The U.S. Supreme Court gutted the Clean Water Act in 2023, stripping protections from wetlands across the country. Now, the Trump administration’s EPA is making it worse. A proposed federal rule released in November 2025 would further narrow federal jurisdiction, leaving even more of Illinois’ remaining wetlands without legal protection.
Illinois has already lost almost 90% of its historic wetlands. Without action at the state level, more will disappear—and with them, the flood protection, water filtration, and wildlife habitat they provide.
You can help. Tell your state legislators to support HB 3596/SB 2401, the Illinois Wetlands Protection Act. Urge them to become cosponsors and champions for wetlands in Illinois!
If you’ve taken action on this bill before, thank you! But we need your voice again as we push for cosponsors during this legislative session.
WHY PROTECTING OUR WETLANDS MATTERS
The federal government is walking away from wetland protections, and Illinois has no comprehensive state program to fill the gap. That makes state legislation not just important, but urgent.
Wetlands are one of Illinois’ greatest natural assets. They act as giant sponges, soaking up excess rainwater and preventing communities from flooding. A single acre of wetland can store 1 million to 1.5 million gallons of floodwater—saving Illinois communities hundreds of millions of dollars in flood damage annually. They filter out pollution that would otherwise contaminate streams and drinking water sources. As natural carbon sinks, wetlands help fight climate change. And more than a third of North American bird species depend on wetlands for survival.
Wetlands are a natural solution to many problems. We can’t afford to keep losing them.
