Call of the Wild: Protecting Southern Illinois’ Natural Treasures

Famous for vistas like Garden of the Gods, the Little Grand Canyon, Panther Den and Inspiration Point, the Shawnee National Forest in Southern Illinois has no shortage of natural beauty. But only a few of these already special public lands meet the rigorous criteria for a federal Wilderness designation. That’s why ELPC and our coalition partners are pursuing federal Wilderness designations for three particularly majestic areas of the Shawnee – Camp Hutchins, Ripple Hollow and Burke Branch.

We benefit when we protect our lands. This wilderness designation would be a win for the environment, for local communities and for jobs across Southern Illinois.

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News and Updates

CLEAN AIR

Mapping Chicago’s Air Pollution

Last summer, we partnered with Microsoft Research’s Urban Innovation team and others to deploy a network of stationary air quality sensors on 100 bus shelters throughout Chicago. The network has provided some of the most extensive hyperlocal measurements of air quality across Chicago. New analysis of that data highlights air pollution hotspots on the city's West and South sides. ELPC’s Community Science Organizer, Tiffany Werner, has been a liaison between Microsoft and local Chicago community groups throughout this partnership, ensuring local stakeholders helped inform where these sensors were placed. You can’t have a project that aims to address air quality disparities without involving those who are most affected.

CLEAN TRANSPORTATION

ELPC Welcomes U.S. EPA Clean School Bus Program

The program provides an important opportunity for school districts to obtain funding, $5 billion over the next five years, to replace diesel school buses with clean electric school buses. That is good for kids, public health and the environment. We will continue to urge EPA to revise the guidance on which schools qualify and reduce barriers to applying so that students and their school districts can access this important new program.

Get Ready! Midwest Rail Projects are Ready to Roll

The Federal Railroad Administration announced a new federal program for intercity passenger rail. It’s the first step in distributing $30 billion in new rail investments established in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to revamp passenger rail in the Midwest and benefit our region for years to come.

CLEAN WATER

Op-Ed: Lake Michigan Shoreline Communities Should Plan for More Extreme Water Levels

Climate change realities are causing extreme lake water level shifts – both higher and lower. Read Executive Director Howard Learner’s latest op-ed on what Lake Michigan shoreline communities can do to adapt to these changing conditions and shape a more sustainable future.

ACTION CENTER

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Help us tell the Chicago Department of Transportation & Chicago Transit Authority to build 5 Bus Rapid Transit lines in the next 5 years!

UPCOMING EVENTS

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CONVERSATIONS WE'RE FOLLOWING

Wisconsin State Journal: Cardinal-Hickory Creek Power Line Ban on River Crossing Stands, for Now
NW Indiana Times: Judge OKs deal for Cleveland-Cliffs to pay $3M fine, donate land to Indiana Dunes National Park after chemical spill
ELPC Blog: Chicagoland coalition calls to stop road boondoggles in regional planning
Midwest Energy News: Former PUCO chair texted he knew FirstEnergy charge was likely unlawful, but company would keep money anyway
Wisconsin Examiner: DNR Update to Logging Rules Raises Alarms for Activists

We're all in to protect the Midwest's environment.

Founded in 1993, the Environmental Law & Policy Center is the Midwest's leading environmental legal advocacy organization. We advocate, innovate, and litigate to protect the Midwest's environment from the Great Lakes to the Great Plains.

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