FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, November 9, 2022
Contact: Hannah Lee Flath, hannahlee.flath@sierraclub.org, 860-634-0225
Illinois – Yesterday, Illinoisans were victorious in electing environmental champions to serve from the county level to Congress, all across the state. Despite recent attacks on our democracy, environment, and civil rights from every level of government, and regardless of eleventh-hour attempts from greedy corporations to buy our elections, Illinoisans fought back through the power of their vote. Undeterred by these attacks, voters made it clear at the polls that they want pro-choice, pro-equality, and pro-environmental justice champions to represent them in public office.
The Sierra Club Illinois Chapter PAC endorsed candidates up and down the ballot who will fight for Illinois families and their right to clean air, clean water, and equitable communities. Through our voter contact program, Sierra Club members organized their neighbors and communities to empower voters to cast their ballots in favor of climate champions. As a result of these grassroots efforts, at least 112 of the 130+ environmental champions endorsed by the Sierra Club Illinois Chapter PAC won their respective elections, with a few races still too close to call. Sierra Club’s full list of midterm election endorsements, including the Cook County Forest Preserve referendum and the Workers’ Rights Amendment, can be found here.
Sierra Club Illinois Deputy Director Dominique Salice released the following statement in response to the Election Night results:
“The victories on Election Night make it clear that voters across Illinois are proud of the progress we have made to protect our environment and move our state toward a renewable energy future, and want to see that work continue. Voters overwhelmingly supported climate champions like Governor JB Pritzker who helped pass the landmark Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA) last year, and are committed to ensuring the equitable implementation of this nation-leading legislation. As we work together to make sure Illinois’ renewable energy future is bright, the policymakers elected up and down the ballot will ensure the voices of actual Illinoisans are amplified and that their rights to clean air, clean water, and equitable communities are protected.
“We know that grassroots organizing works—it’s how we brought climate champions over the finish line during this election. It’s also how we will ensure Illinois remains a beacon of democracy and social justice amidst an increasingly challenging climate in our nation. Thanks to the voters who elected pro-choice, pro-equality, and pro-environmental justice champions last night, Illinois has the opportunity to set an example for the nation. We can and will put safeguards in place to protect our rights at the state and local levels, so that bad actors at the federal level cannot influence our elections, nor can they strip Illinoisans of our liberties.
“Sierra Club celebrates the passage of the Vote Yes Forest Preserves ballot referendum. Voters showed once again that they support measures that protect clean air, clean water, and wildlife. Sierra Club’s mission is to enjoy, explore, and protect the planet, and the Cook County Forest Preserves provide space for everyone to do just that.
“Sierra Club is also thrilled to congratulate the labor movement on the historic passage of the Workers’ Rights Amendment. We are proud to support our labor partners, and will continue to work in solidarity to ensure Illinois is a leader on both environmental policy and workers’ rights.”