Please take a moment to phone or email your state representative and senator.

By Joyce Blumenshine

The current session of our Illinois Legislature will end on April 30th, and bills are moving fast! Please see the listing below and phone or email your state legislators to support our Illinois Chapter Sierra priorities. Our legislators need to hear from us on these important bills including, environmental and public protection regarding coal plant demolition, advancing Electric Vehicle charging, and Environmental Justice issues!

Environmental Justice Permitting in Illinois – House Bill 4093 / Senate Bill 2906:
This important legislation creates the first definition of environmental justice for our state environmental protection act, recognizing fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, and national origin. Steps for public notice, community involvement, and a site review process are included for new large air pollution permits.

Power Plant Demolition Transparency & Protection – House Bill 2767 Amendments 2 &3:
Amendments 2 & 3 to HB2767 list procedures for giving local communities faced with a coal power plant demolition notification, public hearing, and establish transparency for companies reporting on what will be done to take down the structures. This bill is very much needed as coal plant demolition at the Crawford Power Plant, Chicago, resulted in a huge health-threatening dust cloud on Easter Sunday, in 2020, and the company doing the Wood River plant demolition, Alton, was unresponsive to community requests for information.

Improve Access to EV Charging - House Bill 3125:
This legislation expands access to Electric Vehicle charging stations for residential owners and renters. It provides for charging access in parking areas at new or renovated multi-unit residential and other buildings to provide for better access for commuting and other EV vehicles.

Oppose House Bill 4818 Regarding PFAS:
Unfortunately, House Bill 4818 as proposed will only apply to 200 hazardous chemicals, instead of the 5,000 that should be included for protecting the public and environment in our state. Please urge your state Representative and Senator to oppose this bill. PFAS, which stands for per-and poly-fluoroalkyl substances, are termed ‘forever’ chemicals as they do not degrade In the environment and they bio-accumulate in animals, people and wherever they are. This bill must be amended.

Who is your state Representative and Senator? Use this app on the Illinois State Board of Elections website to find out.