Prairie Rivers Network

08/31/2026

Now’s your chance to help shape data center regulation in our county! The Data Centers Activities Task Force’s next meeting is Monday, August 31, and the meeting’s entire agenda is dedicated to public comments.

How can you help? Show up to the meeting! If you like to dig into the details: Pick a topic or topics and review the proposed ordinance (found on our blog) ahead of the meeting, and provide feedback on the language as well as topics or issues that are missing. You can deliver your feedback either in person at the August 31 meeting, or via email at [email protected]. If you send an email, please indicate in the email’s subject line that you are commenting on the data center draft ordinance.

Please know that PRN is dedicated to co-creating the best ordinance possible for Champaign County. Your ideas and voice are critical to this process. We hope to see you tonight!

https://prairierivers.org/front-page/2026/08/next-champaign-county-data-center-task-force-meeting-needs-your-input

08/26/2026

On August 7th, Prairie Rivers Network learned that the erosion along the Middle Fork of the Vermilion River had reached a critical “trigger” point along the riverbank near 3.3 million cubic yards of toxic coal ash, requiring reinforcement to prevent the coal ash impoundment from collapsing into the floodplain. The plan to remove the coal ash from the floodplain of the river has been awaiting approval from the Illinois EPA for more than four years.

A recent article in the Chicago Tribune details this story of toxic coal ash, Illinois’ only National Scenic River, and regulatory delays. Read it here: https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/08/26/vermilion-river-coal-ash-erosion/?share=hrtcwmmiss6oeeoiii2g

08/23/2026

The impacts of climate change were front and center in Illinois this summer, with health-harming wildfire smoke and torrential rainfall. Despite federal rollbacks, our state continues to chart a path forward to ensure energy is produced in a clean, renewable, and carbon-free way. Tune into our Tuesday, August 25th, 12 pm webinar to learn about Illinois’ clean energy goals and policies, discuss what makes a site right for clean energy development, explore project benefits, and identify the role that local units of government play in permitting solar and wind projects.

This webinar is part of our Resilient Communities Webinar Series, cohosted with the University of Illinois Extension.

08/21/2026

In 2017, Prairie Rivers Network and Sierra Club served notice of intent to sue Pacific Ethanol, whose ethanol refinery in Pekin was routinely violating its wastewater permit, including discharging waste into the Illinois River up to 40 degrees Fahrenheit hotter than its permit allowed. The Illinois Attorney General’s Office filed suit in 2018, at the request of the Illinois EPA.

The fight took eight years, and other pollution issues remain, but Alto Pekin LLC (formerly Pacific Ethanol), has been ordered to pay a $75,000 civil penalty and fund $125,000 in wetlands restoration at Emiquon National Wildlife Refuge in Lewistown, IL.

“Rivers can’t speak in court, so we speak for them,” said Robert Hirschfeld, Director of Water Policy at Prairie Rivers Network.

Read the full article from the Chicago Tribune https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/08/20/ethanol-plant-pollution-emiquon-wildlife-refuge/?share=ttceig8ihmlww2i0rtci

08/18/2026

Pesticide drift exposure is not as far away as you may think, but since Illinois’ current system is largely built to respond after harm is reported, drift events are notoriously not tracked. There are no statewide air-monitoring or notice requirements in place to help us understand when and where these exposures are happening. As a result, investigations typically don’t begin until someone files a complaint.

For the past eight years, Prairie Rivers Network has been dedicated to monitoring, sampling, and learning how different pesticides travel through the environment and how they affect the places and communities we hold near and dear. We’ve worked with partners to pass stronger regulations for the use of pesticides. We’ve educated individuals about how to report exposure events so they can be properly documented with the Illinois Department of Agriculture.

And the Morton story is just one of many. Prairie Rivers Network will continue to sound the alarm on this issue. Together we can work to protect the places we hold near and dear.

Read the full article. https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/08/16/pesticide-drift-illinois-farmers/?share=rod6iteil622git0wtta

08/13/2026

Southern Illinois coal mine managers are facing federal charges after allegedly concealing deadly conditions during a 2021 underground fire that put more than 100 miners at risk. The fire’s environmental impacts are still unfolding, including PFAS contamination from firefighting foam used underground.

PFAS are highly persistent “forever chemicals” that, when ingested, can lead to serious health problems including cancer and organ and immune system damage. This pollution resulted in water quality violations and a civil enforcement lawsuit brought against the Mine owner by the Illinois Attorney General (AG). Prairie Rivers Network and Illinois Sierra Club joined the AG’s lawsuit.

Prairie Rivers Network and our partners have been pushing for accountability and continued oversight to protect local people, waters, and wildlife.

Read the full article to learn more. https://thesouthern.com/news/feds-southern-illinois-coal-mine-managers-concealed-deadly-conditions/article_90f553a7-ab1a-5d00-b1b1-3bfa561fb0b8.html

08/03/2026

A stronger electric grid doesn’t happen overnight—it takes years of planning and investment.

As Illinois’ electricity demand continues to grow, expanding and modernizing our transmission system will help deliver more clean energy, improve our grid reliability, and keep electricity affordable for households across our state.

Read our latest blog post for a closer look at Illinois’ transmission projects and what they mean for our energy future through the link below!

https://prairierivers.org/front-page/2026/07/why-is-transmission-needed-for-a-clean-energy-future/

07/14/2026

Hey, Chicago! Check out this cool opportunity from Chicago Wilderness Alliance to learn more about how increasing data center development in and around Chicago could affect natural areas.

This free webinar is happening this Thursday, July 16, from 12-2 PM, and PRN's Director of Climate Policy, Andrew Rehn, will present.

Join in this Thursday for an online discussion on our nation's hottest topic: data centers and their impact on people and nature. The event is free and all are welcome.

Data Centers and the Future of the Chicago Wilderness Region: Why the Conservation Community Needs to Engage on the POWER Act
Thursday, July 16, 12-2pm CST
Register at: https://www.chicagowilderness.org/events/EventDetails.aspx?id=2068010&group=

Illinois is in the middle of a massive data center boom, and it's already starting to affect the Chicago Wilderness region. We're seeing rising electricity demand, more reliance on polluting backup generators, and growing pressure on local water supplies, with environmental justice communities often bearing the brunt of it. This Cafe will dig into what this trend means for our region and what's being done about it. Andrew Rehn from Prairie Rivers Network will walk us through how fast data centers are growing in Illinois, what that could mean for our ecosystems, water, and air quality, and introduce the POWER Act (SB4016/HB5513), which would require data centers to bring their own clean energy, protect ratepayers, improve water reporting and efficiency, and add new protections for vulnerable communities. Learn more about how the conservation community can come together and advocate on this issue.

Presenters:
Tarik Shahzad, The Nature Conservancy
Andrew Rehn, Prairie Rivers Network

07/01/2026

On Monday, June 15, Prairie Rivers Network was named the National Wildlife Federation’s Affiliate of the Year—highlighting our leadership in protecting water, healing land, and inspiring change in Illinois and beyond.

For nearly 60 years, PRN has been a dedicated champion for the environment in our state. From securing stronger protections at the local, state, and even federal levels, we have always been and will continue to advocate for resiliency in the face of our ever changing climate.

As we celebrate this achievement, we are reminded the work does not stop—it’s more important than ever. Join our network and help us to continue to protect our waterways, land, wildlife, and communities across the state. Sign up for our email list or donate today (links in comments)!

Read the synopsis of Maggie’s remarks on our blog!

06/30/2026

Prairie Rivers Network has a long history of working alongside people across the state to address coal’s environmental and public health impacts. Over the last year, PRN has been a proud part of the Illinois Coal Workers & Communities Listening Project through a collaboration with the Climate Jobs Institute at University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. Through the project, our team is also helping to preserve and share the oral histories of advocates and PRN members.

Check out our blog to learn more about the stories of Mike and Kristin Camp with Protect the Middle Fork, Sue Smith and Nancy Goodall with Stand Up to Coal, and Mary Ellen DeClue with Citizens Against Longwall Coal Mining.

June 30, 2026 | Blog Post Prairie Rivers Network has been a proud part of the Listening Project for a year, helping to ground the project in history and science, establish connections, and record oral histories in coal communities across the state...