News & Commentary

It’s Time for Clean Truck Rules in Illinois

July 11, 2022 Expert BlogIllinoisPatricio Portillo, J.C. Kibbey

A new report finds overwhelming public health and economic benefits from Illinois adopting the Advanced Clean Trucks and Heavy-Duty Omnibus Rules.

The Need for Green Schools on Chicago's SE Side

June 21, 2022 Expert BlogChicagoGina Ramirez

A strategy truly focused on equity should include prioritizing buildings and schools in environmental justice communities like the Southeast Side.

Chicago 1995 Heat Wave Still Haunts EJ Communities

June 15, 2022 Expert BlogChicagoGina Ramirez

The Southeast Side of Chicago—like many communities of color around the country—has been put on the frontline of the effects of a worsening climate crisis.

Food Waste Reduction in Chicago’s Climate Action Plan

June 3, 2022 Expert BlogChicagoMadeline Keating

The plan identifies co-benefits and strategies that are intended to not only drive down carbon emissions but also create a more just and equitable city, where all Chicagoan’s can thrive.

One Year Later and Still Waiting for Change

June 2, 2022 Expert BlogIllinoisNatalia Ospina, Meleah Geertsma

In Centreville, Illinois, a majority-Black community has been left waiting for change.

Peoria's Soulside Yoga Studio Trains Scholarship Recipients

May 10, 2022 Expert BlogPeoria, IllinoisAlyssa Brown, Selena Kyle

The Next Chapter in the Climate Fight for Chicago

May 4, 2022 Expert BlogChicagoValeria Rincon

Chicago just released a new Climate Action Plan this week that lays out its long-term strategy for how to address some of the biggest climate challenges facing the third-largest city in the country.

Why Illinois Has a Power Supply Crunch, and How to Fix It

May 3, 2022 Expert BlogIllinoisJ.C. Kibbey

Market forces have driven a lot of coal power offline in the past decade—but regulatory barriers and outdated thinking by some utilities has led to missed opportunities to expand affordable clean energy resources.

After General Iron Fire, Sims Should be Shut Down

April 29, 2022 Expert BlogChicagoGina Ramirez

The EPA and the city of Chicago must do the right thing and keep harmful industries out of our neighborhoods.

Four Poets Honor Chicago’s Hazel M. Johnson, the Mother of Environmental Justice

April 1, 2022 PerspectivesChicago

This National Poetry Month, four writers champion the legendary local activist who launched a movement while they continue to grapple with the work left to be done.

One Year After Hunger Strike to Stop General Iron

February 8, 2022 Expert BlogChicagoGina Ramirez

This time last year, Chicago Southeast Siders vowed not to eat until the city denied a permit for General Iron. Now it’s time to deny the permit.

A Look Back on Another Year Fighting General Iron

December 21, 2021 Expert BlogChicago, IllinoisGina Ramirez

And where things stand today.

Illinois Shows Us What the Road to Clean Energy Should Look Like

December 2, 2021 NRDC in ActionUnited States, IllinoisCourtney Lindwall

Here’s how a formidable clean energy coalition helped pass the most equitable climate legislation in the country—and developed a blueprint for other states to follow.

St. Louis Launches SiLVERS EV Shuttle Service for Seniors

October 27, 2021 Expert BlogSt. Louis, MissouriStefan Schaffer

In the transition to electric vehicles (EVs), St. Louis is thinking outside the box: On September 30, the city celebrated the launch of the innovative St. Louis Vehicle Electrification Rides for Seniors (SiLVERS), an equity-minded program that will provide EV…

Community Resilience for All

October 6, 2021 Expert BlogChicago, IllinoisMarissa Ramirez

Latinos Progresando is one of the first community organizations to go all-electric in the Chicago Area. With a small amount of funds to cover the energy assessment, upgrades not only reduced energy costs, but allowed the building to fully electrify…

The Unsung Hero of Illinois’ Climate Law: Energy Efficiency

October 6, 2021 Expert BlogIllinoisLaura Goldberg

Illinois just passed a new, nation-leading climate law called the Climate & Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA), making Illinois the first Midwest state to have legislation that completely phases out fossil fuels in the power sector. This NRDC blog delves into…

What Southeast Siders Want from IL's Equitable Energy Bill

September 29, 2021 Expert BlogIllinois, ChicagoGina Ramirez, Kyler Sumter

Everything from clean energy jobs to the transformation of our contaminated fields

Illinois One Step Closer to Forging Its Clean Energy Future

September 13, 2021 Expert BlogIllinoisNRDC

The Climate and Equitable Jobs Act will create thousands of good-paying jobs, curb air pollution, and address the climate crisis—all while directing the benefits to communities most in need.

Illinois Passes Nation-Leading, Equitable Climate Bill

September 12, 2021 Expert BlogIllinoisJ.C. Kibbey

Illinois has passed the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (SB2408) into law, redefining the possible and positioning the state as a national leader on equitable climate action.

Peoria Welcomes Electric Transit Buses ElBae and Friends

September 10, 2021 Expert BlogIllinois, PeoriaAlyssa Brown, Selena Kyle

The Greater Peoria Mass Transit District, also known as CityLink, is celebrating the launch of a new all-electric bus it purchased with a $1.23 million grant from the Edwards Settlement Fund. The bus will join two identical models CityLink purchased…