We are back with one of our most popular annual resources: our Chicago City Budget Analysis! This one was a bit of a nail-biter 😬 Unclear for months how the Mayor and City Council's many proposals would play out, most of the Mayor’s priorities stayed intact, including our environmental priorities.

⚠️ ICYMI: The Trump administration is illegally accelerating commercial logging in Illinois’ only national forest. This rushed approach threatens wildlife, undermines climate protections, and sets a dangerous precedent for public lands nationwide 🪵

Illinois marked a major step forward for clean, affordable, and reliable energy with Governor JB Pritzker’s signing of the CRGA Act a landmark achievement made possible by the leadership of legislators and the broad coalition of labor, environmental advocates, and community voices behind it 💚

These new environmental laws went into effect on January 1st: 🧴 Phasing out mini single-use plastic toiletry bottles in hotels 🚰 Banning carbon sequestration projects in and around federally designated sole-source aquifers 🌸 Formally authorizing rewilding as a state strategy

Just discovered that if you write “-ai” at the end of a google search, it turns off the automatic Google AI nonsense in the search results. Save water! Save energy! Search away! 💖

CRGA is law! 🎉 Governor Pritzker *just* signed the Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability (CRGA) Act into law, making Illinois the state with the STRONGEST response yet to the rollback of federal climate protections. 🧵 (1/4) ⚡️ Take action below!

CRGA is law! 🎉 Governor Pritzker *just* signed the Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability (CRGA) Act into law, making Illinois the state with the STRONGEST response yet to the rollback of federal climate protections. 🧵 (1/4) ⚡️ Take action below!

I mean, Illinois has just been *killing* it, almost completely outside of the NY/CA media spotlight.

🚨New @lcv.org report shows that Illinois was a national leader in clean energy this year – and that our state’s investments in wind and solar are helping consumers with skyrocketing utility bills! I’ve been proud to partner with @ilenviro.bsky.social to push for this progress.

IEC, Chicago Environmental Justice Network & more are rallying to celebrate the introduction of the Hazel M. Johnson Cumulative Impacts Ordinance in Chicago. The policy addresses the environmental & health burdens placed on frontline communities. Watch live➡️ facebook.com/ilenviro/live_videos

Join us & the IL Clean Jobs Coalition on May 21st in Springfield for #ClimateActionLobbyDay. Help us fight for our future. 📢 We'll be rallying support for clean air, energy affordability, and a transformed transit system in Illinois. #ElectrifyIL ❤️‍🔥 See you there! RSVP: bit.ly/ClimateActio...

Today's first endorsement announcement is from @ilenviro.bsky.social! The IL Environmental Council works to build power for people and the environtment, advancing equitable public policies to ensure a healthy environment across Illinois. We're so happy to have them as part of our endorsement team!

Incredible work, @jenwalling.bsky.social!

Next we prepped for SB1531, the foam foodware ban with Senator Laura Fine @qglpolicywonk.bsky.social @alliancegreatlakes.bsky.social @ilenviro.bsky.social

It’s been a very big morning so far in Springfield. At 8AM @gonggershowitz.bsky.social moved HB1600 requiring third party delivery apps to only provide utensils if you ask. @ilenviro.bsky.social @qglpolicywonk.bsky.social @alliancegreatlakes.bsky.social

IEC to discuss federal cuts to agriculture programs at a roundtable with Gov. Pritzker, Rep. Nikki Budzinski, environmental leaders, & farmers who saw climate-smart agriculture funding cut off. Tune in today at 1:30 PM CST. ➡️ www.illinois.gov/about/live-v...

Today, take action in solidarity with IL farmers & soil health advocates who are at Soil Health Advocacy Day! Tell your legislators to support a handful of bills that will help make our food system more resilient, sustainable, and equitable. ➡️ act.ilenviro.org/a/soil-healt...

HAPPENING NOW: IL Clean Jobs Coalition & Rep. Ann Williams are introducing the Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act! This legislation addresses urgent challenges facing our electric grid while prioritizing affordability for consumers & businesses. Tune in: www.facebook.com/ILCleanJobs/...

🌿IL Democrats in Congress continue to champion our environment, as shown in the 2024 LCV Scorecard! Despite challenges, they fought for clean energy & environmental protection. 📑 Read @lcv.org's full report at scorecard.lcv.org to see how your U.S. representatives scored!

Learn how the Clean Air Act gives states authority to regulate vehicle emissions when federal standards don't go far enough, current state programs, and the role of federal oversight in enforcing these standards. 🎟️ act.ilenviro.org/a/clean-tran...

You have the power! Tell your legislators to co-sponsor and vote "YES" on the Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act. They need to know that Illinoisans believe in a strengthened power grid, consumer protections, and climate action. Take Action: act.ilenviro.org/a/crga2025

IEC will be watching for a budget that invests in key environmental priorities. We must protect our communities from pollution, and move our state in the right direction to meet our conservation and climate goals. ➡️ Watch here at 12 PM CT: www.illinois.gov/about/live-v...

Why does our team love public transit? Because you never know who you'll run into! @jenwalling.bsky.social and Dany Robles ran into Rep. Kam Buckner—a big fan of public transit just like us—on their commute to Springfield on the Amtrak. We're all smiles for public transit! #TransitIsEssential

Join us in Springfield to advocate for one of Illinois' most precious resources—its soil! Join the Illinois Stewardship Alliance, farmers & partner organizations to educate legislators & rally for soil & water health. Sign up here: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

We’re celebrating #TransitEquityDay! This day honors civil rights leader Rosa Parks and underscores that transit is a human and civil right. ⭐️In honor of Transit Equity Day, tell your legislator to support the Clean & Equitable Transportation Act: act.ilenviro.org/a/illinois-c...

Does the legislative process stress you out? Here are 6 tips to help you launch your advocacy journey! We can't wait for you to start advocating with us. 🚀 ➡️ ilenviro.org/civics-for-i...

Last week, ELPC joined a couple of hundred friends for #ClimateAtTheCapitol Lobby Day in Springfield, IL. We met with lawmakers to discuss #CleanEnergy / #CleanTransportation solutions & rallied for #ClimateActionNow. @sierraclubchicago.bsky.social @ilenviro.bsky.social @rideillinois.bsky.social

👀 capitolfax.com/2025/01/15/n...

Legislator tours are a critical piece of our work to build power for the environment. They're great opportunities to demonstrate the real-world impacts of their votes in the Illinois General Assembly. Discover the people, places, & projects we saw in 2024. ilenviro.org/empowering-e...

It's training season. 💪 Prepare to make an impact this legislative session at Civics for Environmentalists. Gain the best insider know-how & skills to advocate for the environmental causes you care about. Our movement needs you. Are you in? RSVP here: act.ilenviro.org/a/civics2025

With hundreds of Illinoisans rallying to #ActOnClimate, we demonstrated a desire for broad climate legislation in the spring. We're ready to #ElectrifyIL. "We’re setting up for a really big year for climate legislation," says @jenwalling.bsky.social capitolnewsillinois.com/news/lawmake...

We loved the energy at Climate Day at the Capitol! This was the best kick off to what we’re declaring a year of climate action in IL. We advocated for the ICJC Platform—policies that will accelerate our climate progress. Together, we'll #ElectrifyIL to #ActOnClimate!

#ElectrifyIllinois to #ActOnClimate We’re getting ready to start the Climate Day at the Capitol Rally. You’ll hear from community members who are fighting for the ICJC Platform to secure an equitable, affordable, & healthy future for all Illinoisans.