Hundreds gather in Springfield to push environmental bills on wetlands, plastics and data centers - Stock Watch Index

Hundreds gather in Springfield to push environmental bills on wetlands, plastics and data centers

April 8, 2026

The Rev. Nicolette “Nic” Faison, of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, center, chants with other environmental advocates during a rally at the Illinois State Capitol on April 8, 2026. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)
Environmental advocates prepare for a rally at the Illinois State Capitol on April 8, 2026. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)
Cate Caldwell, senior policy manager at the Illinois Environmental Council, speaks at a rally at the Illinois State Capitol on April 8, 2026, where environmental justice advocates are urging state lawmakers to pass the POWER Act, Wetlands Protection Act and Polystyrene Foam Foodware Ban. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)

1 of 3

The Rev. Nicolette “Nic” Faison, of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, center, chants with other environmental advocates during a rally at the Illinois State Capitol on April 8, 2026. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)

By Christiana Freitag | cfreitag@chicagotribune.com | Chicago Tribune

PUBLISHED: April 8, 2026 at 6:00 PM CDT

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready…

On Illinois Environmental Lobby Day, hundreds gathered in Springfield to push action on three environmental bills to protect wetlands, ban single-use plastics and safeguard against energy and water strains caused by the data center boom.

Already have an account

This article is only available to subscribers

Flash Sale

Standard Digital

$1 for 1 year

Offer valid for non-subscribers only

Most Popular

Trump Tower couple alleges their intimate exchange was recorded in federal lawsuit: ‘I felt very violated’

Trump Tower couple alleges their intimate exchange was recorded in federal lawsuit: ‘I felt very violated’
TMZ ‘tipped’ Nancy Guthrie is dead after being seen in Mexico

TMZ ‘tipped’ Nancy Guthrie is dead after being seen in Mexico
Column: ‘No One Cares About Crazy People’ documentary shines a spotlight on our mental health system

Column: ‘No One Cares About Crazy People’ documentary shines a spotlight on our mental health system
US Supreme Court declines to hear challenge to Illinois’ law barring concealed carry of guns on public transit

US Supreme Court declines to hear challenge to Illinois’ law barring concealed carry of guns on public transit
Asking Eric: How do I stay engaged

Asking Eric: How do I stay engaged
Downtown office buildings emptied out by the pandemic are being scooped up and refurbished with new amenities

Downtown office buildings emptied out by the pandemic are being scooped up and refurbished with new amenities
Illinois bill would force gunmakers to redesign pistols that can be converted to automatic weapons

Illinois bill would force gunmakers to redesign pistols that can be converted to automatic weapons
Nearly two dozen help rescue horse stranded in flooded Marengo creek

Nearly two dozen help rescue horse stranded in flooded Marengo creek
Column: Institutional failure sent Angel Reese out of Chicago. Sky owner Michael Alter must break cycle — or sell.

Column: Institutional failure sent Angel Reese out of Chicago. Sky owner Michael Alter must break cycle — or sell.
Asking Eric: Children not allowed to attend wedding reception

Asking Eric: Children not allowed to attend wedding reception

Search

RECENT PRESS RELEASES

Chaevi to supply EV chargers to Canada

SWI Editorial Staff2026-04-09T01:38:15-07:00April 9, 2026|

Ethereum Up or Down

SWI Editorial Staff2026-04-09T01:32:54-07:00April 9, 2026|

Biotech VCs, used to a winning formula in drug development, face disruption

SWI Editorial Staff2026-04-09T01:30:00-07:00April 9, 2026|

Ethereum Up or Down

SWI Editorial Staff2026-04-09T01:22:57-07:00April 9, 2026|

Here’s how much bitcoin (BTC) could move on Friday’s U.S. inflation report

SWI Editorial Staff2026-04-09T01:22:29-07:00April 9, 2026|

How RealEstateAPI Built a Property Data Platform Without Venture Capital

SWI Editorial Staff2026-04-09T01:21:36-07:00April 9, 2026|

Related Post