Illinois Archives - Great Lakes Now

Industry, Energy, Economic Development

Can replacing Illinois’ toxic lead pipes lead to a workforce boom?

by WBEZ March 30, 2026April 1, 2026

Illinois has nearly 1.5 million lead service lines. A new report estimates replacing the unsafe pipes has the potential to create 90,000 jobs.

Science, Technology, Research

A network is racing to save the Midwest’s native seeds

by WBEZ March 3, 2026March 3, 2026

Asian Carp, Chicago, Featured, Illinois, Invasive Species, Latest News, News, Region, Science, Technology, Research

Illinois one step closer to keeping invasive carp out of Great Lakes

by WBEZ October 29, 2025November 7, 2025

About Great Lakes Now, Advocacy, Authors, Budget, Chicago, Featured, Gary Wilson, Illinois, Latest News, News, Politics, Policy, Environmental Justice, Region, Water Quality and Restoration Efforts, Who We Are and What We Do

Rethinking Strategy in the Era of the Trump EPA

by Gary Wilson, Great Lakes Now August 6, 2025

About Great Lakes Now, Authors, Chicago, Detroit, Featured, Illinois, Latest News, Michigan, News, Ontario, Recreation and Tourism, Region, Sean Ericson, Toronto, Who We Are and What We Do

Why we don’t bike like the Dutch — yet

by Sean Ericson, Great Lakes Now July 30, 2025November 8, 2025

Agriculture, Chicago, Great Lakes News Collaborative, Guest Article, Illinois, Industry, Energy, Economic Development, Latest News, News, Politics, Policy, Environmental Justice, Region

This wetland fight could go to the Supreme Court

by Great Lakes Now July 15, 2025

Chicago, Climate Change, Feature-Chicago, Groundwater Contamination, Illinois, Infrastructure, Latest News, Lead, News, Region, Science, Technology, Research, Water Quality and Restoration Efforts

Chicago was supposed to warn residents about toxic lead pipes last year. Most still have no idea.

by Inside Climate News and Grist July 15, 2025December 8, 2025

Fish, Birds and Animals, Great Lakes News Collaborative, Guest Article, Illinois, Latest News, News, Region, Science, Technology, Research

A record year for Great Lakes piping plovers

by Michigan Public July 14, 2025November 8, 2025

Chicago, Drinking Water, Feature Lead, Feature-Chicago, Featured, Groundwater Contamination, Illinois, Infrastructure, Latest News, Lead, News, Region, Water Quality and Restoration Efforts

Chicago residents risk daily lead exposure from toxic pipes. Replacing them will take decades.

by Inside Climate News and Grist July 1, 2025December 8, 2025

Asian Carp, Illinois, Invasive Species, Latest News, Michigan, News, Region, Science, Technology, Research

Illinois wants to protect the Great Lakes from invasive carp. A toxic mess stands in the way.

by WBEZ May 29, 2025