ST. LOUIS – Illinois and Missouri environmental advocates held a virtual rally July 23 on both sides of the Mississippi River to fight for cleaner air.

Illinois and Missouri continue to lag on implementing adequate air quality protections. For the second year in a row, a coalition of organizations has called attention to the situation and urged policymakers to improve air permitting processes.

“Residents in Illinois and Missouri share more than just the Mississippi River. As neighbors, we share air as well,” said DeAndress Green, a member of Metropolitan Congregations United and Treasurer of New Cahokia Commons Urban Farm.

“I grew up in North St. Louis and was repeatedly exposed to poor air quality," Green said. "Just last month, I was admitted to the hospital with respiratory health issues, but doctors couldn’t deduce a diagnosis. It hit me that my respiratory health issues are the result of having been exposed to pollutants for years.” 

A national study found that air pollution is responsible for 63 percent of deaths from environmental causes and 3 percent of deaths from all causes. The situation is exacerbated by redlining, barriers to public engagement and lack of funding. Communities of color are exposed to air pollution from industries, power plants, transportation and building demolitions at disproportionately high rates. A cluster of polluting sources is particularly evident along the Mississippi River, in areas with high percentages of residents of color. 

“I live near the Veolia plant. Many days, my children are not able to go outside and play because of the poor air quality,” said Mamie Cosey, a great-grandmother, retired preschool teacher, and member of United Congregations of Metro East. “I’m tired of talking about this issue. My life is almost over, but what about my great-grandchildren? Will they be suffering 10 years from today, 20 years from today? It’s time to act on their behalf because they cannot for themselves. We must do something, and we must do it now.”

Earlier this year, the Illinois General Assembly considered the Environmental Justice Permitting Bill (HB4093/SB2906) which would have codified improvements to air permitting requirements and processes. The bill required large air pollution facilities to conduct cumulative impact assessments and create avenues for community involvement in the permitting process; it did not pass.

In Missouri, the Department of Natural Resources (MoDNR) is proposing an ozone rule that omits Ameren’s Labadie coal plant from any pollution reduction. MoDNR will hold a public hearing July 28.   

“It’s past time for policymakers in Illinois and Missouri to ensure communities on both sides of the Mississippi River have access to clean air, and fossil fuel polluters are held accountable,” said Dale Wojtkowski, a volunteer with the Kaskaskia Group of Sierra Club Illinois. “After all, mother earth does not see our state boundaries, and the air we breathe and the great river we share must be protected.” 

To view the full rally, visit https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rjEOgRQuv3Hq8ePs8xw_9aIX1qwmQR0t/view.