Some new initiatives highlight the last year and we have some amazing “Firsts” for 2014. This is just a sampling of events and efforts by Heart of Illinois Sierra Group. If you see an issue or activity that interests you, please email us at hoi@illinois.sierraclub.org or phone any of our board members to let us know your interests. We need your help and continued support for our work. Here is a short list of some amazing “Firsts” that HOI accomplished in the last year: 

Clockwise from top left: 1) Wendy Marquis talks to students about the harmful effects of coal ash during the Clean Water Celebration at the Peoria Civic Center on April 28. 2) Bob Jorgensen helps a young girl look through a microscope in the drop-in science class during "Monarch Butterflies and Other Pollinators Day" on May 24. 3) Brenda Dilts speaks on February 28 in front of the True Cost of Coal narrative poster created by the Beehive Collective.

Clean Air - HOI volunteers were part of the first legal challenge on air pollution from the Dynegy Edwards power plant. A delegation of HOI volunteers spoke in Springfield at the Illinois Pollution Control Board hearing on power plant coal ash regulations.

Clean Energy - Central Illinois Healthy Community Alliance (CIHCA) HOI volunteers were part of first and on-going labor and environmental forums chaired by Senator Dave Koehler and Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth. The HOI Group raised unpaid bond issues resulting in the Industry coal strip permit 16 renewal being denied by IDNR. In February, the HOI Group hosted the Beehive Art Cooperative’s dramatic art presentation on the true costs of coal.

Clean Water - At a federal EPA hearing, HOI volunteers supported protection of the Mahomet Aquifer from Peoria Disposal Company’s chemical waste dump at Clinton. Volunteers displayed the impact of toxic coal ash in our water on Earth Day and at the Peoria Clean Water Celebration.

Habitat Protection - The Peoria Riverfront Museum and the HOI Sierra Group hosted “Monarch Butterflies and other Pollinators Day” May 24th at the Riverfront Museum. Table displays from the HOI Group and other organizations offered close looks at honeybee keeping, moths, monarchs and other butterflies, insects, hummingbirds and native bees. HOI volunteers participated in a reduced roadside mowing program in Peoria County for enhancing native plants.