Legislation

Bills Phasing Out Single-Use Plastic Clear Key Legislative Hurdle

SPRINGFIELD, IL – Cornerstone legislation phasing out the use of certain types of single-use plastics advanced out of the Illinois State Senate Environment and Conservation Committee today, an unprecedented milestone for legislation of this kind in Illinois. SB1531, a bill phasing out single-use foam foodware sponsored by Sen. Laura Fine, and SB1872, a bill phasing

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2024 Environmental Scorecard

Here you will find IEC’s 2024 Environmental Scorecard for the Illinois General Assembly. Scores are based on the environmental impact of each legislator’s voting record over the last legislative session. Not only is IEC’s scorecard one of the most effective measurements of our movement’s growing environmental power, but it’s also a powerful accountability tool as

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2024 Environmental Legislative Update

Early Wednesday morning, days after its scheduled adjournment date of May 24, the Illinois General Assembly passed the state budget and concluded the Spring legislative session. Going into an election year with an expected budget deficit, we anticipated that it would be more challenging than usual to pass critical pieces of legislation this session. Despite

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2024 Environmental Legislative Update

Today is the scheduled adjournment day of the regular legislative session. However, as of this morning, it became clear that leading members of the House and Senate are planning for state budget-centered discussions to carry on this evening and into the weekend. We are also seeing an increase in internal caucus meetings, which are causing

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2024 Environmental Legislative Update

Both the House and the Senate were in and conducting business this week as we move closer to the final weeks of this year’s regular legislative session. Many bills were granted extended deadlines for advancing through the legislative process, and some important pieces of the Illinois Environmental Legislative Agenda continue to move through the legislative

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Hundreds Gather in Springfield to Advocate for Equitable Climate, Transportation, and Energy Legislation

Springfield, IL. – Hundreds of community leaders, environmental advocates, faith leaders, business representatives, consumer groups, students and state legislators rallied outside of the Illinois State Capitol Building today in support of the Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition (ICJC) Platform, a slate of legislation that would double down on Illinois’ bold climate policy and secure a more

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2024 Environmental Legislative Update

Legislators were back in session again this week to conduct business, and pieces of the Illinois Environmental Legislative Agenda continue to move through the legislative process. Additionally, we enjoyed being joined this week by University of Illinois students advocating for environmental bills, including one of their own! Protecting Illinois’ Wetlands Protecting wetlands remains a top

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Sen. Ellman, Rep. Moeller, Community Advocates Announce Legislation to Protect Illinois Wetlands After U.S. Supreme Court Overreach

(Springfield, IL) – Today, Illinois Senator Laura Ellman (District 21) and State Representative Anna Moeller (District 43) joined forces with community advocates to announce the “Wetlands and Small Stream Protection Act” – new legislation protecting Illinois waters in the wake of a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision that rolled back crucial federal safeguards in the Clean

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State Legislators Earn Coveted Top Marks for Their Environmental Voting Record

Illinois Environmental Council Releases Annual Scorecard (SPRINGFIELD, IL) – The Illinois Environmental Council (IEC) released its 2023 Legislative Environmental Scorecard today. The scorecard, which is released annually, assigns a percentage score to legislators based on how they voted on bills affecting the environment. This year, 17 state representatives and 10 state senators received 100% scores

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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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Governor Pritzker Vetoes Legislation That Would Have Allowed Ameren to Monopolize Transmission Projects

Illinois — Today, Governor JB Pritzker issued an amendatory veto on HB3445—legislation that would have given Ameren, the private utility company that serves much of Central and Southern Illinois, a “Right of First Refusal” to build regional transmission lines in Southern Illinois. Under this bill, Ameren would have been given first dibs on building new

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Moratorium on New Nuclear Remains in Place in Illinois Thanks to Governor Pritzker’s Veto

Illinois — Today, Governor JB Pritzker vetoed SB76—a bill that would have lifted Illinois’ decades-old moratorium on new nuclear power plants. Responding to growing concerns about safety, waste and cost associated with nuclear power generation, the Illinois General Assembly passed a moratorium on developing new nuclear facilities within the state in 1987. Those concerns remain

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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

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