The Illinois Environmental Council’s mission is to advance equitable public policies that ensure a healthy environment across Illinois through collaboration, building power, and advocacy. We are Illinois’ trusted voice for creating sound environmental policy, and we have been at the heart of every legislative environmental win in the state over the past two decades. Founded in 1975 by a group of dedicated grassroots environmentalists, IEC now convenes a growing statewide coalition of 130-plus environmental organizations and represents more than 600 individual members. Ultimately, we envision an Illinois where informed decision-makers and empowered communities successfully champion the environment.

Last year, the Illinois General Assembly passed two major climate bills in the final hours of veto session: the Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act, which safeguards Illinois’ climate commitments and protects consumers from volatile prices, and the Northern Illinois Transit Authority Act, which reduces carbon emissions by fixing and funding the Chicagoland public transit system. IEC—alongside our partners in the Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition—were integral to securing the bills’ passage, driving an ambitious lobbying, grassroots, and communications program that included hosting three lobby days that brought 800+ people to the State Capitol and delivering 5,000+ messages to lawmakers.