SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Environmental Council, a 39-year-old organization that serves as the voice of the environmental community in the state capital, has named State Senator Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) a “100% Environmental Champion” in 2014.

“Don Harmon is a leader for the environment in Springfield,” said IEC Executive Director Jen Walling.

Harmon voted in support of every piece of legislation supported by the council.

“I want to thank the members of the Illinois Environmental Council for everything that they do,” Harmon said. “We only have one Planet Earth. We should do everything we can to make sure it’s still here, healthy and vibrant, for generations to come.”  

He also opened up a dialogue about updating Illinois’ renewable energy standards. Though this important legislative fix is still under negotiation, Harmon was able to secure a $30 million investment in solar energy for the upcoming year.

The 2014 Environmental Scorecard included eight individual legislative measures.  Bills on the 2014 Environmental Scorecard include:

-    New rules for farmers markets to support local farmers and local food (HB5657)
-    An authorization for the procurement of up to $30 million in solar power by the Illinois Power Agency (HB2427)
-    New protections for cougars, bears and wolves (SB3049)
-    A ban on microbeads in personal care products to protect the Great Lakes – the first such ban in the world (SB2727)
-    A study on urban flooding by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (SB2966)
-    An expansion of the clean water initiative to fund loans for green stormwater infrastructure and pollution prevention projects (SB2780)

The council is a coalition organization. Its board is made up of representatives of well-recognized environmental groups like the Sierra Club and the Environmental Law and Policy Center.