Illinois has been a national leader in creating a stable market for
renewables by passing a Renewable Energy Standard that mandates 10% of energy produced in the state must be from renewable sources by 2015, and 25% by 2025. Alexi would push for a national Renewable Energy Standard that meets the Illinois standard.
Source: 2010 Senate campaign website, AlexiForIllinois.com, "Issues"
Dec 25, 2009
Ameya Pawar:
Must confront climate change
We are responsible for protecting the environment not only for ourselves, but for future generations. Climate change is real, and we must confront it head-on. Illinois has been a leader in clean energy, and
Ameya will continue to build on that legacy by prioritizing carbon reduction in new infrastructure projects and working to ensure our regulations incentivize the development of renewable energy.
Source: 2018 Illinois Gubernatorial website pawar2018.com
Sep 1, 2017
Barack Obama:
Invest in alternative energy sources
Barack Obama believes that by investing in alternative energy sources and improving automobile fuel efficiency, America can be a leader in this global market while spurring new industries and creating jobs at home.
His “Energy Independence for Illinois” plan will reduce American dependence on foreign oil and promote emerging markets throughout the country.
Source: 2004 Senate campaign website, ObamaForIllinois.com
Jun 25, 2004
Barack Obama:
Increase CAFE to 40 mpg
Obama will increase Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) to 40 mpg for cars from their current mid-1980’s level. Americans will save billions of dollars and millions of barrels of oil per day by implementing these already existing technologies.
Source: 2004 Senate campaign website, ObamaForIllinois.com
Jun 25, 2004
Barack Obama:
Tradable credits for renewable energy
Obama will support legislation requiring that by 2020, 20% of the nation’s power supply portfolio comes from renewable sources like wind, solar, biomass and geothermal energy. Promoting renewable energy will create new investments and new jobs without
increasing prices. Obama has proposed a flexible market-based approach that allows electricity providers to either generate the renewable energy themselves, obtain it from other companies, or purchase credits from providers who exceed the standard.
Source: 2004 Senate campaign website, ObamaForIllinois.com
Jun 25, 2004
Barack Obama:
Renewable Fuels Standard: require ethanol in fuel supply
Obama will support requiring that 20% of the nation’s power supply comes from renewable sources like wind, solar, biomass & geothermal. He will increase CAFE to 40 mpg for cars. He will create a Renewable Fuels Standard that requires that a percentage
of our fuel supply is provided by fuels such as ethanol. Oil companies should utilize the non-environmentally sensitive lands currently available. He will pressure the FTC to monitor oil mergers that decrease competition & increase the price of gas.
Source: 2004 Senate campaign website, ObamaForIllinois.com
May 2, 2004
Barack Obama:
Sponsored legislations that improve energy efficiency
Obama co-sponsored a Renewable Portfolio Standard that mandates ten percent of total electric utility output must be renewable by 2012. He sponsored the Biodiesel Fuel Act to require diesel fuel sold in Illinois to contain at least two percent biodiesel
fuel by volume. He was chief co-sponsor of the Energy Efficiency Building Act and the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards Act, which aim to improve energy efficiency in residential, commercial, and industrial buildings and in certain household products.
Source: 2004 Senate campaign website, ObamaForIllinois.com
Sep 28, 2004
Barack Obama:
20% nation’s power supply from renewable sources by 2020
Neither American security, nor our economic potential, can afford to be held hostage by those half a world away because our nation is too dependent on others for our energy. This requires concrete steps to move us toward energy independence including
requiring that 20% of the nation’s power supply portfolio come from renewable sources like wind, solar, biomass and geothermal energy by 2020, and that a percentage of our nation’s fuel supply is provided by renewable fuels such as ethanol and biodiesel.
Source: 2004 Senate campaign website, ObamaForIllinois.com
Sep 28, 2004
Bill Enyart:
Support the coal mining industry
The UMWA endorsement shows my support of the coal mining industry in Illinois, Enyart said. after the endorsement was announced at the Coal Miners Memorial Park in West Frankfort."Enyart is very supportive of the issues we lobby and fight for,
including mine safety and easier qualification for Black Lung benefits," a United Mine Workers of America representative said. "But he is also opposed to national right-to-work legislation. When Gen.
Source: The Southern Illinoisan, "United Mine Workers of America"
Oct 18, 2012
Bill Enyart:
Support the coal mining industry
The UMWA endorsement shows my support of the coal mining industry in Illinois, Enyart said. after the endorsement was announced at the Coal Miners Memorial Park in West Frankfort."Enyart is very supportive of the issues we lobby and fight for,
including mine safety and easier qualification for Black Lung benefits," a United Mine Workers of America representative said. "But he is also opposed to national right-to-work legislation. When Gen.
Enyart calls for opening more coal mines without insisting that they be union mines, he appears to be putting the interests of the mine owners over those of the workers. For that reason, I am disappointed that the
UMWA would endorse him."
Enyart said he would work with the UMWA to "stress the importance of skilled union miners in bringing that coal up. There is a push by companies to develop non-union mines and that is not the way to go."
Source: The Southern Illinoisan, "United Mine Workers of America"
Oct 18, 2012
Bruce Rauner:
Green energy part of future mix
Governor Bruce Rauner signed the Future Energy Jobs bill. It contains a guaranteed cap that energy prices cannot increase more than 25 cents on the average residential home, and cannot increase more than
1.3 percent on commercial and industrial users over the next ten years. It also promotes unprecedented wind and solar expansion and preserves zero-emission generation, maintaining Illinois' status in leading the nation in zero-carbon generation.
Source: Quad City Times on 2018 Illinois gubernatorial race
Jul 17, 2017
Bruce Rauner:
Relax emission limits to save coal-fired power plants
Climate Change: Consider climate change a critical threat? Pritzker: Yes. Considers it "a real threat," wants to move Illinois toward 100% renewable energy.
Rauner: No public statements.
Climate Change: Should the government limit the levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere?
Pritzker: Yes. Supports participation in U.S. Climate Alliance, a coalition of states committed to climate change action.
Rauner: No. Relax emission limits in order to save IL coal-fired power plants. Has not joined Climate Alliance.
Renewable Energy: Government support for renewable energy?
Pritzker: Supports increasing requirements for the percentage of renewable energy produced by utilities.
Rauner: Signed bill to promote "unprecedented" renewable energy sources,
Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on Illinois Governor race
Nov 1, 2018
Chris Kennedy:
Lack of clean energy hurts competitiveness
When companies expand to Illinois or within our state, they want to know that they will find clean water and fresh air. As governor, Chris would work with public and private stakeholders to establish a long-term sustainability plan for our state.
If Illinois does not act as a leader in protecting the environment and pursuing clean energy policy, we will damage our competitiveness, and ultimately we will have to follow the lead of other states.
Source: 2018 Illinois Gubernatorial website KennedyForIllinois.com
Sep 1, 2017
Daniel Biss:
Fully renewable energy
Reducing carbon emissions needs to be a priority. Illinois must move to a fully renewable energy mix, preserve its rivers, prairies, and woodlands,
and make sustainability a goal in future infrastructure investments.
Source: 2018 Illinois Gubernatorial website DanielBiss.com
Sep 1, 2017
J.B. Pritzker:
Support Paris Agreement, renewable energy
I will ensure Illinois upholds the provisions of the Paris Climate Agreement by joining an alliance of states committed to upholding the accord. I will fight to maintain full funding for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, and
I will work to expand shared renewables like 14 other states and the District of Columbia, which already have plans in place. I will also defend our regional EPA office and restore funding to critical conservation programs across the state.
Source: 2018 Illinois Gubernatorial website JBPritzker com
Sep 15, 2017
J.B. Pritzker:
Won't sign an energy bill written by utility companies
Our spring agenda must also address the pressing issue of adopting new clean energy legislation that reduces carbon pollution, promotes renewable energy, and accelerates electrification of our transportation sector. Urgent action is needed--but let me
be clear, the old ways of negotiating energy legislation are over. It's time to put consumers and climate first. I'm not going to sign an energy bill written by the utility companies.
Source: 2020 Illinois State of the State address
Jan 29, 2020
J.B. Pritzker:
Climate change is a real threat
Climate Change: Consider climate change a critical threat? Pritzker: Yes. Considers it "a real threat," wants to move Illinois toward 100% renewable energy.
Rauner: No public statements.
Climate Change: Should the government limit the levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere?
Pritzker: Yes. Supports participation in U.S. Climate Alliance, a coalition of states committed to climate change action.
Rauner: No. Relax emission limits in order to save IL coal-fired power plants. Has not joined Climate Alliance.
Renewable Energy: Government support for renewable energy?
Pritzker: Supports increasing requirements for the percentage of renewable energy produced by utilities.
Rauner: Signed bill to promote "unprecedented" renewable energy sources,
Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on Illinois Governor race
Nov 1, 2018
Kathy Salvi:
Increase our production of all types of energy
As Senator, I will work tirelessly to free American industry and ingenuity to increase the domestic production of energy.
We must not be solely focused one type of energy, but instead increase our production of all types of energy from oil and natural gas to renewables.
Source: 2022 Illinois Senate campaign website KathySalvi.com
Jun 30, 2022
Mark Curran:
Opposes "far-left radical environmental agenda"
Curran said Durbin has moved to the far left on issues like the environment. "Dick
Durbin is in bed with the far-left radical environmental agenda which is killing Illinois," Curran said.
Source: WSIL-TV News-3 on 2020 Illinois Senate race
Sep 10, 2019
Mark Curran:
Not convinced climate change is current threat to humankind
I am not convinced that climate change is currently a threat to humankind. However, humans have suffered negative effects from prior misuse of the planet. Although, I do not believe the dire warnings that the end of Earth is imminent we are still called
to be good stewards of the Earth. We can work to develop cleaner alternative fuel sources.
Source: Chicago Sun Times on 2020 Illinois Senate race
Jan 22, 2020
Mark Curran:
Yes to cleaner fuel but some climate ideas are alarmist
We can work to develop cleaner alternative fuel sources. Even if you don't believe man has contributed to climate change reasonable corrective behaviors will lead to cleaner air, cleaner water and a cleaner planet. I do not think it is necessary at this
time to say what those corrective behaviors should be but many of the suggestions being put forward are alarmist. Many of these suggestions would be too costly, have little impact and would decrease quality of life.
Source: ScienceDebate.org on 2020 Illinois Senate race
Nov 3, 2020
Mark Curran:
Yes to cleaner fuel but some climate ideas are alarmist
We can work to develop cleaner alternative fuel sources. Even if you don't believe man has contributed to climate change reasonable corrective behaviors will lead to cleaner air, cleaner water and a cleaner planet. I do not think it is necessary at this
time to say what those corrective behaviors should be but many of the suggestions being put forward are alarmist. Many of these suggestions would be too costly, have little impact and would decrease quality of life.
Source: ScienceDebate.org on 2020 Illinois Senate race
Nov 3, 2020
Mark Kirk:
Climate change is real, but no carbon tax
Q: On Climate Change: Believe that human activity is the major factor driving climate change?Duckworth: Yes
Kirk: Has said climate change is real, but questions the role of industrial emissions:
Kirk recently acknowledged that human activity contributes to climate change, but historically has questioned this and voted against bills that would have addressed climate change.
Q: On Climate Change: Should government limit the levels of greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere?
Duckworth: Yes
Kirk: No. Opposes carbon tax and EPA regulation of greenhouse gases
Q: On Renewable Energy: Support government mandates and/or subsidies for renewable energy?
Duckworth: Yes
Kirk: Yes. Also supports fossil fuel subsidies.
Source: CampusElect Voter Guide to 2016 Illinois Senate race
Oct 9, 2016
Mike Bost:
Develop and use of alternative fuels
Bost indicates support of the following principles regarding the environment and energy.- Encourage further development and use of alternative fuels to reduce pollution.
- Support "self-audit"
legislation which creates incentives for industries to audit themselves and clean up pollution.
- Require a cost/benefit analysis to determine the economic impact of proposed environmental regulations before they are implemented.
Source: 2000 Illinois National Political Awareness Test
Nov 1, 2000
Mike Bost:
Focus on exploration, to become energy independent
For too long, we have lacked a long-term energy plan. It's time to stop talking about the need to becoming more energy independent and start working on an agenda, in a bipartisan manner, to actually move us closer to it.
Mike believes that America can and should be energy independent, and that a focus on exploration, innovation and technology are the keys to harnessing our own natural resources.
As a leader in the Illinois State House, Mike was the chief negotiator for the Illinois Hydraulic Fracturing Regulation Act in 2013, which will allow the state to expand and
grow its energy production with the potential to creating thousands of good, high paying jobs in Southern Illinois.
Source: 2014 Illinois House campaign website, BostForCongress.com
Nov 4, 2014
Napoleon Harris:
More renewable energy credit; more CO2 regulation
Senator Harris co-sponsored legislation SB1485: Amends the Illinois Power Agency Act.- Establishes a long-term renewable resources procurement plan that includes all renewable energy credits necessary to meet specified goals (replacing the current
renewable portfolio standards).
- Amends the Public Utilities Act concerning nondiscrimination, energy efficiency and demand-response measures, natural gas efficiency programs, real-time pricing, infrastructure investment and modernization, the
Illinois Smart Grid test bed, and on-bill financing programs for electric and gas utilities.
- Adds provisions related to renewable energy credit procurement.
- Provides that upon promulgation by the US EPA of a final rule regulating carbon dioxide
emissions from existing electric generating units, the Illinois EPA shall be authorized to implement a cap and invest program or similar market mechanism to regulate carbon dioxide emissions.
Source: VoteSmart synopsis of 2015-2016 Illinois voting record
Nov 1, 2015
Pat Quinn:
$400M for IL as center of Midwestern high-speed rail network
We can be an inland port for the whole central part of our country. But we have to make sure we have good transportation. We have to unsnarl some of the freight bottlenecks in our rail. We have to have good passenger rail. We want to have a passenger
train that goes from Chicago to the Quad Cities & beyond. And we also want to have high-speed rail that connects Chicago to St. Louis.You know, fast trains are the wave of the future. Our president is committed to this. Our state has invested $400
million dollars. We look forward to a high-speed rail network where our state is the center for the whole network for the Midwest. I've worked with other governors across the Midwest, both Democrat & Republican. We understand that rail can create a lot
of new jobs, and we're very committed to that.
We want to use an inland port, that whole idea, to create new high-wage jobs in Illinois. We are creating an intermodal [system] that is going to create thousands of jobs for hard-working people.
Source: Illinois 2010 State of the State Address
Jan 13, 2010
Pat Quinn:
Invest in both clean coal and wind power
We understand that FutureGen, a project that is on the drawing board and is close to fruition, located in Matton, Illinois, where we have clean coal, we do it in the right way. This is an opportunity for our State, and I want to personally thank
Senator Durbin for his leadership on this issue. Hopefully we can get that investment in downstate Illinois.Related to this: the whole area of wind mills and wind turbines. I think this is something that all of us will embrace as we go through this
next few years. We've invested money in our capital bill in this. We have investment also in opportunities for credit for those who develop wind power. We make sure they have contracts and so on. But what's important about wind power is it's clean,
and it's all from our own back yard and it's all American.
I've been to Iraq; I've been to the combat zone. And I think it's our duty back home to try and be as energy independent as we can.
Source: Illinois 2010 State of the State Address
Jan 13, 2010
Paul Schimpf:
Opposed energy bill as "environmental virtue signaling"
Two Illinois nuclear plants would be saved from closure and carbon-emitting coal plants would be closed in the next quarter-century in a clean-energy package the state Senate approved."Democrats have once again chosen special interest groups over the
people of Illinois. Their environmental virtue signaling will not impact global climate change but will result in the largest rate increase in Illinois history, raising utility prices for working families and making our energy supply less reliable."
Source: WPSD Local NBC-6 on 2022 Illinois Gubernatorial race
Sep 13, 2021
Peggy Hubbard:
Don't believe lies of the left on human-made climate change
I do not believe in the effects and threats of human-made climate change the left spews out, but whether you believe in the effects of human-made climate change or not, the free market continues to address and come up with more efficient ways to do
things than the government. If we cut all of our emissions in the U.S. to zero, we would only reduce things globally by around 15%. That does nothing but cost American jobs and increase utilities on our families.
Source: Chicago Sun-Times on 2022 Illinois Senate race
Jan 29, 2020
Raja Krishnamoorthi:
The time for America's clean energy future is now
As president of an Illinois company that researches solar energy technology, Raja understands that the time for America's clean energy future is now. A cleaner environment and a stronger economy are not competing goals, as many in Congress seem to
believe. Instead, nations that lead the way in developing clean energy technology will gain a competitive advantage in creating the good jobs of the future.
Now is the time to act to combat this global threat in a smart way that saves our environment while preserving and creating jobs. America, in concert with other countries, must work to reverse the damage being done to the global environment.
Source: 2016 Illinois House campaign website RajaForCongress.com
Nov 8, 2016
Richard Durbin:
Energy tax to fund infrastructure investment
Q: Are other taxes that you believe that you can raise?DURBIN: We need to open our minds to our tax revenue. We've had conversations about an infrastructure fund that will really start America building again, for the highways and airports and locks
and dams.
Q: How do you fund that? It's already funded by gas taxes, right? You want to raise the federal gas tax?
DURBIN: I believe we should have energy taxes that really fund infrastructure investment.
Q: On who?
DURBIN: It's going to create
jobs in America. On the gas tax: now is not the moment to raise it, but it really is something we should consider in the future. But there are other sources of energy taxes we ought to consider. I'll give you an example, the electric power grid in
America is ancient. If we are going to expand it so that it can meet the needs of the 21st Century, we need an investment. That means revenue coming in from that sector. I think they would be open to it if the investment went back into the infrastructure
Source: CNN SOTU 2013 interview on 2014 Illinois Senate race
Jan 6, 2013
Richard Durbin:
Empower the EPA to regulate greenhouse emissions
If we want to avoid the most disastrous effects of climate change, we must rapidly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. We need to empower the EPA to regulate emissions. We must invest in alternative fuels. We should help transition to a clean energy,
carbon neutral future by putting a price on carbon. I've introduced America's Clean Future Fund Act, which would raise a carbon tax and invest the revenues in clean energy development, transition assistance for workers.
Source: ScienceDebate.org on 2020 Illinois Senate race
Nov 3, 2020
Richard Irvin:
Opposes radical total phase-out of fossil fuel power plants
[On alternative energy sources]: "J. B. Pritzker pushed a radical total phase-out of fossil fuel power plants with massive spending and facility closures to begin over the next few years," said Irvin. "Now, residents in central and southern
Illinois are going to pay the price for Pritzker's misplaced priorities with the possibility of no power at all this summer."
Source: City Journal on 2022 Illinois Gubernatorial race
May 25, 2022
Sharon Hansen:
No subsidies for wind and solar
Question topic: Governments should pay to develop wind and solar energy solutions when these are not economically feasible.
Hansen: Strongly Disagree
Source: Faith2Action iVoterGuide on 2014 Illinois Senate race
Sep 30, 2014
Tammy Duckworth:
Human activity is the major factor driving climate change
Q: On Climate Change: Believe that human activity is the major factor driving climate change?Duckworth: Yes
Kirk: Has said climate change is real, but questions the role of industrial emissions:
Kirk recently acknowledged that human activity contributes to climate change, but historically has questioned this and voted against bills that would have addressed climate change.
Q: On Climate Change: Should government limit the levels of greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere?
Duckworth: Yes
Kirk: No. Opposes carbon tax and EPA regulation of greenhouse gases
Q: On Renewable Energy: Support government mandates and/or subsidies for renewable energy?
Duckworth: Yes
Kirk: Yes. Also supports fossil fuel subsidies.
Source: CampusElect Voter Guide to 2016 Illinois Senate race
Oct 9, 2016
Kathy Salvi:
More natural gas to relieve reliance on foreign energy
When asked about climate change, both Salvi and [Democratic Sen. Tammy] Duckworth acknowledged the legitimacy of the crisis. But they have different beliefs on how to combat it.Salvi touted natural gas as a clean fuel that could relieve some of the
nation's reliance on foreign energy sources, but she complained Democrats were pursuing energy alternatives without the proper framework in place to support such a massive conversion. "It doesn't make sense to be able to say let's switch over to
renewables before we have the infrastructure," she said. "And our economy is hurting because of it."
Duckworth touted her support of legislation that has led to greater pursuit of renewable, clean-energy sources in an attempt to combat climate change.
She said her voting record has allowed the country to "position ourselves toward a future where we can fix both climate change and grow our economy right here in Illinois."
Source: Crain's Chicago Business on 2022 Illinois Senate race
Oct 3, 2022
Nikki Budzinski:
No Green New Deal; but transition to clean energy
We want to make sure that we're keeping energy prices low for working families. But also making sure we're caring for our environment. I think we need to be looking very specifically at our transition to a clean energy economy. I don't support the
Green New Deal, because I think it's too ambitious as far as what the goals that they've set in it (are). I think (in) this transition, we need to take working people into account?I think that's critically important.
Source: Illinois Public Media on 2022 IL-13 House incumbent
Oct 4, 2022
Anne Stava-Murray:
Reduce coal-protectionist provisions; increase regulations
I agree with the vast majority of the objectives and substance of the Future Energy Jobs Act. I believe we need to do more to have a net carbon neutral footprint, including reducing coal-protectionists provisions included in this act. Further,
I think we need to increase regulation of consumption of coal energy from neighbor states so companies don't move to skirt IL environmental regulations. Finally, I believe we need to evaluate any other unintended consequences of this act
Source: Chicago Sun-Times on 2020 Illinois Senatorial race
Oct 22, 2018
Juliana Stratton:
Ensure access to benefits of our growing clean energy sector
Illinois is distributing $57 million in grants aimed at accelerating the state's transition to clean energy, with a focus on disadvantaged communities. "These investments are more than just dollars--they are commitments to communities that have
historically been left behind in the energy economy," Stratton added. "By prioritizing workforce development and innovation, we are ensuring that all Illinoisans--regardless of zip code--have access to the benefits of our growing clean energy sector."
Source: Chicago Construction News on 2026 Illinois Senate race
Mar 25, 2025
Page last updated: Feb 07, 2026