Environment

signed · Illinois · Senate Aug 1, 2025

SB 1723: EPA-SOLE-SOURCE AQUIFER

Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Provides that no person shall conduct a carbon sequestration activity within a sequestration facility that overlies, underlies, or passes through a sole-source aquifer. Specifies that this provisions does not deprive the Environmental Protection Agency of the authority to deny a carbon sequestration permit. Defines "sole-source aquifer".

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRestricts carbon sequestration near sole-source aquifers to protect water resources, aligning with environmental protection goals without weakening EPA authority.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

signed · Illinois · House Aug 1, 2025

HB 2726: DNR-REWILDING POLICY

Amends the Department of Natural Resources (Conservation) Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that the Department of Natural Resources has the power to exercise all rights, powers, and duties conferred by law and to take measures that are necessary for the implementation of rewilding as a conservation strategy in this State, including, but not limited to, the restoration of land to its natural state, the reintroduction of native species, particularly apex predators and keystone species, and the restoration of ecological processes as defined by State-specific baselines.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill explicitly authorizes DNR to implement rewilding, restoring land and reintroducing native species for conservation, directly advancing environmental protection.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

signed · Illinois · Senate Aug 1, 2025

SB 2314: SHORELINE RESTORATION FUNDING

Amends the Healthy Forests, Wetlands, and Prairies Act. Authorizes grants to be provided under the Act for financing shoreline restoration and protection projects on behalf of counties and park districts.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentAuthorizes grants for shoreline restoration and protection projects, directly advancing environmental conservation through funding for habitat protection and natural resource preservation.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

signed · Illinois · Senate Aug 1, 2025

SB 2309: RIVERS/LAKES/STREAMS-FUND

Amends the Rivers, Lakes, and Streams Act. Provides that penalty fees collected for violating the Act and application fees for permits shall be deposited into the Water Resources Fund (rather than the State Boating Act Fund).

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRedirects penalty/permit fees to Water Resources Fund, directly funding environmental management of rivers/lakes/streams.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

signed · Illinois · Senate Aug 1, 2025

SB 2463: OIL AND GAS ACT-SURETY BONDS

Amends the Illinois Oil and Gas Act. Removes cash as an item that an applicant for a permit may provide in lieu of a surety bond required for plugging obligations and the removal of liquid oil field waste from an on-site collection point. Makes changes in provisions concerning the Department of Natural Resources's ability to make rules and conduct hearings for certain purposes. Makes conforming changes.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequiring surety bonds over cash for plugging obligations ensures financial accountability for environmental cleanup, strengthening regulatory enforcement under oil/gas permits.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

signed · Illinois · House Aug 1, 2025

HB 1605: REAL PROP CONSERVATION RIGHTS

Amends the Real Property Conservation Rights Act. Provides that a conservation right includes preserving cultural heritage sites. Provides that any owner of real property in the State may convey a conservation right in such real property to a federally recognized Indian tribe or a State-recognized Indian tribe. Provides definitions for federally recognized Indian tribe and State-recognized Indian tribe. Provides that any holder of a conservation right may transfer or assign a conservation right to an entity eligible to hold such rights as described in the Act. Provides that a conservation right may be enforced in an action seeking injunctive relief, specific performance, or damages by any federally recognized Indian tribe or State-recognized Indian tribe that owns the conservation right.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentExpands conservation rights to include cultural heritage sites and enables transfers to tribes, strengthening land conservation efforts per the Real Property Conservation Rights Act.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

signed · Illinois · Senate Aug 1, 2025

SB 224: EPA-WATER MAIN INSTALLATION

Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Provides that, in the case of water main installation projects, all water main-related appurtenances, and specifically fire hydrants and valves, shall be included in the Agency's written approval of specified public water supply plans. Requires fire hydrants and valves to be designed and installed in accordance with specified standards.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentAmends Environmental Protection Act to require EPA-approved water infrastructure standards, ensuring fire hydrants/valves meet environmental safety protocols for water systems.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

signed · Illinois · Senate Jun 30, 2025

SB 2266: EPA-WATER SUPPLIES

Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Specifies that the Act shall not apply to non-community water supplies, except for purposes of: (1) the Environmental Protection Agency's implementation of the Safe Drinking Water Act; (2) the Pollution Control Board's adoption of rules that expressly pertain to non-community water supplies or all public water supplies; or (3) any provisions of the Act or rules adopted by the Board under the Act that are referenced in, or applicable to, non-community water supplies under the Illinois Groundwater Protection Act and rules adopted by the Department of Public Health under that Act. Amends the Illinois Groundwater Protection Act. Authorizes the imposition of administrative and civil penalties. Effective immediately.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentExcludes non-community water supplies from most EPA regulations, weakening oversight of water quality protections under the Environmental Protection Act.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Environment

passed · Illinois · House Jun 2, 2025

HB 3399: GEOTHERMAL HOMES AND BUSINESS

Creates the Geothermal Homes and Business Act. Provides that, beginning January 1, 2026, the long-term renewable resources procurement plan developed by the Illinois Power Agency shall include a Geothermal Homes and Business Program for the procurement of geothermal renewable energy credits. Sets forth provisions concerning the geothermal heating and cooling system calculation methodology; Program block allocation; Program block pricing; approved vendors; contract terms; utility cost recovery; extenuating circumstances; administration of the Act by the Illinois Power Agency; and the prohibition of double claiming geothermal renewable energy credits. Effective immediately.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyCreates geothermal renewable energy program requiring Illinois Power Agency to include geothermal credits in procurement plan, advancing clean energy infrastructure and renewable adoption95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentCreates geothermal program for renewable energy credits, advancing clean energy adoption and reducing emissions per bill's mandate for geothermal procurement95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed · Illinois · House Jun 2, 2025

HB 3541: ILLINOIS CLIMATE WORKS PROGRAM

Amends the Energy Transition Act. Provides that the Climate Works Pre-Apprenticeship Program shall recruit, prescreen, and provide pre-apprenticeship training relevant to clean energy apprenticeships in the construction and building trades and that the Program shall meet certain requirements regarding applicant placements (rather than requiring each Climate Works Hub that receives funding from the Energy Transition Assistance Fund to perform certain actions).

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyAmends Energy Transition Act to fund clean energy apprenticeship program training workers for renewable energy infrastructure jobs.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentEstablishes Climate Works Pre-Apprenticeship Program for clean energy construction trades, directly promoting workforce development in climate-focused sectors under Energy Transition Act amendments.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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