Environment Illinois

10/14/2026

PFAS chemicals are contaminating waterways across the United States, putting fish, wildlife and drinking water at risk. A new report from Environment Illinois Research & Education Center, Illinois PIRG Education Fund and Frontier Group looks at how widespread is PFAS contamination in these waters, and what we can do about it.

America’s rivers, lakes and streams are places we drink from, fish and enjoy. How widespread is PFAS contamination in these waters, and what can we do about it?

10/08/2026

Our wild forests like the Shawnee National Forest are amazing places. Thank you to everyone who submitted public comments asking the USDA to leave the Roadless Rule in place and continue to protect our wild forests.

“The Roadless Rule has kept logging out of America’s last remaining wild forests for decades. These are truly special places where you can still find trees older than America, hundreds of feet tall and too big to wrap your arms around,” said Lisa Frank, Environment America’s executive director. “The Roadless Rule was enacted with overwhelming support in 2001 and that support continues today. We have lost 90% of our original forests. We must protect our wild forests so they can continue to grow and be experienced by future generations.”

10/07/2026

America’s wetlands are worth protecting. They absorb floodwaters, filter tap water and provide vital habitat for migratory birds, amphibians and fish.

Stripping federal protection for wetlands will put up to 94% of remaining U.S. wetlands at risk. With over half of the Lower 48’s original wetlands already gone, we simply can’t afford to lose more.

Send your message today to ask the EPA to keep existing federal protections in place for America’s wetlands and streams.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is moving to undo decades of progress on clean water. Tell the agency to keep federal protections for wetlands and streams in place.

09/29/2026

Join us for, "Do the rot thing: How to compost at home" on Wednesday, September 30th at 1pm Central and celebrate Food Waste Prevention Week.

We've invited Cassandra Marketos, author of Compost After Reading, to guide us through the basics of composting at home and answer any questions you have. People of all experience levels are encouraged to join.

Join our webinar to learn how to compost at home from expert Cassandra Marketos.

09/25/2026

Bees are dying at alarming rates, in part because of bee-killing pesticides. These pesticides are available in most states for next-day shipping via Amazon. Tell Amazon: Stop the sale of bee-killing pesticides now:

Many of America's bees are plummeting toward extinction. Amazon can make a difference by stopping the sale of bee-killing pesticides.

09/22/2026

The first day of fall has brought with it a chill in the air across much of the state. Fall also is a time when there are lots of wildlife on the move.

Join Environment Illinois in counting wildlife along roads between Oct. 2 and 11 as part of the 2026 Roadside Wildlife Count to better understand the impacts of roads on wildlife and call for more investments in wildlife crossings.

Become a roadside wildlife tracker now.

09/17/2026

This Saturday: Join us for a beach cleanup at North Avenue Beach in Chicago for International Coastal Cleanup Day!

Join us at North Avenue beach to participate in International Coastal Cleanup Day on September 19th.

09/14/2026

The Forest Service has doubled down on its plan to erase protections for 45 million acres of wild forests, including here in the Shawnee National Forest. Submit your public comment to defend our forests before the comment period closes: https://bit.ly/4xfzztK

08/27/2026

America’s best idea is worth protecting. This National Parks Week our staff have been thinking about recent visits to parks and the beautiful nature that they protect.

America’s best idea is worth protecting.