In 2023, the Respiratory Health Association supported the launch of the RESCUE Illinois Schools Program. RESCUE, which stands for Resources for Every School Confronting Unexpected Emergencies, has served over 5,000 children experiencing asthma emergencies while at school since 2023.  Meeting its goals of keeping students in school and out of hospitals, eighty percent of these students were able to return to class following treatment with RESCUE resources. While 17 states have laws allowing schools to provide “undesignated” asthma medications during emergencies, Illinois is the first state to fund such an effort.

The state has funded the program since its 2023 inception. However, in the proposed state budget for the upcoming year, the state has cut all funding for RESCUE. Please fill out the letter below to send to your elected officials and let them know how important this program is for Illinois schoolchildren.

Big Tech corporations are racing to stake out and  build artificial intelligence (AI) data centers across Illinois as fast as possible and they’re ignoring the concerns of local communities and snapping up dangerously large amounts of energy and water without paying their fair share. These facilities are already increasing home utility bills, polluting our air, threatening water supplies, and increasing the use of fossil fuel power plants–and many more are coming. One very large data center proposed near Joliet would use more electricity than a million homes!

Illinoisans deserve good neighbors who pay their fair share and contribute more to our communities than they take. The POWER Act (SB4016/HB5513) will drive a competitive “race to the top” for responsible data centers with nation-leading guardrails that protect our air, water, energy, and frontline communities as well as residents' wallets. Urge your legislators in the Illinois General Assembly to co-sponsor and vote “yes” on the POWER Act.

Christopher David Redding was a student leader, three-sport athlete, and scholar who tragically passed away at age 18 due to exercise-induced asthma. To honor his memory and protect all future athletes and children, Respiratory Health Association and the Christopher D. Redding Youth Asthma Foundation have introduced HB4247. 

SB2837(as amended) would add language to the already established RESCUE Illinois Schools Program that encourages rescue inhalers to be accessible to students, including practice fields and gyms. The legislation also allows coaches and athletic trainers to receive training for asthma attacks.

Fill out your information below to tell your legislators to support and cosponsor HB4247.

Illinois isn’t on track to meet its goal of getting a million clean, zero-emission electric vehicles on the road by 2030 and our air doesn’t meet health standards. There are many barriers that have hindered progress towards increasing EVs, and the CETIA aims to eliminate certain challenges that now face EV drivers to make it easier, more convenient and less costly to drive electric. First, Illinois EV rebate programs are not offering incentives larger enough to incentivize middle- and low-income customers to move towards purchasing an EV when they look for a new or used vehicle. Secondly, EV drivers tend to conveniently charge their vehicles overnight where they live at low cost, but that is difficult for residents of multifamily housing that might be renters or condo owners and existing EV right-to-charge law in Illinois is not strong enough to protect those residents ability to charge their EV at home. Third the Illinois tollway oases that provide for convenient refueling of gasoline and diesel vehicles does not offer the same convenience of fast charging for electric vehicles. In addition to addressing these challenges, the bill also ensures that governments buying EVs are buying from companies that aren’t exploiting or endangering their workers, helping raise workers protections in the EV industry.

Radon, a colorless, odorless radioactive gas is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States. These bills would require radon testing in every occupied school by 2029 and testing every 5 years. Radon screening tests can be conducted only with a license. If mitigation is not needed, the average cost is $25 a year per building. Cost of mitigation is a one-time cost of less than $20,000, less than 0.5% of an average school budget.

Please fill out the letter below to tell your elected officials you want them to support SB2438/HB3691 and protect the children and teaching staff of Illinois!

Pollution from the growing warehousing industry is putting Illinois communities in danger every day—fueling thousands of asthma cases, deadly heart and lung diseases, and costing families billions in financial & health burdens. Warehouses are pollution hot spots that attract diesel trucks that emit toxic tailpipe pollution into our air and are disproportionately located in communities that are already overburdened with air pollution and environmental hazards. Unfortunately, this is the situation here and now as the U.S. EPA just rolled back federal tailpipe pollution standards for large diesel trucks which will increase pollution in coming years. 

The Warehouse Pollution Reduction Act (SB 3732/HB 5600) is a common-sense solution that will reduce dangerous air pollution associated with warehouse operations; Establish pollution permit conditions for new, modified, and existing warehouses; and increase transparency and community participation in warehouse permitting. Please urge your state legislators to protect our air, our children, and our futures while securing climate and health justice for all Illinois communities by supporting the Warehouse Pollution Reduction Act!

Two-thirds of Illinois residents live in areas that don't meet minimal federal air quality standards. In addition to not enforcing pollution laws, forcing old dirty coal plants to continue operating, and trying to gut clean air standards,  this year the federal EPA also rolled back pollution limits for new vehicles and allowed more tailpipe pollution going forward.

This proposed law would modernize Illinois' diesel truck emission testing program established a quarter century ago by setting tighter pollution limits for newer trucks and requiring OBD testing, which ensures that all parts of a truck's emission control system are present and operating properly. It also expands testing to medium-sized diesel trucks now exempt from testing.

Location reporting every two years for government trucks, and private fleets of more than 5 trucks, will allow proactive planning and prioritization of electric truck charging public investment needs. Putting charging equipment in the right place will encourage zero-emission truck use and help clean your air.