Richard Chew is joined by Jen Walling, executive director of the Illinois Environmental Council (IEC).

Walling discussed the severe economic and environmental impacts of the recently passed Republican budget reconciliation law. The bill, she said, could cost Illinois $16 billion in investment and 52,000 jobs. "It's going to cost jobs across the spectrum, and I am so mad," Walling said. "This is also a bill that's going to contribute millions of tons of carbon emissions to climate change, and it's going to put fossil fuels in the ground or get them powering our energy more often, in a really horrific way."

Walling emphasized the importance of state elections and legislative action, highlighting the Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act, which aims to strengthen Illinois' power grid, lower power bills and protect consumers from price spikes. She also talked about IEC's involvement in the Conservation Voter Movement, a partnership of more than 30 states. "We collaborate and we compete for the best outcomes for the environment," Walling said. 

Catch "Chew's Views with Richard Chew” weekdays from 6:00 to 8:00 a.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/chews-views).

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