In October, the General Assembly passed the Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability (CRGA) Act and the Northern Illinois Transit Authority (NITA) Act, marking “the biggest 24 hours of climate action in Illinois history,” commented Jen Walling, CEO of the Illinois Environmental Council.

“The CRGA Act is the biggest state investment in clean energy since the Trump administration rolled back the Inflation Reduction Act, and provides consumers with critical tools to save money on their utility bills, Walling said. “The NITA Act reforms and invests $1.5 billion in public transit, which will help mitigate air and climate pollution across the region.”

There was opposition, Walling said, pointing to fossil-fuel interests that in May helped block two bills that would accelerate Illinois’ clean energy goals and transform public transit across the state.

However, she added, “These victories are the result of a power we like even more than solar power: people power.”