The 2026 Legislative Session in Springfield is in full swing, which means the staff here at Prairie Rivers Network are hard at work educating decision makers on the importance and urgent need to enact statewide safeguards—from threats of data centers and herbicide drift to wetlands protections (and more). Below you will find a list of our legislative priorities for this Spring and different bills we are supporting.
Healthy communities depend on strong protections for both people and the natural infrastructure that support them. In Illinois, gaps in policy are leaving communities, children, and local ecosystems increasingly vulnerable. Prairie Rivers Network is hosting two member briefings in March to discuss legislation that could fill those gaps. Hear from our policy experts, get your questions answered, and learn the different strategies needed to keep moving the needle forward in Illinois!
- Protecting Our Water, Energy, & Ratepayers from Data Center Impacts
Friday, March 6 at 12 noon CST | Online Member Briefing
REGISTER TODAY! - Pesticide Notification & Wetlands Protections
Tuesday, March 10 at 12 noon CST | Online Member Briefing
REGISTER TODAY!
POWER Act
Protecting Our Water, Energy & Ratepayers from Data Center Impacts — SB4016 Villivalam, HB5513 Gabel
Creates protections for communities, rate payers, and the environment from the impacts of data centers. Ensures data centers pay for the costs of connecting to our electric grid and water supplies. Requires transparent reporting of water and energy usage to keep data centers accountable. Protects our air and water from data center pollution. Prevents data centers from using NDAs when negotiating with communities, and creates a community benefits fund paid for by data centers.
Register for the online member briefing Friday, March 6th at noon CST to learn more!
Pesticide Application Notification
Pesticide Notice School Bill—HB1596 Faver Dias
Requires applicators applying pesticides to 5 or more acres to notify administrators of schools, parks, and daycares located nearby. Notifications must be made no earlier than 72 hours and no later than 24 hours prior to application, helping families and caregivers reduce exposure to pesticide drift.
Register for the online member briefing Tuesday, March 10th at noon CST to learn more!
Wetlands are Climate Resilience
Wetlands Protection Act—SB2401 Ellman, HB3596 Moeller
Illinois has lost more than 90% of its original wetlands and recent federal rollbacks mean that roughly 94% of remaining wetlands are no longer protected under the federal Clean Water Act. This bill establishes a state wetlands protection and permitting program, requiring permits for dredging or filling wetlands, and strengthening oversight and enforcement to improve flood control and protect water quality and wildlife habitat.
Register for the online member briefing Tuesday, March 10th at noon CST to learn more!
Links: Sign the Petition to Gov. Pritzker
More Legislation PRN is Supporting:
Riparian Buffers — Riparian Protection and Water Quality Practices Act — SB1789 Ellman, HB2729 Moeller
Vegetative buffers along rivers and streams reduce erosion, filter polluted runoff, and improve water quality. This bill, based on successful Minnesota legislation, requires perennial vegetated buffers along rivers and drainage ditches or other conservation practices that can reduce erosion and filter runoff.
River Access — Public Access to Navigable Waters — HB1873 Yang Rohr
State and federal law recognizes public rights to navigate rivers and streams, but confusion and conflict persist. This bill clarifies public access rights under state law so paddlers, anglers, and the public can legally and safely enjoy Illinois waterways.
Water Quantity Planning — Groundwater Withdrawals — SB3162 Ellman
A critical first step towards addressing the problem of Illinois woefully outdated water use laws, directing the state to assess unsustainable aquifer depletion and develop plans for a statewide permitting program for groundwater withdrawals by 2028. PRN supports this bill and will push for additional language, including enforcement authority and penalties—ensuring accurate data to allow for better water supply management.
Because we continue to see environmental rollbacks on a federal level, taking action on a state and local level is more important than ever. In 2026, we will use our collective voice to call on the Illinois legislature to do their duty and step up to strengthen protections securing our right to a healthful environment as established in our state constitution.
