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Trump Rollbacks

Advocates hold signs that read, "Protect Illinois Waters" and "Protect Illinois Wetlands."

In Wake of New Federal Rollbacks of Clean Water Protections, IEC Calls on Governor Pritzker to Respond

Illinois — On Monday, the Trump Administration’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Army Corps of Engineers announced the Polluted Water Rule, which further restricts which bodies of water are protected from pollution and destruction under the Clean Water Act. In response, Illinois Environmental Council Chief Program Officer Lindsay Keeney released the following statement: “Pollution flows […]

In Wake of New Federal Rollbacks of Clean Water Protections, IEC Calls on Governor Pritzker to Respond Read More »

Illinois lawmakers just passed another big clean-energy bill

Batteries are the centerpiece of the state’s third major piece of energy legislation in a decade. The governor has pledged to sign the bill. Illinois legislators passed a major energy bill that creates grid-battery and geothermal incentives and a virtual-power-plant program, during the final hours of a fall veto session Thursday. Advocates and industry sources describe the legislation as the crucial

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1,000-page multi-step energy reform bill passes in Illinois

Illinois (KHQA) — Environmental and clean energy advocates are praising the passing of a 1,000-page energy omnibus bill in the Illinois congress on Oct. 30. The bill has taken several names as its transformed over the years, from the Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act to the Municipal and Cooperative Electric Utility Transparent Planning Act. Now, according to supporters, this

1,000-page multi-step energy reform bill passes in Illinois Read More »

Gov. JB Pritzker set to approve energy bill boosting battery storage for renewables despite debate over costs

SPRINGFIELD — Sweeping energy-related legislation that backs the use of big batteries to help make wind and solar power more effective but has raised questions about whether it will increase or decrease energy bills cleared the Illinois Senate Thursday night and will be headed to Gov. JB Pritzker, who signaled he would sign the measure into law.

Gov. JB Pritzker set to approve energy bill boosting battery storage for renewables despite debate over costs Read More »

House passes energy bill amid debate over costs to consumers

Proponents say energy storage, efficiency programs will save money, critics wary of claims SPRINGFIELD — Illinoisans could see a new line item on their electric bills under a bill passed Wednesday night by the Illinois House. Under the proposal, contained in an amendment to Senate Bill 25, ratepayers will subsidize energy storage projects like large battery

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Renewable Energy Act Before Illinois Legislature Would Decrease Stress on Ratepayers, Advocates Say

Groups are pushing the state General Assembly to pass the Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act, as increased strain on the grid has led to energy price spikes. Illinois advocacy groups are pressing state legislators to pass a package of comprehensive energy reforms that would help the state reach its clean energy goals and could

Renewable Energy Act Before Illinois Legislature Would Decrease Stress on Ratepayers, Advocates Say Read More »

Illinois Residents Urge Lawmakers to Act on Transit, Energy Bills

As part of a “People Over Polluters” event, more than 100 local environmental advocates traveled to the state capital to lobby during the state’s short fall veto session. SPRINGFIELD, Ill.—To meet with state lawmakers here, Michael Churchill, 24, left his home south of Chicago at 3 a.m. Wednesday, took a rideshare to a commuter rail

Illinois Residents Urge Lawmakers to Act on Transit, Energy Bills Read More »

President Donald Trump cancels $583M in energy projects for Illinois, one of many blue states affected

Amid a funding stalemate in Congress and a federal government shutdown, President Donald Trump’s planned termination of nearly $8 billion for energy projects primarily in states that didn’t vote for him includes $583 million in cuts for projects in Illinois. Among those set to lose tens of millions of dollars in anticipated funding are power giant Exelon,

President Donald Trump cancels $583M in energy projects for Illinois, one of many blue states affected Read More »

The grades are out on legislators and the environment

More than a third of state lawmakers scored 100 percent on IL Environmental Council scorecard. The Illinois Environmental Council is out with its 2025 legislative scorecard. “This year we saw 39 state representatives and 25 state senators receive 100 percent scores based on sixteen bills,” said the council’s executive director, Jen Walling, “and over fifty percent of sitting state

The grades are out on legislators and the environment Read More »

Renewable and clean energy sector faces uncertainty amid federal tax incentive cuts

The Illinois Environmental Council [IEC] is a nonprofit organization working to make sure environmental and climate communities are heard in public policy and legislative affairs. IEC published its own analysis of the bill, claiming it would set back environmental progress, jobs and initiatives across Illinois. The organization is worried how the law will affect the wallets

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Illinois’ Governor Has Led on Climate Policy. Here’s How Experts Assess His Work So Far

Jennifer Walling, executive director of the Illinois Environmental Council, which represents 100 environmental groups, considers Pritzker surprisingly forward-thinking on climate. “I’ve been doing this for 15 years and I’ve been through, even before this, almost four different governors’ administrations. Governor Pritzker has been the absolute best on environment and climate,” she said.   “He blends an

Illinois’ Governor Has Led on Climate Policy. Here’s How Experts Assess His Work So Far Read More »

Illinois bet on solar to meet its climate goals. Trump has the industry in his crosshairs.

Illinois Environmental Council senior policy manager Cate Caldwell said the state has “long led” on environmental issues and that lawmakers should act in their shortened October legislative session. “While this federal budget threatens to reverse that progress, Illinois can instead double down on its climate commitments and invest in real, bold climate solutions that modernize

Illinois bet on solar to meet its climate goals. Trump has the industry in his crosshairs. Read More »

Illinois clean energy hit hard by Trump’s ‘big, beautiful’ tax bill: ‘An incredibly damaging blow’

Among those who want to respond to the Trump bill with strong state action is Jen Walling, executive director of the Illinois Environmental Council, which advocates for more than 100 organizations. Illinois environmentalists have been pushing for the Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act, which would expand energy efficiency in Illinois and encourage renewable energy

Illinois clean energy hit hard by Trump’s ‘big, beautiful’ tax bill: ‘An incredibly damaging blow’ Read More »

How Trump’s megabill affects Illinois’ environment

What they’re saying: “Lowering families’ energy costs and making our air cleaner should be something we all agree on, and yet Trump and his cronies would rather gut clean energy and pollution reduction programs to fund tax breaks for billionaires,” Jen Walling, executive director of the Illinois Environmental Council, said in a statement. Read the full

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Energy policy changes in “big, beautiful bill” will affect consumers, climate, experts say

“Really, really dramatic impacts with these cuts,” said Chelsea Biggs of the Illinois Environmental Council. In Illinois, the League of Conservation Voters is estimating that homeowners will pay $168 more in energy bills a year — with a 21% increase in commercial and industrial energy bills. But Biggs said this won’t just cost consumers. “These

Energy policy changes in “big, beautiful bill” will affect consumers, climate, experts say Read More »

Illinois environmental advocates aim to strengthen ties with lawmakers, increase outreach amid federal policy changes

CHAMPAIGN — Illinois environmental advocates are working to strengthen their connections with lawmakers and communities across the state while the legislature is in recess. On Saturday, June 28, progressive organizations gathered in Champaign for a convention hosted by Indivisible Illinois. The event allowed the groups to share their priorities for the rest of the year.  Among the

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As Chicagoans Brace for Higher Water Bills, Groups Push for Affordability Reforms

Water rates have more than doubled since 2010. Low-income residents feel the pinch most of all. On Sunday Chicagoans will face another spike in their water bills after seeing rates more than double over the past 15 years. The latest increase—4 percent—comes as environmental justice groups are fighting for more water-affordability protections. “Water is just

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Smoke from Canadian wildfires moving into Chicago area, raising concerns about air quality

Smoke from out-of-control wildfires in Canada is drifting into the Chicago area on Friday, and while conditions won’t be as severe as when smoke from Canadian wildfires repeatedly blanketed Chicago two years ago, the haze is nonetheless raising public health concerns. Environmental experts said Chicagoans should pay attention to any alerts and be conscious of air quality. Canadian officials

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