Stopping BP’s Great Lakes dumping scheme
In July 2007, BP announced plans to increase its dumping of toxic chemicals into Lake Michigan by hundreds of pounds a day. Within three weeks, we had gathered 80,000 petition signatures, and BP backed down under what the Chicago Tribune called a “firestorm” of criticism.

Building a clean energy future
More of Illinois’s electricity will come from clean, renewable sources, such as wind and solar power, thanks to a law backed by Environment Illinois and signed by the governor in 2007.

Reducing dangerous mercury pollution
Our waterways will be safer and cleaner after Environment Illinois persuaded state decision-makers to commit to reducing mercury pollution from power plants 90 percent.

Saving energy and stopping pollution
Energy efficiency is the cleanest, cheapest and fastest way to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels. In 2007, Environment Illinois helped to pass a law to create energy efficiency programs across the state—and save Illinoisans money on their utility bills every month.

Standing up for Illinois state parks
In 2008, when former Gov. Rod Blagojevich announced plans to shut down 11 state parks, Environment Illinois sprung to action. We worked closely with then-Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn to save four parks in November—including Kickapoo State Park—and fought successfully for the re-opening of the other seven in February.

Preserving Lake Michigan and the Great Lakes
The Great Lakes Compact, passed in 2008, will ensure that water from the lakes is used more sustainably. Environment Illinois  and our allies helped to build support for the agreement, and our advocates in Washington helped to push it through Congress.

Cleaning up pollution in the Great Lakes region
In 2008, Environment Illinois helped to secure $54 million for the cleanup of toxic sediment across the Great Lakes region. The new funds will help to restore critical habitat for species—like the Great White Egret—that call the Great Lakes region home.

Keeping toxic chemicals out of our environment
Our staff successfully fought for a 2006 ban on two kinds of PBDEs, toxic flame retardants that can cause neurological damage to children. PBDEs leach from products and accumulate in Lake Michigan, household dust and our bodies.

Defending the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge
Some 123,000 Porcupine caribou will migrate to their calving grounds in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge this spring, thanks in part to our steadfast opposition to oil company attempts to open this pristine wilderness to oil drilling.

Going farther on a gallon of gas
New gas mileage standards will reduce global warming pollution 424 million metric tons per year by 2030. The new standards, championed by Environment Illinois and our allies, were approved in 2007.