U.S. Senator Dick Durbin visits Ecology Action Center
While in town last week, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin took time to meet with a small group of nonprofit leaders at the Ecology Action Center. The discussion highlighted the growing challenges facing important programs and services in Bloomington-Normal under the current administration—and the real impacts those challenges are having on our community. Senator Durbin shared valuable insight and engaged directly with organizations working on the ground every day.
EAC is grateful to Senator Durbin for his time, attention, and continued support for critical services in Bloomington-Normal and McLean County.
Attend our first Solar Power Hour for the 2026 season to learn about the Grow Solar group purchase program. This an opportunity from the Ecology Action Center and Midwest Renewable Energy Association for you to get a reduced price on your solar installation with our vetted installer due to volume purchasing.
There is no cost to attend and no strings attached. The more local residents sign up to purchase through our Grow Solar program, the cheaper the price becomes. Learn more at https://www.growsolar.org/bn/ or register to attend at Keg Grove Thursday night at 5:30 p.m.!
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR): What it is and How it Works
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) assigns producers the responsibility for managing their products after consumers have used them. With EPR laws in place, financial and operational responsibilities for end-of-life management of products are directed to the producer of the product. Generally, this looks like producers being required to fund and/or provide services that recycle, collect, or otherwise dispose of items covered in the EPR legislation.1 When EPR laws are enacted, timelines are established and one of the first steps is to create or adopt a stewardship program and plan for how items will be collected from consumers and either recycled or disposed of.2 Some programs are done through stewardship organizations, which are typically nonprofits that are focused on managing a particular waste stream. Producers of products can fulfill EPR regulations by funding and supporting the state-approved stewardship organizations, or by establishing one themselves.1, 2 In the absence of approved stewardship organizations or manufacturer-created programs, state agencies or departments can create and oversee the program.
EPR in Practice
As of 2026, there are no federal EPR laws; instead, all EPR legislation is driven at the state level. There are currently 6 EPR laws in place in Illinois that cover: auto switches (2006), mercury thermostats (2010), electronics (2008, last amended in 2025), pharmaceuticals (2022), paint (2023), and batteries (2024). EPR laws in other states also address waste streams of printing paper, packaging, carpets, mattresses, Household Hazardous Waste (HHW), and hard to recycle materials.
Illinois’ paint stewardship and battery stewardship laws (Illinois Paint Stewardship Law and Illinois Portable and Medium-Format Battery Stewardship Act, respectively) are the most recent EPR legislations in Illinois, and have both led to local drop-offs for residents becoming available within the last 6 months.2,6 PaintCare began operation in Illinois on December 1, 2025, and focuses on paint recycling and reuse in an order to address the paint waste stream.2 Battery recycling is being handled by Battery Network, and launched in Illinois on January 1, 2026 with a similar goal to increase safe battery recycling and waste management. Both PaintCare and Battery Network are nationwide nonprofit stewardship organizations that work within their respective industries to manage waste, and they have approval to recycle these materials and oversee these programs in Illinois thanks to EPR laws.
EPR for Household Hazardous Products
In 2023, Vermont became the first U.S. state to pass an EPR law for Household Hazardous Waste (HHW). November 1, 2025 was the last day that manufacturers of any hazardous product covered in the law had to register with Vermont’s Agency of Natural Resources, who is creating and managing the collection and disposal of these items, as no stewardship organization was registered to fulfill requirements. The sale of covered products from unregistered manufacturers was prohibited the same day. The deadline to adopt a collection plan and be in full effect is July 1, 2026.3 As EPR laws continue to grow in number, household hazardous items and waste have been a popular topic, as proper management of these items is critical in ensuring a healthy environment and reducing toxins. Without proper disposal options in place, hazardous materials are often thrown away or dumped outside, both of which contaminate waterways, air, soil, and negatively impact the overall health of the surrounding area.
As always, EAC has the most up-to-date information for all your local recycling and waste disposal needs in our Recycle Coach app available online at RecycleBN.org or in your smartphone app store.
1. Sustainable Packaging Coalition. “Extended Producer Responsibility – SPC’s Guide.” Extended Producer Responsibility. GreenBlue, 2021. https://epr.sustainablepackaging.org/. 2. PaintCare. “Statewide Paint Recycling Program Debuts in Illinois.” PaintCare Inc. December 1, 2025. https://www.paintcare.org/statewide-paint-recycling-program-debuts-in-illinois/. 3. State of Vermont. “Household Hazardous Waste EPR.” Agency of Natural Resource Department of Environmental Conservation. 2026. https://dec.vermont.gov/waste-management/solid/product-stewardship/hhw-epr. 4. IL Product Stewardship Council. “Illinois Product Stewardship Council.” IL PSC. N.d. https://illinoispsc.org/. 5. The Recycling Partnership. “Extended Producer Responsibility 101.” The Recycling Partnership. N.d. https://recyclingpartnership.org/extended-producer-responsibility-101/. 6. The Battery Network. “State Recycling Laws Illinois.” The Battery Network. 2026. https://batterynetwork.org/state-recycling-laws/illinois/.
Ecology Action Center Advises Stability, Caution, and Energy Efficiency Amid Ongoing Electricity Price Volatility
Recently the Town of Normal and City of Bloomington announced a new municipal aggregation rate of $0.1276/kWh, starting June 1, 2026 and ending on May 31, 2027. Continued volatility driven by reginal energy market conditions is causing confusion and concern among residents looking for the most effective method to save on their electric bills.
The Ecology Action Center advises residents who are eligible for municipal aggregation that:
This new rate does not take affect until June 1; your bill for May will still be at the current aggregation rate of $0.1089/kWh
Ameren’s summer rate will be officially published around that same time; it is unknown whether it will be lower or higher than the new aggregation rate
Ameren’s fall rate will take affect on October 1; like the summer rate, it is unknown whether it will be lower or higher than the new aggregation rate
The Ecology Action Center is closely monitoring for the official announcement from Ameren regarding their summer rate which is expected around June 1, 2026. For now, the EAC recommends those who are still enrolled in aggregation to remain enrolled until the Ameren summer rate is made official. While residents can opt out of aggregation at any time, they can not opt back in to the program in the event that the aggregation rate is less than the Ameren rate.
Ameren’s fall rate will also be announced later in the year. While last year’s fall rate was less than the summer rate, that is never a guarantee, as Ameren’s fall rate (when usage is less than 800 kWh) has exceeded both the summer rate and the aggregation rate in 2022 and 2023.
While aggregation may appear more expensive in the short term, it provides long term stability against sudden price spikes that Ameren rates are subject to. Even if the Ameren summer rate ends up being less than the aggregation rate, Ameren’s fall rate for this year and spring rates for next year remain uncertain; it’s this uncertainty which aggregation protects against. Ultimately, residents should decide what’s more valuable for them: long term stability, or potential short-term savings. Once the Ameren summer rate is made official, the EAC will update our guidance accordingly.
The EAC also issues a strong warning regarding third-party energy suppliers, particularly those engaging in door-to-door sales. According to the Citizens Utility Board, Illinois customers have lost more than $1.8 billion to alternative suppliers since 2015. Many of these offers include hidden fees, teaser rates, or misleading terms that ultimately result in higher costs.
Keep in mind, the cheapest energy is the one you never use in the first place. Implement energy efficiency measures in your home wherever possible. If you’re unsure how efficient/inefficient your home is, you can sign up for a low-cost BNEnergyBright Energy Audit to identify any energy issues your home is facing. If your home is suitable for solar, now is a great time to consider investing in a residential system.
The EAC and the Midwest Renewable Energy Association have just restarted Grow Solar BN 2026, a group buy program to discount the cost of solar for residents in McLean County and other nearby areas. You can attend one of our information sessions (Power Hours) to see if solar is a fit for your home. These Power Hours are scheduled on the BN Green Events calendar at ecologyactioncenter.org
Please contact EAC Energy Coordinator Michael Bay at 309-454-3169 x15, or mbay@ecologyactioncenter.org with your questions or for more information.
Join us for the 23rd annual Yard Smart Garden Walk
The Ecology Action Center is holding its 23rd annual Yard Smart Garden Walk on Saturday, July 18, 2026 from 9:30 a.m.-1:30p.m. The FREE tour highlights beautiful and functional yards in our community that protect our environment, benefit wildlife, and use few or no synthetic chemicals. Registration is first come first serve and will open on June 1 at YardSmart.org, so mark your calendars!
This year’s tour features a mix of community spaces and home gardens which all protect our water and provide a safe place for people, pets, and wildlife. You will see a variety of native plants, yard s
mart methods, and you might see a fish or two! The walk will conclude with lunch and a talk. All attendees will be put into a raffle for items such as an EAC rain barrel and compost bin at the conclusion of the walk.
Participants should bring their own reusable water bottles, and dress for the weather. Participants are encouraged to carpool to conserve fossil fuels and reduce pollution, so check with your friends/family to see if they are going, and consider riding to the event with them. This event is free, but our staff works hard to make this event happen, so we do encourage donations to help offset the cost of the event and lunch and to help the Ecology Action Center continue its efforts to promote a healthy local environment! We will send event details to registered participants closer to the event date.
The Yard Smart program promotes a more sustainable approach to lawn and garden maintenance. Working with nature to build a healthier ecosystem in both the soil below ground, the yard above ground, and reducing pollutants that runoff into our local water supplies will create a more beautiful, sustainable and safer environment for everyone. The program encourages local homeowners to reduce the use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, to conserve natural resources such as water and fossil fuels, and to make room for wildlife in their yards.
Yard Smart Certification recognizes local homeowners who use ecologically sustainable practices in maintaining their yards and who realize that their lawn, garden and landscaping decisions affect the health of the whole community. More information on the Yard Smart program as well as a set of free resource fact sheets is available at YardSmart.org.
2025 Green Award Recipients Recognized
The Ecology Action Center has announced the recipients of the 2025 McLean County Green Awards, which recognize individuals and organizations working to improve and protect our local environment.
Deb Skillrud, Supervisor of the City of Bloomington Township and its Promoting Others to Succeed or POTS program, is the 2025 recipient of the McLean County Recycling and Waste Reduction Award. POTS is a part of the City of Bloomington Township’s workfare program and focuses on developing work skills and job training for its General Assistance participants while also providing a recycling service to the community. The program’s success is made possible through the dedicated efforts of Township staff, collaboration with the National Asian Pacific Center on Aging (NAPCA), and the hands-on work of Township General Assistance workfare participants.
POTS collects plastic garden pots, flats, and trays that cannot be recycled within the regular curbside or drop box recycling service. With seven collection sites in the Bloomington-Normal community, POTS has recycled over 19 tons of flower pots and trays in the last two years. “This program creates meaningful impact to both those in need of assistance and work as well as a meaningful impact on our environment,” says Ivy Brog, an employee of the program.
The former garden pot recycling initiative began in 2007 through a partnership with the Ecology Action Center, McLean County Master Gardeners, and others. When the program lost its donated workspace in 2016, Deb was a critical component to getting the program back on its feet in 2018.
Patrick Dullard, president of the Friends of the Constitution Trail board, is the recipient of the Anne McGowan Making a World of Difference Award for his tree plantings efforts along the Constitution Trail.
“Under Patrick’s leadership, the Friends have been instrumental in the improvement and creation of community greenway trail corridors within McLean County”, says Bill Wasson, Vice President of the Friends of the Constitution Trail Board. Patrick has coordinated the planting of over 725 trees to locations along Historic Route 66 Trail in the rural communities of Chenoa, Lexington, Towanda, Shirley, and Funks Grove. “During Patrick’s tenure as President, the Friends also provided assistance to replace trees lost along the IC Branch of the Trail in Bloomington-Normal and have funded feasibility studies that led to the recent expansion of the Collegiate Branch along Gregory Street in Normal and making the Trail extension and connection to College Ave possible.” Patrick, who is retired from Country Companies Insurance, is also a certified Cycling Instructor, teaching bicycle safety and skills courses to youth.
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