Will County Gazette

The Illinois Environmental Council (IEC) awarded state Rep. Grant Wehrli (R-Naperville) its "100% Environmental Voting Record Award" for 2018.

Wehrli is one of more than 80 lawmakers feted by IEC, which annually rates each state legislator according to their votes on issues the organization views as impacting the environment.

“This year, we are pleased to award a record number of 100% scores, a development reflecting the fact that legislators increasingly ask IEC’s lobbyists if bills will be considered on the scorecard before deciding their votes,” IEC executive director Jennifer Walling said in a press release.

Walling said she hopes even more can be done to protect the environment.

 “While breaking this record is a positive development, it’s tempered by the fact that many of the environmental community’s priority bills did not get a vote this session, she added. “For example, an important bill to stop federal rollbacks of Illinois’ environmental laws passed the Illinois Senate, but did not make it out of the House Environment Committee. Unfortunately this was the case for many of our bills in House Environment.”

Walling also pointed to Gov. Bruce Rauner’s opposition to such measures as increased regulation of livestock and required replacement of all lead service lines. With Rauner set to leave office early next year, she said, IEC plans to again pursue the implementation of both measures.

“Regardless of who is in the governor’s mansion, IEC will continue to pursue each of these policies,” she added. “With an unprecedented number of retirements in the General Assembly, we hope the 2018 Environmental Scorecard will serve to recognize the legislators who have led but are leaving, and inspire a new class of leaders. At IEC, we look forward to working with all legislators in the coming years on the policies enumerated above, as well as curbing emissions that contribute to climate change—particularly in frontline communities—reduce nutrient pollution in our waterways, increase preserved natural lands and much more.”