Springfield, Illinois – The Illinois Environmental Council (IEC) announced today a policy agenda that provides a blueprint to create green jobs, protect open spaces, and ensure a more healthful environment for Illinois residents. (Youtube) By following IEC’s 2010 blueprint and building on last year’s environmental legislative successes, Illinois can emerge from this recession as a national and regional leader in the new green economy.
“Leading the Way Out of Recession: 2010 Illinois Environmental Policy Agenda” offers specific policies and legislative action, focusing on four top environmental priorities: global warming and energy, open space and natural areas, clean water, and toxics and human health. The issues were selected by IEC member organizations based on opportunities to immediately impact the health of Illinois citizens and the environment and promote the development of Illinois’ green economy.
“Green economic development is a critical path out of recession and the way forward for the nation. States that invest in energy efficiency, clean energy, and environmental health will be better positioned to compete in fast growing businesses that offer good-paying jobs,” said Charles Jackson, the executive director of the Illinois Environmental Council. “To ensure that Illinois businesses and workers participate fully in the green economy, Illinois must take decisive legislative action now that benefits the environment and creates jobs.”
Examples of recommendations from the 2010 environmental policy agenda that can help drive a green economy and benefit the environment are:
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Solar Solutions – Adjust the existing solar carve out in Illinois’ renewable energy standard to require utilities to purchase solar power as soon as 2011—and not 2015, as currently required.
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Housing and Transportation – Support the adoption of a Housing and Transportation Affordability Index by key state agencies to guide the development of statewide plans, the funding for key public priorities (such as transit, highways, economic development, and business incentives), and the siting of public facilities.
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Factory Farms – Amend the Livestock Management Facilities Act to reduce pollution by increasing environmental protections and opportunities for public participation in the siting of factory farms
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Toxics and Human Health – Eliminate BPA from food packaging, focusing first on our most vulnerable citizens: children
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Land Conservation Funding – Fully fund OSLAD and NAAF and discontinue raiding these and other dedicated funds for other purposes.
The Illinois environmental policy agenda is published annually as a resource guide for legislators, state officials, the media and general public. Copies of the 2010 report can be downloaded at www.ilenviro.org.
The Illinois Environmental Council is a 35 year-old statewide coalition of 50 organizations that performs legislative advocacy in Springfield. The Illinois Environmental Council serves as the environmental community’s eyes, ears and voice in Springfield and provides a forum for environmentalists.
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