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 »
legislative session
Legislative Champions, Consumer and Environmental Advocates Urge Passage of Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability (CRGA) Act
(SPRINGFIELD, IL)—Today, legislative champions joined consumer and environmental advocates to urge the Illinois General Assembly to pass the Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act (SB2473/HB3779) amidst surging energy demand sparked by data centers and unprecedented threats to consumers, our grid, and our climate. “Three years ago, Illinois passed the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act, which
Hundreds Rally for Legislation That Trump-Proofs Illinois’ Climate Progress
Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition Lobby Day Kicks Off a Critical Year for Climate Action (SPRINGFIELD, IL)—Hundreds of community leaders, environmental advocates, faith leaders, business representatives, consumer groups, students, and state legislators rallied in the Illinois State Capitol Building today in support of the Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition (ICJC) Platform. This suite of legislation will ensure
Hundreds Rally for Legislation That Trump-Proofs Illinois’ Climate Progress Read More »
Illinois Voters Armed with Legislator’s Environmental Voting Scores Ahead of Elections
Illinois Environmental Council Releases Annual Scorecard (SPRINGFIELD, IL)—The Illinois Environmental Council (IEC) released its 2024 Legislative Environmental Scorecard today. The scorecard, which is released annually, assigns legislators a percentage score based on how they voted on bills affecting the environment. This year, 64 state representatives and 27 state senators received 100% scores based on their
Illinois Voters Armed with Legislator’s Environmental Voting Scores Ahead of Elections 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 »
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 »
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
State Legislators Earn Coveted Top Marks for Their Environmental Voting Record Read More »
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
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
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 »
Environmental Advocates Applaud Illinois General Assembly’s Efforts to Reduce Plastic Pollution
As global plastic treaty negotiations conclude, stakeholders from the Alliance for the Great Lakes, Ocean Conservancy, and Illinois Environmental Council celebrate local action on plastic pollution in Illinois, look to continue momentum.
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
Advocates Praise Senate Bill 1701 Passage as Critical Step Forward for Illinois Soil and Water Health
SPRINGFIELD, IL – The passage of Senate Bill 1701 advances agriculture conservation in Illinois by supporting farming practices that will yield healthier, stronger soils and cleaner water across the state, advocates said today. Legislators approved Senate Bill 1701 as part of the final days of the spring legislative session in Springfield. It now goes to
Illinois General Assembly Passes Bill to Reduce Plastic Waste and Expand Access to Clean Drinking Water
SPRINGFIELD, IL – The Illinois General Assembly passed legislation this week to reduce plastic pollution and promote access to clean drinking water. Once signed by Governor Pritzker, SB1715 will require that, in settings where the plumbing code already calls for drinking fountains, the installation of new drinking fountains must include a water bottle filling station.
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 »
48 State Legislators Score 100% on Illinois Environmental Council Scorecard
(SPRINGFIELD, IL) – The Illinois Environmental Council (IEC) released its 2021 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, 38 state representatives and 10 state senators received 100% scores based on their record on 16
48 State Legislators Score 100% on Illinois Environmental Council Scorecard Read More »
2021 End of Session Environmental Legislative Update
See the top environmental bills being considered by the Illinois General Assembly this year.
2021 End of Session Environmental Legislative Update Read More »
Illinois Senate to Vote on Bill That Would Eliminate Toxic Lead Service Lines in Illinois
Bill would protect public health, safe drinking water for millions of Illinoisans SPRINGFIELD, IL (May 13, 2021) – Following bipartisan passage by the Illinois House of Representatives of the Lead Service Line Replacement and Notification Act (HB 3739), which would require all water utilities statewide to replace all lead service lines, Senate action is needed
1,000 Illinoisans Urge Lawmakers to Back Environmental Justice Bills at Virtual Lobby Day
Hundreds Rally for Passage of the Clean Energy Jobs Act, Toxic Lead Service Line Removal and New Air Permitting Reforms SPRINGFIELD, IL — Today, 1,000 environmental justice leaders, renewable energy advocates, youth activists, faith leaders, business representatives and consumer groups from every part of Illinois met virtually with over 80 members of the Illinois General