewable energy generation, but its proponents said the final measure was a “skinny” version of what they had hoped to pass. “We’ve seen the effects of climate change. We’ve seen the effects on

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Pritzker EPA vows to step in as Trump calls for massive cuts to environmental protection

As the new top environment cop in Illinois, James Jennings knew coming in his job would be challenging no matter who won the presidential election. The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency is rebuilding under Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker after more than a decade spent shedding inspectors, slowing the policing of air and water pollution and feuding with the

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Illinois confident it can continue clean energy progress under Trump, but path expected to be harder

The deep blue state is preparing to protect climate and clean energy programs during a Trump administration, but uncertainty about federal incentives and environmental enforcement leaves questions. The last time President Donald Trump took office, Illinois had just passed the Future Energy Jobs Act (FEJA), creating an ambitious renewable electricity mandate, solar incentive programs, green

Illinois confident it can continue clean energy progress under Trump, but path expected to be harder Read More »

Illinois environment and labor officials seek closer ties on climate action

Jennifer Walling runs an organization that speaks for over 100 environmental groups in Springfield. Marc Poulos is a political quarterback for organized labor. “I feel like we both understand that we’re going to get more done if we’re aligned,” said Walling, executive director of the Illinois Environmental Council. “We may as well be on the

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Future of green incentives under Trump

Electric vehicle buying is expected to rise this winter as consumers look to take advantage of the $7,500 tax credit that President-elect Trump has threatened to repeal. Why it matters: EV tax credits represent just one of the green incentives introduced under President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act that could be removed under Trump. The big picture: “Illinois has received

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