The Illinois Climate Action Network (Illinois CAN) is a coalition led by 12 diverse groups that has embarked on a multi-year effort to tackle global warming through legislative measures and citizen involvement throughout the state. Since its formation in early 2008, it has been joined by a growing array of organizations across the state that have signed on in support of the group's mission.
Scientists agree that climate change is caused by the release of carbon dioxide and other heat-trapping gases from human activity, and, if left unchecked, the rising temperatures and increased storm activity it brings will impact the world's water supplies and agriculture, wildlife habitat and human health. In Illinois, the Union of Concern Scientists has projected an increase in droughts, a loss of wetlands, a potential increase in ground-level ozone, heavier flooding and increased risk of waterborne infectious diseases.
The Illinois CAN Steering Committee
Environmental Law and Policy Center
Illinois Environmental Council
Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance
Natural Resources Defense Council
Protestants for the Common Good
Respiratory Health Association of Metropolitan Chicago
Coalition Partners
Advanced Energy Solutions, Inc.
American Bottom Conservancy
American Jewish Committee
City of Evanston (member of Cool Cities program)
City of Waukegan (member of Cool Cities program)
Community Energy Systems
Community Environmental Council of Macon County
Fox Valley Electric Auto Association
Illinois Stewardship Alliance
League of Women Voters of IL
Northwest Audubon Society
Prairie Rivers Network
Project Irene
Rockford Urban Ministries
Sustain Chicago
Sustainable Springfield, Inc.
Village of Hoffman Estates (member of Cool Cities program)
In 2008, Illinois CAN spearheaded the introduction of an omnibus global warming bill in the Illinois House and Senate. SB 2220, sponsored by State Senator Don Harmon (D-Oak Park), and HB 5254, sponsored by State Representative Elaine Nekritz (D-Des Plaines) contained initiatives that build on the recommendations of Illinois' Climate Change Advisory Group formed in 2006. The bill was seen as the first step towards the broader goal of reducing Illinois' greenhouse gas pollution to 1990 emission levels by 2020 set by Illinois and five other states in the historic Midwestern Regional Greenhouse Gas Reduction Accord in November 2007.
The omnibus bill spawned the Illinois Clean Cars Act, which has been reintroduced in 2009 as HB 422 / SB 1941 with Rep. Karen May (D-Highland Park) and Sen. Jacqueline Collins (D-Chicago) as sponsors. It currently has 31 co-sponsors in the House and six in the Senate. The bill sets standards requiring automakers to increasingly reduce the amount of greenhouse gas emissions produced by cars and light trucks on a fleet-wide average basis between 2009 and 2020.
Fourteen states representing have already adopted clean car standards to address their global warming output, which means automakers are building cleaner cars for them and dirtier vehicles for our state and others. Clean car standards in Illinois would represent an economic tipping point for manufacturers who would decide it's in their best interests to build cleaner cars for the entire nation.
The Illinois Clean Cars Act is just one facet of a multi-tiered legislative approach to curbing global warming being crafted by the Illinois CAN coalition. The group is also working on:
- Greenhouse Cap and Invest Program (HB 3668/SB 856), a cap and trade bill sponsored by Rep. Elaine Nekritz (D-Northbrook) and Sen. Heather Steans (D-Chicago) that has seven co-sponsors and a wide range of supporters. It is in committee in both the House and Senate.
- Energy Efficient Building Act (HB 3987), sponsored by Rep. Julie Hamos (D-Evanston). The bill has 33 co-sponsors and passed out of the House Infrastructure Committee in early March. It is supported by Housing Action Illinois, the American Institute of Architects-Illinois, the Homebuilders Association of Illinois and ComEd.
-Natural Gas Efficiency Portfolio Standard (SB 1918), sponsored by Rep. Robert Flider (D-Decatur) and Sen. Kimberly Lightford (D-Westchester). The Illinois Attorney General's Office has led negotiations on the bill's text and provisions with Illinois CAN members, consumer protection groups and Illinois utilities.
