Illinois (November 6, 2025) – Illinois state lawmakers took a step to deliver on their commitment to a clean energy future—critical for the health of birds and people—with last week’s passage of the Clean, Reliable Grid Affordability Act, which is now headed to Governor Pritzker’s desk for his signature.  

 Four years ago, the Illinois legislature passed the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA), landmark climate legislation that set Illinois on the path to a 100 percent clean energy future by 2050. 

 “The Clean, Reliable Grid Affordability Act will help make urgently needed updates to our electric grid, to support renewable energy development to help reach Illinois’ climate goals,” said Adam Forrer, Climate Policy Director for Audubon Great Lakes. “The rapid and responsible expansion of renewable energy is needed to protect birds from climate change.”  

 The system that delivers electricity to our cities and homes—the electric grid—is outdated and increasingly unreliable. More transmission lines (the large power lines that carry electricity over long distances) and updates to existing transmission lines are needed to deliver renewable energy where it needs to go.   

 The Clean, Reliable Grid Affordability Act will encourage the use of grid enhancing technologies, a suite of tools that help existing transmission lines carry more electricity. While some new transmission lines will still be needed, grid-enhancing technologies allow existing lines to be more efficient, avoiding some of the costs and environmental impacts associated with building new lines. 

Audubon scientists found that climate change is one of the biggest threats to birds, with two-thirds of North American bird species at risk of extinction due to our warming planet. Addressing climate change is urgently needed to protect birds like the Bobolink—a species that could be forced out of southern Illinois grasslands if warming is left unchecked.  

 Audubon members sent more than 1,300 messages to their state lawmakers in support of The Clean, Reliable Grid Affordability Act.  

 “We thank Audubon members for their tireless advocacy to protect birds, and the Illinois General Assembly for making important progress towards climate goals, to ensure a safer future for wildlife and communities across Illinois,” said Forrer.  

About Audubon Great Lakes   
Audubon Great Lakes is a regional office of Audubon, learn more at gl.audubon.org and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.       
The National Audubon Society is a leading nonprofit conservation organization with 120 years of science-based, community-driven impact, dedicated to protecting birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow. Birds are powerful indicators of our planet’s health, acting as sentinels that warn us of environmental change and inspire action. Audubon works across the Western Hemisphere, driven by the understanding that what is good for birds is good for the planet. Through a collaborative, bipartisan approach across habitats, borders, and the political spectrum, Audubon drives meaningful and lasting conservation outcomes. With 800 staff and over 1.9 million supporters, Audubon is a dynamic and ever-growing force committed to ensuring a better planet for both birds and people for generations to come. Learn more at www.audubon.org and on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @audubonsociety