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plastic pollution

Illinois legislators skip on several environmental bills

Some big environmental bills — dealing with transit, clean energy, plastics and more — fizzled last week in Springfield. Advocates say they’re ready to pick up the pieces. Why it matters: State environmental protections have grown in importance for climate advocates as the Trump administration rolls back regulations at the federal level. Biggest losses Public transit: The General Assembly’s failure […]

Illinois legislators skip on several environmental bills Read More »

How can Chicago help curb Lake Michigan microplastic pollution?

Every year, 11.6 million pounds of plastic trash makes its way into Lake Michigan, Chicago’s largest source of drinking water. Even as the city tries to tackle this issue, it means that microplastics — the tiniest pieces — pass through the cities’ filtration systems and into our faucets. Researchers have found that ingesting plastics can have detrimental

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Plastic is in your brain. Researchers and advocates still aren’t sure how that impacts health

Whether you’re a hot cup of tea and meditate kind of person or a toss the leftover pizza in the microwave kind of person, you probably ate plastic this morning. Tiny plastic particles called microplastics easily find their way into the things we eat and drink — and there’s little you can do to avoid

Plastic is in your brain. Researchers and advocates still aren’t sure how that impacts health Read More »

New Recycling and Composting Law Coming to Illinois with Gov. Pritzker’s Signature

Springfield, IL. – Governor JB Pritzker signed legislation to reduce plastic pollution in Illinois today. The Large Event Facilities Act (SB2876) requires large event facilities with legal occupancies of at least 3,500 people to provide attendees with recycling and composting bins, reducing single-use plastic and food scrap waste. “IEC is grateful to Gov. Pritzker, Sen.

New Recycling and Composting Law Coming to Illinois with Gov. Pritzker’s Signature Read More »

Illinois First Great Lakes State to Reduce Single-use Plastic Bottles in Hotels

Chicago, IL – On Friday, Governor Pritzker signed the Small Single-Use Plastic Bottle Act (SB2960) into law, which requires hotels with 50 or more rooms to eliminate the use of small, single-use plastic bottles containing personal care products in individual rooms and public bathrooms beginning July 1, 2025. By Jan. 1, 2026, all hotels are

Illinois First Great Lakes State to Reduce Single-use Plastic Bottles in Hotels Read More »

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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Plastic Pollution in Chicago

Over the past few years, Illinois has seen plastic waste reduction legislative victories in Springfield. Advocates in its largest city, Chicago, seek to implement similar legislation to protect Lake Michigan and other water resources from dangerous microplastic pollution.

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Greenwashing: Avoid falling victim to misleading marketing claims of eco-friendliness

IL Environmental Council has tips on how to spot greenwashing More and more people want to be good stewards of the earth by being green and more sustainable. But despite their best efforts to research and stay informed, it’s easy to fall victim to something called greenwashing. “It’s essentially a marketing ploy by corporations and

Greenwashing: Avoid falling victim to misleading marketing claims of eco-friendliness Read More »

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 environmental bills seek to improve soil health, ban state use of polystyrene foam containers Read More »

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.

Illinois General Assembly Passes Bill to Reduce Plastic Waste and Expand Access to Clean Drinking Water Read More »

400+ Illinoisans Advocate for Slate of Legislation Promoting Environmental Protection and Climate Justice

Springfield, IL. — More than 400 Illinoisans mobilized today to urge their representatives in the Illinois General Assembly to pass bills that protect the environment and address climate injustices impacting historically marginalized communities across Illinois. At a rally outside of the Capitol Building and during meetings with legislators, advocates and activists called for the legislature

400+ Illinoisans Advocate for Slate of Legislation Promoting Environmental Protection and Climate Justice Read More »

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