Blog Archive

This blog is now an archive of posts prior to September 2020. New posts will be published at https://www.sierraclub.org/illinois/blog Thanks!

ICYMI: Tribune Op-Ed argues that graduated income tax would help the environment

In times of crisis, we count on government to protect us. This year, amid a respiratory health pandemic and urgent calls for racial justice, we have seen the importance of government agencies charged with combating threats to our health and lifting up communities that have been harmed most by pollution, economic inequality and racism. We’ve…

During this crisis, support your neighbors across the state

The latest jobs report paints a startling picture of the U.S. economy, with millions of Americans unemployed. The last few months have been difficult for many Americans, and I hope that you and your loved ones are safe and healthy. If you are fortunate enough to be in good health and financially stable during this…

Earth Day at 50, And A World In Crisis: What We Must Do Now

This week marks the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, but missing are the large rallies, marches, cleanup days, educational fairs, and other gatherings that have annually celebrated the role we can each play in protecting the planet.  These moments to show our support for our common home are of course cancelled by COVID19, as are…

Linda Sullivan: Pass the Clean Energy Jobs Act in Illinois

Linda Sullivan, Sierra Club River Prairie Group volunteer, had her letter to the editor published in the Chicago Tribune. Her piece is reprinted below.   When Greta Thunberg begs legislators to stop telling her she is amazing but instead do something actually effective to avert climate disaster, she is talking about bills like the Clean…

Connecting for Clean Water: First statewide Water Sentinels gathering a huge success!

Last weekend, Sierra Club volunteers from around the state came together for our first Illinois Water Sentinels gathering, hosted by the Eagle View Group in the Quad Cities. The weekend included presentations from water experts, outings to explore the area and witness the impacts of flooding, plus opportunities to connect with one another over shared…

House Passes Ban on Toxic Receipts

SPRINGFIELD– The Illinois House today approved legislation banning store, bank, and other receipts containing bisphenol-A (BPA). BPA exposure has been associated with an increased risk of conditions such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease as well as effects on the development of reproductive tissues, the immune system, and other tissues. Recent studies have found that BPA…

Illinois House and Senate Pass Landmark Legislation to Clean Up Coal Ash

Bill addresses coal ash impoundments plaguing the state for decades Yesterday the Illinois Legislature passed SB9, the Coal Ash Pollution Prevention Act, which now heads to the Governor’s desk. The groundbreaking bill addresses the many waste pits filled with coal ash, the toxic byproduct of burning coal, located all over the state. Illinois is now…

Reflections on HOW Great Lakes Conference in Detroit

Earlier in May, I attended the Healing our Waters (HOW) Coalition’s annual Great Lakes Conference. It was the coalition’s 14th (and my 4th) iteration of this conference, and this year showed a palpable shift in how things are done, who is invited to the podium and what content is highlighted. The conference booklet describes a…

Partnering for Clean Water for All

Last week, we celebrated World Water Day by engaging with partners to address the global theme of leaving no one behind when it comes to accessing clean water. The UN holds the goal of access to clean water and sanitation for all by 2030. But today, billions around the globe still don’t have access to…