Environment Illinois

Great news for the Great Lakes! Governor Pritzker signed the bill to define plastic pellets as pollution. This is a critical first step in addressing this unnecessary plastic waste.

Illinois law is the first in the Great Lakes region to designate industrial plastic pellets as pollution Companies that manufacture, use or transport nurdles must report spills and will be required to develop plans to limit them in storm runoff.

An animal's home is a huge part of what keeps them safe from extinction. Even if logging, mining and development doesn't physically harm an animal, it does harm them by ruining their habitat.

The Endangered Species Act has helped protect habitat for endangered animals, but a tiny change to a definition paves the way for mass destruction of beaches, forests and meadows without regard to how that will send species into decline.

Habitat loss is driving species toward extinction. Take action to restore protection for endangered animals' homes.

Tell your U.S. House representative: Defend endangered species and their habitat Endangered species will struggle to survive without safe places to nest, find food and mate.

Thank you Congressman Sean Casten and Rep. Darin LaHood for cosponsoring the Great American Outdoors Act 250. This bipartisan bill will fund projects in places like Shawnee National Forest and Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge.

As we get to the end of Plastic Free July, join us on a path to learning more about plastic pollution and taking action to reduce waste. Get more tips, tools and links to event RSVPs on our website: https://environmentamerica.org/illinois/articles/celebrating-plastic-free-july-as-america-turns-250/

Wetlands help protect our clean water. Look out for informational flyers about protecting Illinois wetlands as local businesses around Chicagoland this week!

Local Chicago businesses advocating for wetlands protections July 13th through the 19th 2026, we partnered with local businesses around the Chicagoland area to advocate for the protection of Illinois wetlands.

Thank you Reps. Nikki Budzinski, Jan Schakowsky & Mike Quigley for cosponsoring the America the Beautiful Act. This bipartisan bill will fund projects in places like Shawnee National Forest and Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge.

Illinois is full of beautiful nature. With rock formations, winding rivers and wonderful wildlife. State parks, forest preserves, beaches, family farms and the nature in our neighborhoods and backyards are a big piece of what makes Illinois a beautiful place to live.

Our nation is turning 250, and to celebrate we invited friends, partners and fellow Illinoisans to share photos of some of their favorite spots of nature here in the Prairie State.

Illinois is beautiful A photo gallery of some of Illinois's amazing nature shared by our friends, members and staff in honor of America's 250th anniversary

The results are in for the names of the four new piping plover chicks at Montrose Beach! Read more here.

Meet Buddy, Frankie, Mavis and Tweedy: the four new Piping Plover chicks at Montrose Beach This summer Sea Rocket and Imani, have welcomed four new chicks at Montrose Beach. Each chick is named after a famous Chicago musician.