In 2018, the Evanston City Council formally adopted the Climate Action and Resilience Plan (CARP) which, among other things, establishes a community carbon neutrality goal, a zero waste goal, and a 100% renewable electricity goal.
Evanston’s Sustainability staff annual report: Evanston’s 2024 CARP Action Agenda has been presented to City Council.
In 2022, the Village of Skokie updated its Environmental Sustainability Plan, to guide municipal and community action to meet sustainability goals.
In late 2023, the Village of Skokie issued their Environmental Sustainability Plan Year 1 Update.
The Evanston Environment Board consists of up to 12 appointed volunteer members who support Evanston’s environmental goals including CARP, and develop recommendations for the City Council, other boards and commissions, and City staff. Meetings are subject to the Open Meetings Act and are open to the public. Watch the recorded video of the April 6, 2022 LWVE discussion of The Role of the Environment Board.
Climate Action Evanston (formerly Citizens Greener Evanston) works to make Evanston a more environmentally just, sustainable, and resilient community. Climate Action Evanston supports these goals through five program areas: Energy, Environmental Justice Evanston, Beyond Waste, Natural Habitat Evanston, and Edible Evanston.
Environmental Justice Evanston, a project of Climate Action Evanston, is dedicated to promoting environmental equity and highlighting environmental inequities to reduce their impact. See their website for information on supporting their efforts to ensure that the city incorporates environmental justice in ordinances, policies, and processes.
The Illinois Environmental Council (IEC) provides legislative updates and summaries related to the environment for the State of Illinois. Our members can review their “Reports and Analysis” and “Legislative Updates” to identify upcoming bills for advocacy and keep up-to-date on the status of bills that have completed the process.
The Illinois Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA), Public Act 102-0662, passed on September 15, 2021, and was signed by Governor Pritzker. The bill puts Illinois on a path to achieve 100% clean power generation by 2050, and puts the state on a path to a green energy future while protecting consumers, jobs, and promoting equitable energy policy.