State of Illinois Archives: on Environment


Mark Curran: Use EPA to prosecute corporate polluters

Although, I do not believe the dire warnings that the end of Earth is imminent we are still called to be good stewards. We can work to develop cleaner alternative fuel sources. The Environmental Protection Agency serves an important purpose. Corporate polluters should be prosecuted and sent to prison. We need to protect our water supply. We need to continue to spend money to research climate issues and what can be done to protect the air we breathe, the water we drink and the food we eat.
Source: ScienceDebate.org on 2020 Illinois Senate race Nov 3, 2020

Mark Curran: Use EPA to prosecute corporate polluters

Although I do not believe the dire warnings that the end of Earth is imminent we are still called to be good stewards. We can work to develop cleaner alternative fuel sources. The Environmental Protection Agency serves an important purpose. Corporate polluters should be prosecuted and sent to prison. We need to protect our water supply. We need to continue to spend money to research climate issues and what can be done to protect the air we breathe, the water we drink and the food we eat.
Source: ScienceDebate.org on 2020 Illinois Senate race Nov 3, 2020

Richard Durbin: Renovate our entire drinking water infrastructure

We need to invest in renovating the entirety of our drinking water infrastructure to ensure all Americans have access to lead-free drinking water. We need to seriously address the injustices that have required certain communities to bear the brunt of the damage associated with industrialization. We should clean up legacy superfund and other pollution sites and invest in green spaces and necessary renovations in environmental justice communities.
Source: ScienceDebate.org on 2020 Illinois Senate race Nov 3, 2020

Tammy Duckworth: Every American has a right to clean air, water, and land

Every American has the right to breathe safe air, drink clean water and live on uncontaminated land regardless of their zip code, the size of their wallet and the color of their skin; however, that's often not the case for low income communities and people of color. I'm so pleased to bring Celeste--a tireless advocate for environmental justice--as my guest to the State of the Union so together, we can shine a light on these issues.
Source: RiverBender.com on 2022 Illinois Senate race Feb 3, 2020

Mark Curran: Corporate polluters should be prosecuted and sent to prison

The Environmental Protection Agency serves an important purpose. Corporate polluters should be prosecuted and sent to prison. We need to protect our water supply. We need to continue to spend money to research climate issues and what can be done to protect the air we breathe, the water we drink and the food we eat.
Source: Chicago Sun Times on 2020 Illinois Senate race Jan 22, 2020

J.B. Pritzker: Mandates inspections, permits, caps for facility emissions

Legislative Summary: SB1854: Amends the Environmental Protection Act [so] that no facility shall have fugitive emissions of ethylene oxide above zero. Provides that each facility shall be subject to regular and frequent inspections and testing to ensure that no fugitive emissions of ethylene oxide exist.

Statement in support by Hepler-Broom LLC: Ethylene Oxide: This issue received a great deal of media and legislative attention during last fall's gubernatorial campaign and through the spring legislative session. The bill mandates that such sources obtain a permit in order to continue operation, mandates dispersion modeling, and directs the Illinois EPA to impose a site-specific cap on ethylene oxide emissions.

Legislative Outcome: Passed Senate 54-0-5 on Apr/10/19; Passed House 90-17-11 on May/30/19; Signed by Governor J. B. Pritzker on Jun/21/19

Source: Hepler-Broom LLC on Illinois voting record SB1854 Aug 9, 2019

Anne Stava-Murray: Mandates inspections, permits, caps for facility emissions

Legislative Summary: SB1854: Amends the Environmental Protection Act [so] that no facility shall have fugitive emissions of ethylene oxide above zero. Provides that each facility shall be subject to regular and frequent inspections and testing to ensure that no fugitive emissions of ethylene oxide exist.

Statement in support by Hepler-Broom LLC: Ethylene Oxide: This issue received a great deal of media and legislative attention during last fall's gubernatorial campaign and through the spring legislative session. The bill mandates that such sources obtain a permit in order to continue operation, mandates dispersion modeling, and directs the Illinois EPA to impose a site-specific cap on ethylene oxide emissions.

Legislative Outcome: Passed Senate 54-0-5 on Apr/10/19; Passed House 90-17-11 on May/30/19; State Rep. Anne Stava-Murray co-sponsored the bill and voted YES; Signed by Governor J. B. Pritzker on Jun/21/19

Source: Hepler-Broom LLC on Illinois voting record SB1854 May 30, 2019

Darren Bailey: No mandated inspections, permits, nor caps for emissions

Legislative Summary:˙SB1854: Amends the Environmental Protection Act [so] that no facility shall have fugitive emissions of ethylene oxide above zero. Provides that each facility shall be subject to regular and frequent inspections and testing to ensure that no fugitive emissions of ethylene oxide exist.

Statement in support by Hepler-Broom LLC:˙Ethylene Oxide: This issue received a great deal of media and legislative attention during last fall's gubernatorial campaign and through the spring legislative session. The bill mandates that such sources obtain a permit in order to continue operation, mandates dispersion modeling, and directs the Illinois EPA to impose a site-specific cap on ethylene oxide emissions.

Legislative Outcome:˙Passed Senate 54-0-5 on Apr/10/19; Passed House 90-17-11 on May/30/19; State Rep. Darren Bailey voted NO; Signed by Governor J. B. Pritzker on Jun/21/19

Source: Hepler-Broom LLC on Illinois voting record SB1854 May 30, 2019

J.B. Pritzker: Invest in clean air and water infrastructure

Illinois deserves clean air, clean water, and a safe environment where all communities can thrive. Unfortunately, under Bruce Rauner our environment is under assault. His 736-day manufactured budget crisis defunded state agencies dedicated to the protection of our environment. Rauner proposed scrapping pollution limits designed to ensure clean air and water. And when Donald Trump withdrew the US from the Paris Climate Agreement, Bruce Rauner remained silent, refusing to join other states in committing to this important accord.
Source: 2018 Illinois Gubernatorial website JBPritzker.com Apr 10, 2018

Daniel Biss: Spent his time as a legislator protecting our environment

Daniel currently represents the 9th District in the Illinois State Senate and previously served one term in the Illinois House representing the 17th District. He's spent his time as a legislator expanding access, equity and care for all Illinoisians, fighting for financial security for families, and protecting our environment.
Source: 2018 Illinois gubernatorial campaign website DanielBiss.com Apr 30, 2017

Bruce Rauner: Test drinking water for lead, as social justice issue

Another critical initiative of the Children's Cabinet is reducing young children's exposure to lead. Democrats and Republicans stood together in signing a bill that requires all schools and day care centers to test their drinking water regularly for lead, and inform parents of the results. Reducing lead exposure--which disproportionally affects low-income children and children of color--is a social justice issue.
Source: 2017 State of the State address to Illinois Legislature Jan 25, 2017

Napoleon Harris: Exposing cats & dogs to extreme temperature is misdemeanor

Senator Harris co-sponsored legislation SB125 (became Public Act 99-0311): Amends the Humane Care for Animals Act. Provides that no owner of a dog or cat may expose the dog or cat in a manner that places the dog or cat in a life-threatening situation for a prolonged period of time in extreme heat or cold conditions. Provides that a violation of this provision is a Class A misdemeanor.
Source: VoteSmart synopsis of 2015-2016 Illinois voting record Aug 7, 2015

Pat Quinn: Clean Water Initiative: $1B for wastewater & stormwater

Through our Clean Water Initiative, we're investing more than $1 billion in clean water--and creating 28,000 jobs along the way. And these are good jobs: jobs for welders, cement masons, truck drivers, operating engineers, pipefitters, painters and carpenters. Through these projects, we're replacing ancient water mains, upgrading sewers, and building wastewater treatment plants all over our state.

To date, we've received 91 clean water applications. And this year, we'll expand our Clean Water Initiative--and double this investment--to include critical stormwater and flood control projects. When it comes to creating the infrastructure we need for a strong economy, we've been getting the job done. And there's more work to do.

Source: 2014 State of the State speech to Illinois legislature Jan 29, 2014

Pat Quinn: Leave no child inside

I think it's very, very important that in this time of economic recession, we have parks available for the people. And I made sure that that happened.

We want to leave no child inside in Illinois. I believe that it's important for kids to get outside in nature with their moms and dads, and with others, their friends, to see the wonders of nature. It's important that we understand the spiritual value of being in nature. I was distressed that my predecessor padlocked some of the State parks.

Source: Illinois 2010 State of the State Address Jan 13, 2010

Richard Durbin: Drives a Ford hybrid that gets 30 mpg

During the debate, the candidates were asked what kind of car they drive and what kind of gas mileage it gets. Durbin said he drives a Ford hybrid that got 30 miles per gallon on a recent vacation.

Sauerberg acknowledged it might be a political misstep for him to drive a foreign car, a Lexus, although he gets about 23 miles a gallon now that he has changed his driving habits. “I’m supposed to probably drive an American car,” Sauerberg said.

Source: 2008 Illinois Senate Debate reported in Chicago Sun Times Oct 7, 2008

Steven Sauerberg: Drives a Lexus that gets 23 mpg

During the debate, the candidates were asked what kind of car they drive and what kind of gas mileage it gets. Durbin said he drives a Ford hybrid that got 30 miles per gallon on a recent vacation.

Sauerberg acknowledged it might be a political misstep for him to drive a foreign car, a Lexus, although he gets about 23 miles a gallon now that he has changed his driving habits. “I’m supposed to probably drive an American car,” Sauerberg said.

Source: 2008 Illinois Senate Debate reported in Chicago Sun Times Oct 7, 2008

Mike Bost: Supports recycling but also cost/benefit analysis

Source: 2000 Illinois National Political Awareness Test Nov 1, 2000

  • The above quotations are from State of Illinois Politicians: Archives.
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2020 Presidential contenders on Environment:
  Democrats running for President:
Sen.Michael Bennet (D-CO)
V.P.Joe Biden (D-DE)
Mayor Mike Bloomberg (I-NYC)
Gov.Steve Bullock (D-MT)
Mayor Pete Buttigieg (D-IN)
Sen.Cory Booker (D-NJ)
Secy.Julian Castro (D-TX)
Gov.Lincoln Chafee (L-RI)
Rep.John Delaney (D-MD)
Rep.Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI)
Sen.Amy Klobuchar (D-MN)
Gov.Deval Patrick (D-MA)
Sen.Bernie Sanders (I-VT)
CEO Tom Steyer (D-CA)
Sen.Elizabeth Warren (D-MA)
Marianne Williamson (D-CA)
CEO Andrew Yang (D-NY)

2020 Third Party Candidates:
Rep.Justin Amash (L-MI)
CEO Don Blankenship (C-WV)
Gov.Lincoln Chafee (L-RI)
Howie Hawkins (G-NY)
Gov.Gary Johnson(L-NM)
Howard Schultz(I-WA)
Gov.Jesse Ventura (I-MN)
Republicans running for President:
Sen.Ted Cruz(R-TX)
Gov.Larry Hogan (R-MD)
Gov.John Kasich(R-OH)
V.P.Mike Pence(R-IN)
Gov.Mark Sanford (R-SC)
Pres.Donald Trump(R-NY)
Rep.Joe Walsh (R-IL)
Gov.Bill Weld(R-MA & L-NY)

2020 Withdrawn Democratic Candidates:
Sen.Stacey Abrams (D-GA)
Mayor Bill de Blasio (D-NYC)
Sen.Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY)
Sen.Mike Gravel (D-AK)
Sen.Kamala Harris (D-CA)
Gov.John Hickenlooper (D-CO)
Gov.Jay Inslee (D-WA)
Mayor Wayne Messam (D-FL)
Rep.Seth Moulton (D-MA)
Rep.Beto O`Rourke (D-TX)
Rep.Tim Ryan (D-CA)
Adm.Joe Sestak (D-PA)
Rep.Eric Swalwell (D-CA)
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Page last updated: Oct 13, 2021