Prairie Rivers Network

06/01/2026

PRN’s new research shows poisonous chemicals are drifting onto our public spaces, and now an article released last week from Investigate Midwest shows cancer rates and pesticide use rates typically rise concurrently—yet we continue to feel pushback from industry on strengthening protections.

“We knew chemical trespass was having a very negative effect on trees and plants,” said Kim Erndt-Pitcher, PRN’s Director of Ecological Health and the project’s lead. “PRN’s new study clearly documents pesticide drift events occurring at parks and schoolyards throughout the warm months. Drift occurred every month, at every site we studied.”

Pesticide Drift in Public Spaces, research PRN launched in April, zeros in on the frequency and long-lasting pesticide exposures to public spaces—including schools, parks, and playgrounds—across Illinois during the growing season.

“Our new data clearly shows that people outdoors, children at play, and the places we enjoy in our communities are regularly being exposed to pesticides,” said Erndt-Pitcher. “Meanwhile, other recent research is highlighting the health impacts pesticide exposures have on children, adults, and animals. Chemical trespass is wreaking havoc and no one is being held accountable.”

This research shows the clear need for stronger regulations on pesticide application in Illinois, and opposition cannot continue to silence the science.

We will continue to sound the alarm on how chemical trespass impacts our communities.

05/28/2026

Across the state there is broad support for local and state actions to regulate data centers and protect communities. The Daily Yonder joined PRN, our partners, and nearly 100 locals for the "Let's Talk Data Centers" event in Bloomington this April—hearing firsthand accounts of people's worries about the impacts these developments can have.

The POWER Act was presented this legislative session, and this article lays out the legislation's plans to regulate data centers—from water use and community transparency to protecting our power grid and energy bills.

You can still join us this Saturday at POWER Act Lobby Day to urge your legislators IN PERSON to support this critical legislation to protect our communities statewide. Register by 11:59pm tonight (May 28th) to let us know you’re coming! http://bit.ly/POWER2026

On a Monday night in late April, nearly 100 people gathered in a public library conference room in Bloomington, Illinois. Sipping on seltzer water and

05/26/2026

The GROUNDWORK Closing Reception and Artist Talks on Thursday, May 28 from 5-9pm. Join us for a last-chance look at the exhibition and hear directly from the featured artists—Kim Curtis, Kelly Hieronymus, Robert Peterson, Peg Shaw, and Tali Weinberg. Each artist will take visitors through their process and talk through the work showcased in the show. Join us to learn more about how art, advocacy, and shared purpose can help shape Illinois’ environmental future.

We hope you are able to experience this powerful exhibition with us!

05/20/2026

The US Environmental Protection Agency is proposing dangerous rollbacks to federal coal ash protections, putting communities and groundwater at risk of toxic pollution. These changes would weaken oversight, delay cleanup requirements, and allow coal ash—a byproduct of burning coal that contains arsenic, boron, mercury, radium, and so many more chemicals tied to health complications like cancer, heart disease, and brain damage—to remain in contact with groundwater for years to come.

There’s still time to take action! Learn how in our recent blog post co-authored by Earthjustice!

May 1, 2026 | Blog Post Prairie Rivers Network and Earthjustice teamed up for a Q&A about federal rollbacks of coal ash protections, how Illinois might be affected, and how we can take action.

05/18/2026

PRN’s Nina Struss and Robert Hirschfeld got the chance to see the Quad Cities from a completely different viewpoint—up in the air! Huge thank you to LightHawk for taking our team over Nahant Marsh, the Southwest Rock Island Wetlands, and along the Rock Island River to Green Valley Nature Preserve.

By seeing these landscapes from above, we can get a birds-eye view of these valuable ecosystems. Prairie Rivers Network is working to strengthen efforts to protect the natural infrastructure in our state, like these wetlands and set-asides that help reduce flooding, protect drinking water, and keep communities resilient and safe.

05/14/2026

Don't miss tonights episode of At Issue with Mark Welp featuring an interview with Andrew Rehn, PRN's Director of Climate Policy, discussing data center impacts on our water sources, our power grid, and our communities.

05/11/2026

Join Prairie Rivers Network and .at.the.cohen for a Still Life Open Draw this Wednesday from 6-8pm within the GROUNDWORK exhibition. A thoughtfully arranged collection of natural objects and materials will inspire participants to slow down, observe closely, and connect with the landscapes, textures, and living systems that shape not just this exhibition, but our world.

Whether you’re an experienced artist or simply curious to sketch, come spend time making marks, sharing space, and drawing inspiration from the natural world we hold near and dear.

Come draw with us!

05/07/2026

Prairie Rivers Network is glad to be supporting the development of the large pollinator garden at the Pre-k with Eldorado Impact. Keep an eye on the progress as these tiny seeds make big impacts at B.E.L.A. and beyond.

04/30/2026

Pesticide Drift in Public Spaces builds on the groundbreaking herbicide drift report, Hidden in Plain Sight, released in 2024. This new research zeros in on the presence and frequency of pesticide drift in outdoor public spaces—including schools, parks, and playgrounds in rural and urban areas.

From May through September of 2025, the Prairie Rivers Network team travelled monthly throughout the state gathering samples from 10 sites to help us better understand what pesticides are frequently airborne and how far they are traveling—and the results showed chemical trespass affects both rural and urban areas across our state.

This research shows it is increasingly obvious that current practices for large-scale chemical application are not preventing drift exposures to public spaces that we hold near and dear.

“Illinoisans’ tax dollars pay for beautiful and healthy places for our children to play and learn, and for us to enjoy nature,” said Kim Erndt-Pitcher, PRN’s Director of Ecological Health and project lead. “Drifting pesticides are not only harming those investments, but also our communities statewide.”

Read the full report here https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vd-IEyj8QjSU1TbR9Ujgc6ls-CXJXxlO/view?usp=drive_link

04/28/2026

Illinois’ draft Comprehensive Climate Action Plan (CCAP) makes strong progress on energy, transportation, and industry—but leaves a major gap in agriculture, land use, and water. Last June, Illinoisans called for bold changes: protect wetlands and natural lands, move beyond the status quo in agriculture, and rethink reliance on biofuels and methane digesters. The plan recorded that input—but largely ignored it.

CCAP is a chance to rebuild the natural systems that support climate resilience, but it must include clear, thoughtful action on land use and agriculture. This matters for our rivers, groundwater, and the landscapes that protect us from flooding and pollution—and for ensuring climate action is effective and fair.

Add your voice! Sign the public comment letter by Friday, May 1. https://prairierivers.org/action-items/2026/04/public-comment-letter-draft-illinois-comprehensive-climate-action-plan-agriculture-land-use-and-water/