"The public policy of the State and the duty of each person is to provide and maintain a healthful environment for the benefit of this and future generations."
-Illinois Constitution, Article XI
Governor Quinn's Commitment to Environmental Protection 2009 Highlights:
- Signed HB 1132 into law, securing $15 million for Illinois from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (February 5, 2009)
- Joined with the University of Illinois community to celebrate signing of the Sustainable University compact, in which 12 campuses committed to going green (February 18, 2009)
- Ordered Illinois Department of Natural Resources to fully reopen seven state parks (February 26, 2009)
- Saluted Gob Nob Wind turbine. New green partnership puts first wind turbine on state-owned property (April 20, 2009)
- Implemented green practices at the Executive Mansion and signed Executive Order to reduce state agencies' impact on the environment (April 22, 2009)
- Joined with Army Corps officials to announce major Riverfront Development Project in Peoria (April 22, 2009)
- Announced dredging project to build island of wildlife habitat and make Peoria lake useable for recreation (April 24, 2009)
- Signed wind power purchase agreement with the City of Springfield to support environmentally friendly energy sources to power the capital city (May 6, 2009)
- Strengthened environmental right-to-know, public notification laws (May 7, 2009)
- Signed SB 1906 into law, a renewable energy finance bill which jump starts jobs (July 29, 2009)
- Signed bills to improve environment by prohibiting dumping of unused medication (August 10, 2009)
- Announced water conservation rain barrel effort at the state fair (August 14, 2009)
- Signed HB 4021 into law to strengthen Illinois' clean water laws (August 23, 2009)
- Endorsed 25 x 25 vision that encourages greater use of renewable alternatives, with a goal of producing 25 percent of Illinois' energy from renewable resources such as biofuels, wind, solar, and hydro by the year 2025 (September 1, 2009)
- Celebrated 200th E85 station opening in Illinois to support flex-fuel vehicles and creation of green jobs (October 23, 2009)
- Signed legislation to support energy efficiency projets to help jump start job creation and construction (November 12, 2009)
- Announced $3 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) and Illinois Environmental Protection Agency grants and loans to make significant environmental improvements in old and ailing sewage and drainage systems in Ridgewood, near Joliet in Will County (December 12, 2009)
- Presented a Sustainability Award to the Jesse Brown VA Medical Center for the facility's significant achievements in protecting the environment and improving the state's economy through green initiatives (December 22, 2009)
- Recognized 22 Environmental Heroes for going above and beyond for the planet through their individual actions (December 28, 2009)