If you’ve seen the documentary “Gasland”, or read articles about the mining of sandstone next to Illinois’ Starved Rock State Park, or heard about the potential cause of the Youngstown, OH earthquakes, then you’ve probably come across the word “fracking” a fair bit these past few months. more

We hope that you have already read our October 10 Faith-In-Action Alert and signed our faith petition to President Obama, asking him to deny the Keystone XL Pipeline construction permit. If not, we’re asking you to sign it now! more

A little over a year ago, I wrote an article called “Coming Clean” about our work with the Clean Power Coalition to shut-down or clean-up two coal-fired power plants in Chicago. more

It’s not every day that one has the opportunity to celebrate the signing of a bill with the Governor himself; and it’s especially not every day that the bill signing is held at an urban nature center complete with goats, geese, Shetland ponies, and a butterfly sanctuary. more

Staff and board members of PCG attended a press conference last week, calling for an increase to the minimum wage in Illinois. more

Rev. Phil Blackwell, pastor of First United Methodist Church at the Chicago Temple and one of PCG’s Board Chairs, spoke on a panel of individuals for and against the recent passage of the bill to expand gaming in Illinois. more

As we noted in our last legislative update, we’re about to start the “second half” of the legislative session in Illinois. Given that this is shaping up to be yet another difficult year—with cuts to vital human services looming, and divisiveness between the parties on major budget issues—we feel it is important to take a moment to celebrate the good things that are happening… more

Over 100 advocates attended the day, and every legislator in the General Assembly was contacted on important energy efficiency, renewable energy, and clean water legislation. more

PCG’s commitment to the environment has always required us to care for God’s creation—and to help the most vulnerable among us, those who have contributed the least to the problem, but stand to suffer the most. more

…when the 96th General Assembly adjourned on January 11th, they left one crucial bill on the table. The comprehensive plan to achieve fiscal stability had included not only new revenue but also the issuing of debt restructuring bonds, so that the state could pay back the billions of dollars it owes to agencies, hospitals, schools, and businesses. In fact, the tax increase legislation specifically designated a portion of the new revenue to go towards the paying back the debt-restructuring bond. Unfortunately, the House failed to pass the bill and thus, the Senate never even got a chance to consider it. more