United Congregations of Metro East

Lawmakers and environmental advocates raised concerns about the potential for PFAS chemicals to be burned in the Metro East.

Starting this month, the utility company said the bill for the typical Metro East customer will rise $52 a month ($626 a year) because the cost of generating it is much higher.

“The new green economy can be as exclusive and as unjust as the old one,” said the Rev. Rodrick Burton. He and others want local residents to decide how the region responds to climate change.

A nearly identical bill unanimously passed the Illinois House and Senate last year, but Gov. J.B. Pritzker vetoed it. Now environmental groups are starting the whole process over.

The law puts the state on a path to reach 100% clean energy by 2050, with the goal of zeroing out carbon emissions by 2045.

The bill by Rep. LaToya Greenwood, D-East St. Louis, advanced on Wednesday, and would prohibit disposing of any PFAS through burning.

The state doesn't have nearly enough doses to cover the 3 million people who just became eligible for the coronavirus vaccine.

Dr. Ngozie Ezike says she’s looking forward to listening to people’s concerns about taking the vaccine. The event will be streamed on Facebook Live at 6:30 p.m.

The Veolia incinerator is listed as one of eight sites authorized by the Department of Defense to dispose of PFAS firefighting foam. The United Congregations of Metro East, the Sierra Club and other environmental organizations are suing the Department of Defense to block the potential disposal pending an environmental review.