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  • Asian Carp At Great Lakes' Door

    Bad news this week from the team trying to keep destructive alien fish species out of the Great Lakes - there is new evidence that asian carp may have made it to the brink of Lake Michigan - O'Brien Lock and Dam on the Calumet River.

    Today's news:
    ' [...]
    Posted: November 20, 2009, 10:29am EST

  • Video: Weatherizing Chicago

    Recently we participated in an event in Chicago to celebrate National Weatherization Day (haven't seen the greeting card for that one yet!). The purpose was to raise awareness among homeowners that there are major new resources available for cutting your energy use and utility bills, thanks to the American Recovery' [...]
    Posted: November 13, 2009, 5:01pm EST

  • USEPA Blocks BP Refinery Expansion

    Good news today on the clean energy front:
    The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today issued an objection to the operating permit for BP North America’s refinery in Whiting, IN that will require the Indiana Department of Environmental Management to rewrite the permit. The decision is a
    victory for [...]
    Posted: October 19, 2009, 2:10pm EDT

  • Last Day to Give IDNR Your Advice

    Here's a good story on the latest in IDNR's effort to engage the Illinois outdoor community in discussion about the future of the agency.

    The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is only now beginning the long road to recovery after years of budget cuts, layoffs and park closures.
    [...]
    Posted: October 15, 2009, 11:10am EDT

  • Cook County: Wheeling and Dealing With Our Preserves


    This year the Chicago region is marking the 100th anniversary of Daniel Burnham's plan for Chicago that included a proposal for the Cook County forest preserve system, among other visionary features (like our open, green lakefront, to name another.)

    Unfortunately, some on the Cook' [...]
    Posted: October 06, 2009, 3:09pm EDT

  • Bring the Blue-Green Games to Chicago

    There's a lot riding on the International Olympic Committee vote Friday, including a very unique opportunity to make the Chicago region a cleaner, greener, healthier place for 2017 and beyond.

    Chicago 2016 has put together an impressive vision for a Blue-Green Games that deals' [...]
    Posted: September 30, 2009, 9:54pm EDT

  • Mark Kirk: Solving Global Warming a "Narrow Interest"

    Last Saturday at an event in DuPage County, Mark Kirk discounted what had looked like a courageous vote in favor of the American Clean Energy Security Act in June.

    On Saturday, here's how Kirk described his vote on preventing climate change:

    "I voted for it because of'" [...]
    Posted: September 16, 2009, 9:14pm EDT

  • Springfield an Ironic Choice for Rally Against New Energy

    Tuesday oil and coal lobbyists are bringing outsiders to Springfield for a few hours to protest the clean energy jobs legislation pending in Washington, and to attempt to argue for the status quo.

    I know the location was picked by the American Petroleum Institute inside the beltway, but [...]
    Posted: September 01, 2009, 12:04am EDT

  • Obama, Madigan Sue Midwest Generation

    Yesterday the Obama administration and Lisa Madigan stepped up to defend the air we breathe, and expedite Illinois transition to a cleaner energy future.

    These plants have avoided modern pollution controls for too long, and hopefully there will be cleaner air on the way very soon.[...]
    Posted: August 28, 2009, 8:24am EDT

  • Jacky Grimshaw on the CTA Board!

    Today Governor Quinn appointed longtime public transportation champion Jacky Grimshaw to the board of the Chicago Transit Authority. I've known Jacky for a long time and she is very dedicated to quality transit options for all people and communities. She also understands very well the key role that good' [...]
    Posted: August 20, 2009, 4:49pm EDT

  • IL Home to "Clunkers" of the Power Plant World

    There's a great piece in today's Washington Post about how "the clunkers of the power plant world" (great quote by clean air champ Brian Urbaszewski of the Respiratory Health Association of Metropolitan Chicago!)may or may not be impacted by energy legislation before the Congress this year.

    The [...]
    Posted: August 17, 2009, 10:38am EDT

  • A New Voice for Clean Water at MWRD

    Gov. Quinn has appointed a new Commissioner to the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago. Last week he appointed Mariyana Spyropoulos to the MWRD seat vacated in January when then-Commissioner Patricia Young resigned her seat.

    Spyropoulos very nearly won a seat on the [...]
    Posted: August 12, 2009, 9:23pm EDT

  • Sierra Club And Our Allies To Sue Midwest Generation

    UPDATED OCTOBER 12TH:

    Since we filed notice of our intent to sue this summer, the Obama Administration and Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan brought suit on their own against these plants.

    Now we are seeking to intervene in the governments' action to help them secure the best possible' [...]
    Posted: July 28, 2009, 8:10am EDT

  • John Rogner to IDNR

    There's great news today for fans of Illinois' great outdoors - John Rogner, a career biologist with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, has been named Assistant Director of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

    I've worked with John for many years, and he will be a tremendous' [...]
    Posted: July 20, 2009, 11:34am EDT

  • Quinn Signs Major Energy Savings Plan Into Law

    Enclosure: [download]
    At an event on Chicago’s west side today, Governor Quinn signed SB 1918 into law, giving Illinois one of the strongest programs in the country to help homeowners and businesses cut their heating costs by reducing use of natural gas. The program was a top priority of Sierra Club and [...]
    Posted: July 10, 2009, 1:54pm EDT

  • SCOTUS Backs Sierra Club vs. IL Dirty Coal Plant

    Another big decision from Washington today in favor of a clean energy future:
    U.S. Supreme Court Rejects Last-Ditch Effort to
    Build Outdated Illinois Coal Plant

    Washington, D.C.--In a victory for clean energy, the United States Supreme Court today refused to consider an appeal by EnviroPower, LLC. The company [...]
    Posted: June 29, 2009, 12:07pm EDT

  • Why Foster Voted No

    “As a scientist, I believe that climate change is real and that action is necessary. It is also crucial that we restructure our energy systems to increase efficiency and reduce our dependence on imported sources."

    So why'd he vote no? Here's what he says.
    " [...]
    Posted: June 27, 2009, 10:54am EDT

  • Victory

    The U.S. House's approval of legislation making sweeping changes in America's energy policies is truly an historic action that brings our nation one giant step closer to a clean energy future that includes millions of new jobs, cleaner air for all of us to breathe, energy independence, and most importantly, [...]
    Posted: June 26, 2009, 6:31pm EDT

  • Rush, Quigley, Biggert speak on House floor on climate

    The House is currently debating the American Clean Energy Security Act, and IL reps are speaking up:

    Quigley and Rush spoke in favor.

    Quigley: "We’re often asked, ‘What’s our legacy here? What really matters about what we do?’ And I’d like to think it’s how our children" [...]
    Posted: June 26, 2009, 1:39pm EDT

  • IL Delegation Could Be Decisive In Historic Climate Vote

    Enclosure: [download]


    Take action here [...]
    Posted: June 26, 2009, 8:25am EDT

  • Springfield Delivers Big Gains for Clean Energy

    While the severity of the state's financial crisis makes it difficult for anyone to call this year's legislative session a success, there were major advances for renewable energy and energy efficiency that make Illinois a national leader in energy innovation at a time when Congress and the Obama administration are [...]
    Posted: June 12, 2009, 11:12pm EDT

  • Quigley: "Nothing About Coal Is Clean"

    Great statement from Rep. Mike Quigley on the House floor about the promise of green jobs instead of dirty coal.
    "Mister Speaker, nothing about coal is clean.

    From extraction, to waste slurry, to stream contamination in Appalachia – nothing, I repeat, nothing about this energy source is clean.[...]
    Posted: June 11, 2009, 9:19am EDT

  • Marc Miller Confirmed At IDNR

    Congratulations to Marc Miller, who was finally confirmed today by the Senate as Director of the IDNR.

    Marc is just the man for the big job of restoring the IDNR's integrity and ability to protect Illinois' great outdoors. Miller is a natural resource professional, an avid Illinois outdoorsman, [...]
    Posted: May 29, 2009, 1:52pm EDT

  • Illinois Voters Want Open Space in the Capital Bill

    Yesterday we released a new poll showing that 79% of Illinois voters support devoting $350 million to protecting open space in the capital bill being finalized this week. Here's State Rep. Karen May from the press conference-

    ' [...]
    Posted: May 27, 2009, 2:30pm EDT

  • A Green Capital Bill? - Not Yet

    Legislators are understandably celebrating the passage of a major state capital spending bill last week (although no dollars get raised or spent until Gov. Quinn signs the bill, which appears linked to closing the gaping hole in the state's operating budget).

    The capital spending bill approved by the General' [...]
    Posted: May 26, 2009, 4:15pm EDT

  • Quinn Pushes for High Speed Rail

    This morning I spoke at a press conference with Governor Quinn, a large bipartisan group of legislators, organized labor, and train advocates calling for funding high-speed rail in Illinois in the capital bill. Looks like there is a good chance to get $400 million in state capital funding to help [...]
    Posted: May 22, 2009, 11:58am EDT

  • Illinois to Finally Get Clean Cars - From Obama

    Well it looks like the next car you buy (starting in 2011) will be a lot cleaner, and save you big bucks at the pump. That's what the Illinois Clean Car Act (HB 422/SB 1941) would do, but today the big win for your wallet and the planet comes from' [...]
    Posted: May 19, 2009, 9:51am EDT

  • Score One For the Babies!

    Nice work by Alds. Manny Flores & Ed Burke, and by Environment Illinois and Illinois PIRG, on Chicago's new ordinance banning BPA in childrens' products. Very nice to see Chicago leading the nation here. Too bad the Illinois House wasn't part of the solution when the bill came up there' [...]
    Posted: May 13, 2009, 2:45pm EDT

  • Capitol To Be 100% Wind Powered

    Some might say our Illinois’ state capitol has long been powered by wind and hot air. But from now on, thanks to Springfield’s City Water, Light, and Power and Illinois Governor Pat Quinn, Illinois’ capitol will now be powered by 100% pollution-free wind energy.

    Sierra Club worked with CWLP [...]
    Posted: May 06, 2009, 3:10pm EDT

  • Happy Earth Day

    Wednesday marks the 40th Earth Day, and volunteers with the Sierra Club, Illinois Chapter, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, are marking the occasion at with park cleanups, habitat restoration projects, and public education events around the state. All the events are open to the public.

    This [...]
    Posted: April 21, 2009, 10:06pm EDT

  • Don't Be Afraid of the Dark!

    Earth Hour is Saturday night from 8:30-9:30pm.

    Last year the Chicagoland region reported an electricity savings of 7 percent - the carbon emissions equivalent of taking 1 million cars off the road for one hour or planting 158 acres of trees.

    Lights out Illinois! [...]
    Posted: March 27, 2009, 4:09pm EDT

  • Quinn Reopens Parks

    Spring is just around the corner, and now Illinois residents and visitors can count on being able to experience the great outdoors in all of Illinois' state parks. Today Illinois Governor Pat Quinn made good on a pledge to reopen seven state parks that were closed November 30th, 2008 under' [...]
    Posted: February 26, 2009, 2:35pm EST

  • Employee Free Choice & The Environment

    Last night I had the honor of sharing the stage with some of Chicago and America's strongest champions for working families - Congressman Danny Davis, national AFL-CIO President John Sweeney, Laborers' International Union of North America President Terence O'Sullivan, Anna Burger, who heads the Change to Win labor coalition, and' [...]
    Posted: February 18, 2009, 11:35am EST

  • A New Day at IDNR

    It was great to see Illinois Governor Pat Quinn take early and decisive action today to begin to rebuild the Illinois Department of Natural Resources by appointing an outstanding new Director, Marc Miller. Everyone who loves the Illinois outdoors can take heart today that Gov. Quinn recognizes the critical importance [...]
    Posted: February 05, 2009, 3:00pm EST

  • Quinn Can Lead to a Cleaner Future

    IIllinois Governor Pat Quinn takes office with more knowledge and experience dealing with the energy, environmental, and conservation challenges facing our state than any new governor in Illinois history. As Lieutenant Governor, he pushed the boundaries of his job description to become Illinois' most visible environmental advocate, championing major upgrades' [...]
    Posted: January 31, 2009, 12:02pm EST

  • Obama Clean Car Push Clears Way for Illinois Clean Car Act

    President Obama's action today to direct USEPA to consider allowing stricter state automobile emissions standards is the change we need to save money at the gas pump, retool our auto industry to make better, more efficient cars, and cut air pollution.

    Last year the Illinois General Assembly debated the' [...]
    Posted: January 26, 2009, 11:01am EST

  • Happy New Year, Indeed!

    While the headlines of the day may make Illinois' political landscape seem hopelessly mired in scandal and legal uncertainty, and make saving the planet seem far from the Springfield agenda; we are closer than you may realize to major transformational change coming from, of all places, our state capitol, on' [...]
    Posted: December 30, 2008, 10:29pm EST

  • Party for Change SUNDAY!

    This election is about change, and Sierra Club Illinois PAC is working to make sure that that includes change for the better in Springfield.

    This Sunday night we are throwing a party to help support these efforts, and you're invited. Kingston Mines is a' [...]
    Posted: October 17, 2008, 10:39am EDT

  • Hope for the IDNR

    Today legislators in the House and Senate began a campaign to keep our state parks open, and avoid the layoffs of IDNR staff looking out for our natural resources.

    State Rep. Naomi Jakobsson (D-Champaign-Urbana) and State Sen. Linda Holmes announced bills in both the House (HB 6698) and Senate [...]
    Posted: September 10, 2008, 3:09pm EDT

  • The Ax Falls on the IDNR

    Illinois Democrats may be hugging out in Denver, but back home on Thursday 39 IDNR employees were notified that they'll be out of a job November 1st as a result of budget cuts announced by Governor Blagojevich in July.

    Eleven state parks and fifteen state historic sites will close.' [...]
    Posted: August 29, 2008, 10:05am EDT

  • Denver's Green Streak

    I am out in Denver for the convention this week, and am just amazed at the level of discussion around energy and environmental issues. At times it has felt more like a clean energy conference with politics in the background.

    This is not just a steady, incremental increase in [...]
    Posted: August 28, 2008, 3:22pm EDT

  • IDNR On The Chopping Block

    OK, we get it. The state's finances are about as solid as the "quaking bog" at Volo Bog State Natural Area. There seem to be as many bones of contention and disagreements between legislative leaders and the Governor as grains of sand at Illinois Beach State Park.

    However,' [...]
    Posted: July 24, 2008, 11:37pm EDT

  • Springfield's Stalemate A Hostile Environment

    In the weeks since the adjournment, at least temporarily, of the General Assembly's spring session, I have been thinking a lot about how the dysfunction under the dome has dragged down the environmental agenda.

    In recent years Illinois' environmental community has had an impressive run of big legislative victories [...]
    Posted: June 28, 2008, 10:09pm EDT

  • Who's Hiding The Hybrids?

    Great piece Wednesday night on WMAQ-TV on how hard it is for many car buyers to find hybrid cars.

    Many buyers are told to go to a clean car state if they want to buy a hybrid. HB 3424, set for a vote next week in the Illinois House, [...]
    Posted: May 16, 2008, 9:03am EDT

  • Durbin, Obama Say 'Nay' to Old Energy Policies

    Good to see Sens. Durbin and Obama on the prevailing side in this big vote earlier today:

    U.S. Senate today voted down an amendment by a margin of 42 to 56 (60 votes were needed for approval) that would have opened pristine lands and coastal waters, including the Arctic [...]
    Posted: May 13, 2008, 12:10pm EDT

  • Gas Hits $4 - Cleaner Cars, Anyone?

    Today in Chicago I saw my first $4/gallon gas. $4.04, to be exact (it was for premium). Temporary price spike, or taste of the future?

    You know the feeling - your gas gauge is reading low (that tank went [...]
    Posted: April 14, 2008, 9:20pm EDT

  • Lights Out, Chicago!

    Tonight from 8-9PM is "Earth Hour", when people across the globe will be turning off unnecessary lights and appliances in a symbolic show of strength in the fight against global warming.

    Obviously we need a lot more than one dark hour to solve global warming, but it is impressive [...]
    Posted: March 29, 2008, 9:48am EDT

  • Bill Foster For Congress

    Voters have a clear environmental choice in the March 8th special election in the 14th Congressional District. Bill Foster's strong science background gives him a unique understanding of the challenges facing our environment, and he will be an articulate advocate for solving global warming, protecting endangered species, and cleaning up' [...]
    Posted: March 07, 2008, 4:24pm EST

  • Champions For Change In Springfield

    Here are Sierra Club's endorsements for General Assembly in the February 5th Republican and Democratic Primary elections. An unusual number of contested races this year creates new opportunities to elect environmental champions, and unprecedented threats to the General Assembly’s current environmental leaders. These are Democrats and Republicans we know will' [...]
    Posted: January 30, 2008, 12:51pm EST

  • A Clean Water Ticket For MWRD


    Sierra Club has endorsed three candidates in the February 5th Democratic Primary for Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago. Sierra Club recommends a “clean water ticket” of Dean Maragos, Matthew Podgorski , and Mariyana Spyropoulos to Democratic primary voters in Cook County.

    The [...]
    Posted: January 24, 2008, 11:03pm EST

  • Coal-To-Liquids: Not So Fast

    The coal rush slowed yesterday when the company seeking to turn coal into diesel fuel at a plant in East Dubuque shelved the proposal.

    Getting auto fuel from coal basically doubles the global warming pollution that comes out of a car.

    Sierra Club fought the proposal, [...]
    Posted: December 05, 2007, 8:20pm EST

  • Blagojevich Joins MW Govs to Lead on Global Warming

    At a summit meeting of Midwest Governors today in Milwaukee, Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich is joining the governors of Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Kansas, and Michigan in committing to regional limits on the pollution that is causing global warming.

    Illinois is now at the forefront of states working to [...]
    Posted: November 15, 2007, 9:52am EST

  • Blues Bash Sunday

    Join us if you can:

    Sierra Club's Annual Blues & Greens
    Blues Bash @ Kingston Mines

    with Linsey Alexander and the
    Linsey Alexander Blues Band

    Sunday, November 11
    5 pm till 8 pm
    Kingston Mines Blues Club
    2548 North Halsted, Chicago
    Tickets: $40

    Join us for' [...]
    Posted: November 10, 2007, 2:12pm EST

  • Hear That Giant Sucking Sound?

    Today's Tribune has an article that explains why Sierra Club made having Illinois ratify the Great Lakes Compact one of our top legislative priorities of 2007. Indeed, we are emerging as a target for a thirsty country envisioning some very large straws pointing our way.

    Good work' [...]
    Posted: October 28, 2007, 9:04am EDT

  • The Incredible Shrinking Great Lakes

    Today's New York Times has an alarming story about the effect that low water levels throughout the Great Lakes are having on commercial shipping.' [...]
    Posted: October 22, 2007, 10:28pm EDT

  • Road Looks Clear to Clean Cars

    Today in Vermont, Judge William Sessions ruled against the automakers and for the Sierra Club, the states of Vermont and New York, and other environmental groups, and opened the door for states like Illinois to mandate cutting global warming emissions from cars. Over the vigorous objections of the automakers, he [...]
    Posted: September 12, 2007, 2:54pm EDT
    by Jack Darin

  • Clean Energy Bill Now Law!

    Number of comments: 1
    The major new clean energy programs signed into law today by Governor Blagojevich are two major steps forward toward a cleaner, safer, and more affordable energy future for Illinois. After decades of dealing with the pollution and cost of relying solely on dirty coal and nuclear power, Illinois is now [...]
    Posted: August 28, 2007, 1:08pm EDT
    by Jack Darin

  • BP: Put It in the Permit, Not Just the Press Release

    Number of comments: 2
    We welcome BP's "promise" today to "not make use of the higher discharge limits" recently granted them by the State of Indiana. This is a welcome first step that BP has, perhaps belatedly, realized how much the people of this region love and depend on Lake Michigan, our Great Lake.
    [...]
    Posted: August 24, 2007, 11:28pm EDT
    by Jack Darin

  • Summit on BP Pollution Proposal

    I participated in a summit today at USEPA regional headquarters in Chicago on BP's proposal to increase pollution to Lake Michigan as part of their Whiting refinery expansion.

    At the summit, there were many good ideas about how BP can do better - from citizen groups, the City [...]
    Posted: August 15, 2007, 9:24pm EDT
    by Jack Darin

  • Power Shift

    Number of comments: 4
    Historically, whenever Illinois has passed major energy legislation, environmentalists have made good arguments about the impacts of energy production and consumption, worked long and hard to educate legislators, and then ended up with the table scraps from the real deal (studies, task forces, voluntary goals, some new dollars dwarfed by [...]
    Posted: July 26, 2007, 12:53am EDT
    by Jack Darin

  • 1,000 New Reasons to Buy a Hybrid

    Here's a bright idea from State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulis - a $1,000 rebate when you buy a hybrid and you get a car loan through a participating financial institution.

    26% of Illinois' global warming pollution comes from cars and trucks. To hit the goals science tells us [...]
    Posted: July 15, 2007, 2:35pm EDT
    by Jack Darin

  • House sends iSPACE resolution to Blagojevich

    Number of comments: 3
    The Illinois House today approved, 107-0, a joint resolution in support of iSPACE. It had been adopted by the Senate, so now goes to the Governor and the leaders negotiating the budget, calling for $100 million annually in new conservation land acquisition funding.

    Legislators are about to [...]
    Posted: June 28, 2007, 3:28pm EDT
    by Jack Darin

  • GOP Loses Solid Conservationist

    I sincerely hope that Paul Froehlich's switch from Republican to Democrat, announced today, has more to do with the political issues cited in news coverage than with his strong, pro-environment voting record.

    I am sure Froehlich will continue to support environmental protection as a Democrat, just as he did [...]
    Posted: June 26, 2007, 10:16pm EDT
    by Jack Darin

  • iSPACE in the Souhern today

    Number of comments: 3
    Nice column in the Southern Illinoisan today on iSPACE.

    Les Winkeler writes:

    "Illinois is ranked last among Midwestern states in state-owned protected lands. And, with the state's recent economic downturn, funding for land acquisition has decreased about 80 percent over the past few years.

    The [...]
    Posted: June 08, 2007, 12:14pm EDT
    by Jack Darin

  • IL House Backs iSPACE

    Today the Illinois House adopted HJR 55, sponsored by State Rep. Harry Osterman (D-Chicago), calling for the inclusion of $100 million in new conservation funding in any capital budget. The Senate adopted an identical resolution last week.

    So no state budget deal this week, but another strong showing [...]
    Posted: June 07, 2007, 2:49pm EDT
    by Jack Darin

  • Part of the Solution, or Part of the Problem?

    Number of comments: 2
    Tenaska, Inc. is planning to build the largest new source of carbon dioxide in Illinois near Taylorville. The 630MW coal fired power plant, as currently planned, would add approximately four million tons of carbon dioxide to Illinois’ carbon dioxide emissions annually, the same amount of global warming pollution as 500,000 [...]
    Posted: June 05, 2007, 12:32pm EDT
    by Jack Darin

  • Full Senate, House Committee Recommend iSPACE

    Today the full Illinois Senate and a majority of the Illinois house have voiced their support for $100 million in new funding to protect open space as part of a capital spending plan.

    “Senators on both sides of the aisle, from all parts of Illinois, agree that investing [...]
    Posted: May 31, 2007, 11:47pm EDT
    by Jack Darin

  • Momentum Building For New Conservation Plan In State Budget


    As Illinois lawmakers work toward a new state budget, a growing number of city, suburban, and downstate legislators are calling for new funding to protect open space as part of the final spending plan.

    The proposed "iSPACE" plan would invest $100 million per year in [...]
    Posted: May 29, 2007, 10:43pm EDT
    by Jack Darin

  • Tribune on Smog

    Number of comments: 2
    Today's Trib has a good look at the need to update current standards for smog and soot in our air.

    Here's the link:

    http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-smog_20may20,1,6363846.story?page=1&ctrack=2&cset=true&coll=chi-news-hed [...]
    Posted: May 21, 2007, 11:57pm EDT
    by Jack Darin

  • Happy Earth Day

    Number of comments: 4

    OK, it's shocking enough that global warming is on the tip of everyone's tongue, that Republicans and Democrats alike are lining up behind clean energy and toxics cleanup bills that would never have seen the light of day in Springfield, but this takes the cake - [...]
    Posted: April 22, 2007, 9:16am EDT
    by Jack Darin

  • And the Winner Is ....... Open Space

    When you look at the compiled results of Tuesday's municipal and local election results, there is one very clear trend - voters want open space protected, and their willing to pay for it.

    All of these local conservation land acquisition proposals were approved by voters Tuesday:

    -McHenry [...]
    Posted: April 20, 2007, 12:08am EDT
    by Jack Darin

  • "Cool Cities" Act Passes Illinois Senate

    Number of comments: 2
    On Tuesday the Illinois State Senate passed "The Illinois Cool Cities Act of 2007", which would help Illinois local governments who want to do their part to combat global warming get the job done. The bill, SB 1242, is sponsored by newly elected State Senator Linda [...]
    Posted: March 21, 2007, 2:16pm EDT
    by Jack Darin

  • Popcorn Included: Energy Film Fest


    Join us for Sierra Club's Energy Film Festival! This FREE festival is open to members and non-members alike and will focus on a range of energy issues ranging from fuel-efficient cars, to light switches, to international energy policies. Where we get our energy and how [...]
    Posted: January 25, 2007, 9:06pm EST
    by Jack Darin

  • Springfield Clean Power Deal Story

    Number of comments: 2
    Nice story in today's Chicago Tribune on our deal with Springfield's utility:

    http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-0701060190jan06,1,1527961.story [...]
    Posted: January 06, 2007, 8:34am EST
    by Jack Darin

  • A Salute To Heroes (and Heroines)

    At a press conference in Chicago Thursday afternoon, Illinois Lt. Governor Pat Quinn honored twenty-four 2006 Illinois "Environmental Heroes", including five from the Sierra Club.

    Among those honored were Sierra Club's Joyce Blumenshine, Connie and Jerry Heinrich, Verena Owen, and Cindy Skrukrud. According [...]
    Posted: December 28, 2006, 7:53pm EST
    by Jack Darin

  • Cease Fire!

    Great news yesterday that the Coast Guard has backed away from a proposal to establish a live-fire target practice zone off of our Lake Michigan shoreline. Sierra Club worked here in Illinois and around the Great Lakes to call attention to possible safety and environmental risks associated with war games [...]
    Posted: December 19, 2006, 3:20pm EST
    by Jack Darin

  • Final Vote on Mercury Cleanup is Tuesday

    Number of comments: 1
    The last step in the long fight to cut Illinois mercury pollution hopefully comes Tuesday, with the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules of the General Assembly votes on Blagojevich's plan, now approved by the Pollution Control Board.

    Come watch in person -

    10:30 AM, Tuesday, December 12th
    James [...]
    Posted: December 07, 2006, 6:51pm EST
    by Jack Darin

  • Springfield Clean Power Deal Now Done

    The Springfield City Council tonight approved an agreement with the Sierra Club that will allow a new coal-fired power plant to be built with better pollution controls, launch a new effort to save energy in Springfield, and boost Illinois' wind energy industry.

    The agreement has been on-again, off-again for [...]
    Posted: November 17, 2006, 11:49pm EST
    by Jack Darin

  • Thinking of Going Green on Tuesday? Think Again

    As you know, we will have three choices for Governor when we go into the voting booth on Tuesday. We all know, however, that when all is said and done Tuesday night, either Rod Blagojevich or Judy Barr Topinka will have been elected Governor of Illinois for the next four [...]
    Posted: November 04, 2006, 4:40pm EST
    by Jack Darin

  • It's Unanimous - IPCB Approves Mercury Rule

    The Illinois Pollution Control Board voted unanimously today to adopt Governor Blagojevich’s proposal to cut 90% of the mercury pollution coming out of Illinois coal plants by 2009. This is a historic victory to dramatically reduce a dangerous neurotoxin that threatens the brains and nervous systems of Illinois children.

    [...]
    Posted: November 02, 2006, 2:38pm EST
    by Jack Darin

  • Blagojevich, Topinka on the Environment

    At Channel 2's (Chicago) website -

    http://cbs2chicago.com/video?id=27318@wbbm.dayport.com&cid=28 [...]
    Posted: November 01, 2006, 9:14pm EST
    by Jack Darin

  • Black Crown Marsh - One That Didn't Get Away

    Monday I attended an event to announce the acquisition of Black Crown Marsh near the Lake-McHenry county line. The key purchase finlized last week was the IDNR buying 113 acres that used to be a private hunting club. The tract is home to nine threatened or endangered bird species, and [...]
    Posted: October 17, 2006, 10:40am EDT
    by Jack Darin

  • Blagojevich the Right Choice To Protect Illinois' Environment

    Illinois’ air and water are cleaner today because of the work Governor Blagojevich has done to take on the polluters, and promote solutions to environmental problems. Sierra Club acknowledged this record of achievement with our endorsement Sunday.


    This is exactly the kind of leadership that Illinois needs in [...]
    Posted: October 10, 2006, 11:20pm EDT
    by Jack Darin

  • A Big Blow To a Big Polluter

    This week the federal Environmental Appeals Board dealt a major setback to proposal by Indeck for a new dirty coal plant south of Joliet, right next to the Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie.

    This is a huge victory for those who have fought against all odds against the Indeck proposal. [...]
    Posted: September 29, 2006, 12:10am EDT
    by Jack Darin

  • Clean Cars - Not Just for The Feds Anymore

    Today's Chicago Tribune has a front-page article on the village of Wilmette's proposal to give residents who buy efficient cars a break on their annual sticker fee.

    Good for WIlmette. Good for the Chicago proposal to give free parking to hybrids. Good for Gov. Blagojevich for proposing a [...]
    Posted: September 27, 2006, 11:45pm EDT
    by Jack Darin

  • Blagojevich Unveils Energy Plan

    Today Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich proposed a major new package of policies, programs, and incentives entitled "Leading the Way to Energy Independence."

    We certainly agree with Governor Blagojevich that we can't count on Washington to lead Illinois or America into a smart energy future. Congress and the Bush Administration [...]
    Posted: August 23, 2006, 11:04pm EDT
    by Jack Darin

  • Bush Administration Proposal Much Weaker Than New Illinois Law

    USEPA Administrator Stephen Johnson’s visit to Chicago to tout the Bush Administration’s voluntary approach to keeping mercury from junked cars out of our air and water is ironic. Just like their proposal to go slow and easy on cleaning up mercury from coal plants, they now propose to ask automakers [...]
    Posted: August 11, 2006, 1:39pm EDT
    by Jack Darin

  • Victory for Springfield!

    Tonight in Springfield, the City Council approved the agreement between the Sierra Club and City Water, Light, and Power that will clean the air, promote renewable energy, and create jobs in the Springfield region - a win-win-win for Springfield residents and businesses.

    Among the highlights of the agreement -
    [...]
    Posted: August 09, 2006, 8:41pm EDT
    by Jack Darin

  • Ravinia PAC Party

    We had a great fundraiser for Sierra Club, IL PAC Sunday night at Ravinia. Good food, drink, Yo-Yo Ma and the CSO, and we raised enough to fund one full campaign on behalf of an environmental champion this fall.



    By electing more [...]
    Posted: August 08, 2006, 9:37pm EDT
    by Jack Darin

  • Springfield Energy Vote Delayed Two Weeks

    CWLP wants to give the Springfield City Council to look at the details of their proposed energy plan.
    That's fine by us - we think the more people learn about the plan the more they will like it.

    The State-Journal Register ran a column from me today about the [...]
    Posted: July 19, 2006, 11:54pm EDT
    by Jack Darin

  • A Smart Energy Future For Springfield

    I was in Springfield today to announce a remarkable agreement between the Sierra Club, City Water, Light, and Power (Springfield's utility), and the State of Illinois, that:

    -Allows CWLP to build a new coal power plant with state-of-the-art pollution controls
    -Commits CWLP to reducing global warming pollution by the [...]
    Posted: July 13, 2006, 11:09pm EDT
    by Jack Darin

  • Back On The Blog

    I am back on the job after a month on leave. Sorry for the silence here, but it won't last for long. [...]
    Posted: June 10, 2006, 11:13pm EDT
    by Jack Darin

  • Mercury Rising

    Today's Chicago Tribune has an excellent piece by Michael Hawthorne that shows that mercury emissions from Illinois coal plants continue to increase.

    Most industries have cleaned up their act at least somewhat since the passage of the Clean Air Act, some dramatically. This latest trend shows that the [...]
    Posted: April 29, 2006, 9:08am EDT
    by Jack Darin

  • Tackling Another Source of Mercury



    Governor Blagojevich marked Earth Day today by signing legislation to require the recycling of car parts that contain mercury before the cars are scrapped. The legislation will go a long way toward eliminating the second largest source of mercury pollution in Illinois. Currently, old [...]
    Posted: April 23, 2006, 11:02pm EDT
    by Jack Darin
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