To: Interested Parties
From: Jennessa Agnew, National Field Director, LCV
Date: October 14, 2021
Re: Illinoisans share why they want climate action NOW

We are in the midst of one of the biggest pushes for climate action in our nation’s history as members of Congress work to finalize the Build Back Better Act. President Biden, House Speaker Pelosi, and Senate Majority Leader Schumer have made it clear that the bipartisan infrastructure framework must move in tandem with the Build Back Better Act with a new deadline of October 31st. From the ‘code red’ IPCC report, to devastating climate change-fueled hurricanes and tropical storms, scorching heat waves, drought, wildfires, and other extreme weather events that have impacted nearly 1 in 3 people in America just this summer, voters have had enough and it has never been more urgent for Congress to act on climate. Since launching in late June, LCV’s field program has been on the ground in Illinois and across the country, knocking on over 260,000 doors, and nearly 13,000 households and 9,000 businesses are displaying “Climate Action Now” signs in their neighborhoods. 

Voters throughout Illinois’ 14th congressional district have shared their concerns about extreme weather, climate injustice, and the overall health of the planet and they are stepping up by calling their representatives and demanding they take climate action now. 

• St. Charles, IL: Sue, a long-time environmental activist, believes that the previous administration has set the country back decades and rolled back progress made towards conservation and eliminating toxic emissions. She hopes the Build Back Better Act is passed to help us “undo a lot of damage.” 

• Naperville, IL: Tiffany believes that climate action on a major scale is necessary for progress and that Congress has a responsibility to the people in this country to provide the scaffolding and infrastructure to set us up globally for success in the fight against the climate crisis.

• Geneva, IL: The manager of a deli, Pat, thinks that that climate crisis is a matter of fact, and should be addressed, not debated, or viewed as controversial, which is why he has proudly displayed Climate Action Now placards throughout his business.

• Batavia, IL: Byron, the owner of a popular BBQ restaurant, has seen Climate Action Now signs all across town and was thrilled to find out he could display one too because he wants to make a difference.