Environment

in committee · Illinois · House Apr 16, 2025

HB 3614: EPA-CARBON CAPTURE-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. Defines "sole-source aquifer". Effective immediately.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRestricts carbon sequestration near sole-source aquifers to protect water resources, strengthening environmental safeguards under the Environmental Protection Act.90% confidence

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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

Sub-Topics Conservation Wildlife

in committee · Illinois · House Feb 18, 2025

HB 3802: EPA-LANDFILL GAS MGMT

Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Provides gas collection and control system requirements for municipal solid waste landfills, including requirements for gas to be collected from each area in which solid waste has been in place for at least one year, for gas to be drawn toward the gas control devices, for a gas collection and control system to be installed within 12 months of reaching certain thresholds, for gas collection and control design plans to provide for alternative preliminary measures, and for the methane destruction efficiency of flared systems to reach 99%.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyRequires landfill gas collection systems, capturing methane for renewable energy use, aligning with renewable energy promotion and clean infrastructure goals.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentAmends Environmental Protection Act to require landfill gas collection systems, reducing methane emissions and strengthening pollution control regulations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Waste Management

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passed · Illinois · Senate Apr 11, 2025

SR 22: SKIP THE PLASTIC DAY

Declares April 1, 2025 as Skip the Plastic Day in the State of Illinois. urges all residents, businesses, and visitors to reduce plastic waste and protect our environment. Commends all businesses that willingly participate in Skip the Plastic Day by only offering single-use plastic items, including straws and cutlery, by request and that take proactive steps toward reducing plastic waste. Commends all residents who refuse the use of single-use plastic items.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentDeclares Skip the Plastic Day to reduce plastic waste and protect environment, commending pro-environment actions like refusing single-use plastics.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Recycling

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in committee · Illinois · Senate Jun 2, 2025

SB 1430: EPA-WATER REVOLVING FUND

Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Provides that a wastewater treatment facility located in the Village of Lisbon in Kendall County is allowed to apply for the Water Pollution Control Loan Program for the purposes of refinancing existing debt. Effective immediately.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentEnables wastewater facility to access water pollution control loan program for debt refinancing, supporting ongoing pollution control operations under Environmental Protection Act.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Water Quality

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in committee · Illinois · House Apr 7, 2025

HB 1609: PROP TX-NATURAL PRESERVATION

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that, for the purposes of assessment, property registered in perpetuity with the register of areas under the Illinois Natural Areas Preservation Act is considered to be encumbered by a public easement and shall be depreciated to a level at which its value is $5 per acre, and any improvement, dwelling, or other appurtenant structure present on that land shall be valued at 33 1/3% of its fair cash value. Provides that a conservation right on land preserving a habitat for plant and animal species that are native to Illinois (currently, State or federal endangered or threatened species or federal candidate species) is considered to provide a demonstrated public benefit. Provides that a conservation right on land located adjacent to a park, conservation area, nature preserve, or other land or water area that is publicly owned or otherwise permanently protected for conservation purposes is considered to provide a demonstrated public benefit if the conservation right on that land furthers the conservation purposes of the adjacent protected area. Effective immediately.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesReduces property tax burden for conservation areas by setting assessed value to $5/acre and limiting improvements to 33.3% of fair value.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentTax incentives for land preserved under natural areas act encourage conservation by devaluing protected land, reducing development pressure on conservation areas.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Parks & Recreation

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in committee · Illinois · House Sep 9, 2025

HB 1547: POWERING IL BY COAL

Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Extends deadlines for reduced or zero carbon dioxide emissions by 10 years for certain EGUs and large greenhouse gas-emitting units.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyBill extends emissions deadlines for coal-dependent power plants, weakening clean energy transition and favoring fossil fuels over renewables.90% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentExtends emissions deadlines for coal plants, delaying climate action and weakening environmental protections by allowing prolonged high emissions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Coal Climate Change

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in committee · Illinois · House Jan 9, 2025

HB 1163: COUNTIES CD-SOLAR&WIND ENERGY

Amends the Counties Code. Provides that a commercial wind energy facility owner or solar energy facility owner must file a land reclamation plan and a recycling plan with the Department of Agriculture prior to the required public hearing on the siting of a facility. Provides that the land reclamation plan must outline how the property on which a facility has been constructed will be returned to the state the property existed prior to the construction of the facility upon removal of the facility. Provides that the recycling plan must outline how the material used to construct the facility will be recycled. Provides that a commercial solar energy facility may not be sited on property where the property's soil's crop productivity index is greater than 110. Effective immediately.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyRequires land reclamation/recycling plans for solar/wind facilities, enabling responsible renewable energy development and environmental protection.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires land reclamation and recycling plans for solar/wind facilities, ensuring environmental restoration post-construction and promoting responsible renewable energy development.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Solar Wind Recycling

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in committee · Illinois · House Mar 21, 2025

HB 3474: INC TX-COVER CROPS

HB 3474 creates an Illinois income tax credit equal to the cost of planting cover crops for individual taxpayers. It directly affects Illinois farmers and landowners who grow cover crops (plants like grasses, legumes, or wheat grown to protect soil, not for harvest). The credit applies to taxable years beginning January 1, 2026, and can be carried forward for up to five years if it exceeds the current tax liability. The bill does not change tax rates but provides a direct financial incentive for adopting cover crop practices.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates income tax credit for cover crop costs, reducing taxable liability for farmers. Direct financial incentive aligns with tax relief for targeted taxpayers, advancing fiscal support for agricultural practices.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentProvides tax credit for cover crops, a soil conservation practice that reduces erosion and improves soil health, directly supporting environmental protection.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits

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in committee · Illinois · House Mar 21, 2025

HB 2745: NITROGEN REDUCTION INCENTIVE

Creates the Nitrogen Reduction Program Act. Provides that, subject to appropriation, the Department of Agriculture shall, in consultation with the Department of Natural Resources and soil and water conservation districts in the State, develop a nitrogen reduction incentive program by January 1, 2026 for the purpose of addressing water quality issues. Provides that the program will include a per-acre payment rate of not less than $5 per acre. Provides that crop management records collected from farmers shall be considered confidential. Makes findings. Defines terms. Effective immediately.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill mandates appropriations for nitrogen reduction program with $5/acre payments, directly funding environmental initiative through state budget allocation.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill creates nitrogen reduction program with $5/acre incentives to address water quality pollution, directly advancing environmental protection through pollution control and conservation funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Water Quality

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