Here’s the Dirt

It’s that time of year—lobby season in Springfield! It’s a perfect chance to go to the state capitol and talk directly to legislators about why environmental issues matter. Coming up first is Lobby Day for Soil Health on March 6.

Soil health is not only vitally important for growing lots of good food, it’s also a key factor that influences water quality, carbon sequestration, and keeping a robust ecosystem free of problems like algal blooms. Healthy soil buffers harmful substances to break down and detoxify them before they contaminate water.

In December 2023, the State of Illinois released a report revealing that efforts to keep certain substances out of Illinois’s waterways have fallen short of target. Two major sources of these substances are municipal sewage treatment plants and urban runoff stormwater.

Our partner, the Illinois Environmental Council (IEC), is organizing the lobby day and will host optional prep sessions on February 22 at noon or on February 29 at 6 pm. Or you can choose to go in a quieter manner without going to the info sessions and be another concerned voter in the room when lobbying the legislators. Better numbers always help!

Springfield is a three-hour train ride away, and the trip from the station to the capitol is an eight-minute walk. IEC is also organizing buses from the suburbs to Springfield. Register to join us on March 6 or learn more about how a typical lobby day runs.

Email environment@lwvchicago.org with questions or if you want to arrange a carpool.