We can take action to protect Illinois’ environment in 2024

Every life depends on a livable environment. So there’s nothing more important than protecting the web of life that sustains us all. Every year, Environment Illinois staff and supporters work to put the environment first. Recently we have organized the public to reduce plastic waste, helped Illinoisians take advantage of new clean energy tax credits to reduce climate-warming emissions, and raised a call on major corporations to do right by our planet. Of course, there is still more work to do. In 2024 we plan to both build on recent successes and identify new opportunities to take action for a greener Illinois.

Zero waste

Wildlife over waste

Every day people are throwing away tons of single-use cups, containers and other plastic “stuff.” Among the most common and hazardous forms of plastic pollution are polystyrene foam containers (the stuff most of us call Styrofoam) and other single-use items, which persist in the environment for hundreds of years. Along with other members of the Coalition for Plastic Reduction we celebrated the Illinois legislature’s passage of a ban on plastic foam cups and take-out containers for state agencies. Nothing we use for a few minutes should be allowed to pollute our oceans and rivers and threaten wildlife for centuries, so we’re calling for a full statewide phase out of plastic foam foodware.

Right to repair

When something breaks, you fix it. That’s just common sense. But manufacturers of everything from phones to appliances to tractors intentionally make things difficult to repair. For example, Americans dispose of 416,000 cell phones per day, and only 15 to 20 percent of electronic waste is recycled. We are working to tackle planned obsolescence, and make sure consumers and small businesses have access to the parts, tools and service information they need to repair products so we can keep things in use and reduce waste.

Keeping plastic out of our waterways

A shocking amount of plastic is shed from our clothes, and enters our waterways from our washing machines. Tiny fibers shed from synthetic clothing and textiles while they’re being washed and go into wastewater infrastructure that treatment plants are unable to fully filter out. While we work to reduce the amount of plastic in our clothing, requiring microfiber filtration systems in washing machines can help keep these fibers from entering our environment and waterways.

Clean Water

Protect our waters

Lake Michigan and Illinois’ rivers depend on streams and on wetlands to filter out pollutants. Yet as a result of a 2023 Supreme Court’s decision, more than half of our nation’s streams and remaining wetlands no longer have federal protection from pollution or degradation. Illinois should strengthen its protections for wetlands and streams for the clean, healthy water that both humans and wildlife in the state rely on.

No toxics on tap

Everyone deserves clean water to drink. But across the country, the drinking water of millions of Americans is tainted by toxic chemicals called PFAS, which are linked to cancer and other severe illnesses. We’re working to stop the use of PFAS in consumer products, clean up contamination in our water and communities, and to hold industry accountable for damage they have caused.

Get the lead out

Lead contamination of drinking water at schools and child care centers is a widespread threat to our childrens’ health. Illinois should address this threat by requiring water utilities to fully replace all lead service lines especially near child care centers and schools. The state can also direct schools and child care centers to replace fountains with lead-filtering water bottle stations and install filters certified to remove lead at all other taps used for cooking and drinking water.

Conservation

More nature

People need nature. From the shoreline of Lake Michigan to the Shawnee National Forest, our state is home to an array of priceless green spaces, waterways and wildlife. Pollution and development threaten our forests, grasslands, and places to get out into the great outdoors to see wildlife, hike, climb, camp, fish and hunt. Scientists recommend that we need a plan to protect 30% of our land by 2030 and 50% by 2050. To meet that goal, we’ll need more permanent land conservation.

Protect endangered species

We’re losing animal species at an alarming rate, and scientists warn we’re nearing a new mass extinction. There are hundreds of species in Illinois listed as endangered under the state endangered species act. The biodiversity of our state is part of what makes Illinois a wonderful place to live. We need to protect endangered species, like the spotted turtle in the stream and the piping plover on the shoreline of Lake Michigan, from threats caused by human activities.

Save the bees

Bees are dying off at an unsustainable rate, with serious consequences for our natural world. They play a vital role as pollinators, and losing them would have a devastating ripple effect across all ecosystems. A UN report found that 90 percent of wild plants and 75 percent of all food crops need animal pollinators and of those pollinators, bees are nature’s best. That’s why we’re working to establish and expand bee habitats through tools like roadside pollinator strips and stop the use of bee-killing pesticides.

Clean Energy

Clean Energy homes

Burning fossil fuels in our homes and businesses is responsible for at least 9 percent of all US emissions and pollutes our land, water and the air we breathe both inside and outside of our buildings. Despite the threat this poses to our planet and our health, three out of every four American homes still directly burn fossil fuels for heating, hot water or to run appliances. It’s time to electrify our buildings. Not only are electric technologies like heat pumps and induction stoves more efficient, they can also be powered by renewable energy like solar and wind rather than fossil fuels.

The Cleanest Energy: Efficiency & Conservation

New technologies mean we can use lightbulbs in our homes and businesses that waste less energy. By raising efficiency standards for other residential and commercial appliances, we can remove the least efficient products from the Illinois market, reducing energy consumption and associated air and climate pollution, as well as saving consumers and businesses billions of dollars. For all these reasons, reducing energy waste should be a top priority. We’re supporting policies that require or incentivize adoption of energy efficiency technologies.

Clean Air

Clean transportation, clean air

Air pollution and high asthma rates are just a few of the symptoms attributable to a transportation system that relies heavily on congested roads and polluting cars. Illinoisans need more sustainable options, like expanded and improved rail and bus systems and cleaner cars, to get them around.