Illinois Climate Action Pushes Forward as Gas Prices Skyrocket
If you're getting frustrated at the price you're paying at the pump or with Trump's destructive environmental policies, we have some ways you can push back and get connected at a local level.
In This Issue
May Events
May 23: Crest Hill Community Climate Chat
May 30: Welles Park EcoFest
Action Center
Thank You Earth Month Donors!
Online Petition: Climate Safe Pensions
Online Petition: Utility Transparency Act
Climate News
Growing Concerns as Atlantic Currents Weaken
How Climate Change Makes Your Allergies Worse
Trump’s EPA Seeks Looser Construction Rules for Gas Plants, Data Centers and Factories
350 News
Climate Action Hero Awards 2026
One Earth Film Festival 2026
Main Articles
Big Oil Thrives While Americans Struggle
Climate Art is Growing in Chicago
May Events
Crest Hill Community Climate Chat
Saturday, May 23, from 1:00pm to 3:00pm
Crest Hill Library, 20670 City Center Blvd, Crest Hill, IL 60403
Join us for a small gathering focused on education and engagement. Don’t miss a special presentation from our Board Vice-President, Rich Foss, who will break down the urgency of the climate crisis and what we can do about it.
Welles Park EcoFest
Saturday, May 30, 10:00am - 2:00pm
Welles Park
via Ecofest 2026: “EcoFest is our annual, free environmental festival where we come together to take action, reduce waste and celebrate our planet. Join 47th Ward Alderman Matt Martin for a fun, laid-back day at Welles Park on Saturday, May 30 at 10am! Spend the day exploring hands-on gardening activities, connecting with local environmental groups, and picking up simple ways to reduce waste and save energy at home.”
350 Chicago will be at the EcoFest collecting postcards to support our Climate Safe Pensions Divestment campaign and our Utility Transparency Act campaign. Whether you’re brand new to our group or already involved, these events are a great way to meet like-minded people, learn something new, and take action in a hopeful, community-driven space. We’d love to see you there!
Action Center
Thank You Earth Month Donors!
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who donated during our Earth Month fundraiser. Your support truly makes this work possible.
Your gift helps power our efforts to push Illinois pension funds to divest from fossil fuels, advance clean energy across the state, and hold investor-owned utilities accountable for lobbying practices that raise costs and slow the transition to a fully clean energy economy.
Want to keep the momentum going? Make every month Earth Month by becoming a climate sustainer.
Online Petition: Climate Safe Pensions
Investments in fossil fuels are driving climate change, and they are becoming increasingly risky financial liabilities as well. On behalf of the Climate Safe Pensions Illinois coalition, we are asking Illinois legislators to support the Fossil Fuel Divestment Act and protect our pensions!
Lean more and sign: Climate Safe Pensions Petition!
Online Petition: Utility Transparency Act
Over the years, utilities have made it acceptable to recover some of their costs from ratepayers that we believe should never be passed onto ratepayers, such as their political lobbying efforts. We are asking our legislators to support the Utility Transparency Act and protect Illinois ratepayers.
Learn more and sign: Utility Transparency Petition!
Climate News
Growing Concerns as Atlantic Currents Weaken
The Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation, or AMOC, is a system of ocean currents that moves warm water from the gulf to the northern Atlantic.
A recent study took real data on ocean temperature, salinity and velocity and compared it to existing climate models. Unfortunately, it found that most climate models are actually behind: the AMOC is weakening far more quickly than the models predicted. If the AMOC continues to decline, it will eventually shut down completely, with catastrophic effects.
Global warming disrupts the delicate balance of the AMOC, which is why it’s crucial to mitigate this issue before it’s too late.
“The stakes are incredibly high; an AMOC collapse, which last happened roughly 12,000 years ago, would cause chaos. It would push Europe into a winter deep freeze, accelerate sea level rise along the East Coast of the US and drive prolonged droughts across a swath of Africa.” via CNN - A vital system of Atlantic Ocean currents is weakening and closer to collapse than thought, new studies find
How Climate Change Makes Your Allergies Worse
via Inside Climate News: “As pollen season gets longer and more severe, allergies can compound with other climate health hazards to cause serious harm.”
Read more here.
Trump’s EPA Seeks Looser Construction Rules for Gas Plants, Data Centers and Factories
via Inside Climate News: “Changes would allow companies to begin more construction before an air permit is issued—ramping up the pressure for permit approval.”
Read more here.
350 News
Climate Action Hero Awards 2026
350 Chicago members came together on Thursday, April 16th to celebrate local climate leadership at the Climate Action Hero Awards, an evening dedicated to honoring the people driving real change in our community.
We’re especially proud to share that our Executive Director, Larry Coble, was nominated in the Climate Champions category! Recognition like this is a powerful reminder that climate work is being seen, and organizations like 350 Chicago are on the ground making a difference.
"The Climate Museum put on a fantastic event and I was honored to be nominated with such an inspiring group of activists, educators, and industry leaders. Looking forward to next year!” - Larry Coble, Executive Director, 350 Chicago
One Earth Film Festival 2026
350 Chicago was proud to take part in this year’s One Earth Film Festival, joining a community of climate advocates and neighbors committed to a more sustainable future.
350 Chicago Executive Director Larry Coble had the opportunity to speak on a panel (pictured above) following a screening of Chasing Time and Planet Walker at Park Ridge Community Church.
Our team also engaged with attendees throughout the event, sharing updates on our Fossil Fuel Divestment Campaign, the Climate Safe Pensions Illinois Coalition, and our Utility Lobbying Reform efforts. Community members stopped by to learn more, ask questions, and take action by signing postcards in support of these critical initiatives.
Big Oil Thrives While Americans Struggle
by Zack Gilbert
Oil and gas companies posted massive profits in Q1 2026 as prices surged to their highest levels in years.
That spike is being fueled in part by promises from Donald Trump to expand oil development, roll back environmental protections, and sideline clean energy. With fewer alternatives in the market, fossil fuel companies are free to keep prices high, driving up the cost of travel, shipping, and everyday essentials.
This moment makes one thing clear: accelerating the transition to clean, homegrown energy isn’t just about the climate, it’s about affordability, stability, and putting power back in the hands of everyday people.
“Trump has fulfilled his promise to his billionaire donors, and broken those to hardworking families, who continue to fall further behind.” via Climate Power - MEMO: Big Oil Profits Soar While Americans Pay the Price
With gas prices skyrocketing -- in Illinois reaching up to $5 a gallon -- it’s clear that Trump is uninterested in helping everyday Americans, despite his campaign promises. The only beneficiaries of his dirty energy policies are his billionaire friends and donors who are lining their pockets at the expense of Americans, and our planet.
Climate Art is Growing in Chicago
by Abby Schwartz
Last month I wrote a review of two climate themed art exhibits in London. I hoped that we would start seeing more compelling climate art around Chicago. On a recent visit to the Hyde Park Art Center I found just that in the form of Alison Ruttan’s The Paradox of Inaction.
Like the exhibits I talked about last month, this exhibit focuses on the devastation of home. A large number of ceramic replicas of roofs have been laid out on the floor. They are eye-catching and straightforwardly pretty. But the longer you spend with them the more ominous they start to feel. The uniqueness of each roof prompts the thought that under each is a different family devastated by this flood.
In addition, the gallery walls have been painted to look like they are water damaged from flooding. I think this is an especially clever and visceral touch. The exhibit is free to visit and runs until July 12th. Make sure to visit the second floor balcony to view the complete exhibit and see the main sculpture from above.
In addition to this exhibit, climate related art seems to be a growing area of focus in Chicago. Nowhere collective hosts a variety of community events and art markets focused around reusing materials. Eco.logic is putting on an art contest and gallery display (submissions due June 12th, art show starting June 22nd) for art made with recycled materials and/or that conveys an environmental message. Both of these organizations combine art and activism and have hosted 350 Chicago at their events.