Illinois Congressman & Environment Groups Urge Congress to Protect Great Lakes 7/01/2008

With families across the region bound for Great Lakes beaches this fourth of July weekend, Chicago Congressman Dan Lipinski joined environmental groups at the Shedd Aquarium on Lake Michigan to urge Congress to protect the Great Lakes by passing the Clean Water Restoration Act.

Building an Energy-Efficient America: Zero Energy Buildings and High Efficiency Buildings 7/01/2008

Almost half of the energy we use -- 10 percent of the energy in the world -- powers U.S. buildings. But homes and businesses exist that use a fraction of the energy of typical buildings. This paper outlines the remarkable gains available through improved building design, more efficient lighting systems, new technologies for space conditioning, minor behavioral modifications, and other ways to increase the energy efficiency of our buildings.

Poll: Illinoisans Strongly Support Clean Cars 5/27/2008

In a new statewide poll, a remarkable 89% of people surveyed said they support or strongly support the idea of paying $1,000 more for a new car at the time of purchase if they can recoup those costs in gas savings within two years.

Global Warming Shouldn't be a Partisan Issue 6/09/2008

As your June 3 editorial noted, this week the U.S. Senate was scheduled to debate the Lieberman-Warner Climate Security Act, which addresses the most daunting environmental problem of our age: global warming ("A chance to clear the air).

Energy Efficiency Could Bolster Economy 3/19/2008

With energy prices rising, the economy slowing and worries about global warming growing, an environmental advocacy group says increasing energy efficiency in buildings and homes could help with all three problems.

Toy Safety Back in National Spotlight 3/16/2008

Heightened concerns about toys helped win approval of a "toxic toy" law in California, which last October became the first state to ban phthalates, softening agents found in vinyl products that have been linked to reproductive problems in many animal tests and a few human studies.