September 12, 2024

David McEllis

Illinois Coalition Calls on Governor to Protect Wetlands

ELPC joined over 40 organizations calling for support to pass legislation that can protect wetlands for generations to come.

In 2023, the U.S. Supreme Court made a disastrous decision for the environment, when they severely curtailed the waterways covered under the federal Clean Water Act. In the Sackett vs EPA decision, the Court diminished the federal authority to protect wetlands nationwide.

Other Midwestern states (Michigan, Ohio, and Wisconsin) had state wetlands laws they could fall back on, but Illinois does not have a standalone state wetlands program and has already lost 90% of the state’s wetlands since the 1800s. ELPC convened with our environmental and conservation partners to call for change, pushing for legislation that can fill the gap and protect our critical remaining wetlands.

Last week, over 40 organizations signed and sent the following letter to Governor Pritzker’s office letting him know that this issue is urgent and that there is legislation to address it ready to go. With his support, we can gain the votes needed to get this critical legislation passed, protecting Illinois wetlands for generations to come.

Read the full letter here

Tell your legislators that you care about protecting Illinois’ wetlands. They can pass legislation this fall to ensure these wild and natural places continue to thrive for generations to come.

Take Action Here

Signatories include:

Alliance for the Great Lakes

Alliance of the SouthEast (ASE)

Audubon Great Lakes

Bird Conservation Network

Citizen Action Illinois

The Climate Reality Project: Chicago Metro Chapter

The Conservation Foundation

Delta Institute

Environment Illinois

Environmental Defenders of McHenry County

Environmental Law & Policy Center

Faith in Place Action Fund

Friends of the Chicago River

Friends of Illinois Nature Preserves

Friends of the Forest Preserves

Go Green Glen Ellyn

Go Green Winnetka

Grand Prairie Bird Alliance

Hispanic Federation

Illinois Audubon Society

Illinois Clinicians for Climate Action

Illinois Environmental Council

Illinois Federation for Outdoor Resources

Illinois People’s Action

The Land Conservancy of McHenry County

Land Conservation Foundation

League of Women Voters Illinois

League of Women Voters of Chicago

LWV Upper Mississippi River Region ILO

Metropolitan Planning Council

Midwest Sustainability Group

National Parks Conservation Association

Natural Resources Defense Council

The Nature Conservancy in Illinois

Neighbors for Environmental Justice

Nordson Green Earth Foundation

Openlands

The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum of the Chicago Academy of Sciences

Peoria Audubon Society

Planned Parenthood Illinois Action Fund

Prairie Rivers Network

Prairie State Conservation Coalition

Shedd Aquarium

Sierra Club Illinois

The Wetlands Initiative

Wild Ones of Greater Kane County