Bolingbrook state legislator earns 100% rating for votes on environmental issues

Illinois Environmental Council rates state legislators on their votes on various bills each year

State Rep. Dagmara "Dee" Avelar speaks to voters on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2020, in Bolingbrook, Ill.

State Rep. Dagmara Avelar, D-Bolingbrook, has earned a 100% environmental scorecard rating from the Illinois Environmental Commission for her votes on several bills.

The IEC said in its 2021 report that legislators are evaluated on whether they voted with the “pro-environment position.”

Among the bills the IEC supported were the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act, which put the state on a track to 100% carbon-free energy by 2045. The group also backed a bill Avelar sponsored to increase monitoring of groundwater near quarry fill sites.

“I am honored to receive this 100% score on the Illinois Environmental Council’s 2021 Environmental Scorecard,” Avelar said in a tweet reacting to the IEC’s rating.

“IEC and our supporters depend on leaders in the Illinois General Assembly to champion important environmental policies, and what’s more, we need favorable votes in the house and senate to make these policies a reality for the state,” IEC Executive Director Jennifer Walling said in the report. “This is what makes this scorecard so important.”

State Sen. Meg Loughran Cappel, D-Shorewood, and state Rep. Natalie Manley, D-Joliet, received a rating of 93.75%.

State Reps. Larry Walsh Jr., D-Elwood; and David Welter, R-Morris, received a rating of 87.5%.

State Sens. John Connor, D-Lockport; Michael Hastings, D-Tinley Park; and Sue Rezin, R-Morris, received a rating of 81.25%.

State Rep. Mark Batinick, R-Plainfield, received a rating of 80%. State Rep. Tim Ozinga, R-Mokena, received a rating of 60%.