From 350 Chicago to 350 Illinois: Growing Our Climate Movement Across the State
350 Chicago Is Now 350 Illinois
For more than a decade, 350 Chicago has worked to empower people to take action against the climate crisis. What began in 2013 as a Chicago-focused climate action group has grown into an organization working with people and partners across Illinois to advance a cleaner, more sustainable future.
That’s why 350 Chicago is officially becoming 350 Illinois.
Our new name reflects where our work is today and where we’re headed next.
From Chicago to Illinois
When 350 Chicago was founded, our work centered on a strategic goal: confronting the role of fossil fuel finance in the climate crisis and making the case for divesting public institutions from fossil fuel assets.
Our first major campaign focused on the city of Chicago. After years of organizing, advocacy, and coalition-building, our efforts helped lead to the unanimous passage of the Fossil Fuel Divestment Ordinance by the Chicago City Council in 2022. The ordinance required the city to divest from the top 225 fossil fuel companies, and Chicago ultimately divested $70 million from its Operations Portfolio.
That victory demonstrated what is possible when people come together to demand meaningful climate action.
But our work didn’t stop at Chicago’s borders.
Taking the Fight Statewide
Following our success in Chicago, we began working to bring the same principles of fossil fuel divestment to the state level. Today, one of our major priorities is advocating for legislation that would require Illinois’ five state-administered pension funds to sell their fossil fuel investments.
We have also joined forces with organizations across the state to build a statewide movement for climate action. Alongside the Citizens Utility Board and other partners, we are campaigning to stop Illinois utilities from charging their customers for lobbying efforts that can increase utility bills, increase corporate profits, and stand in the way of the clean energy transition.
These campaigns - and the growing network of people and organizations involved in them - have fundamentally expanded the scope of our work.
Our name should reflect that.
Why 350 Illinois?
The change from 350 Chicago to 350 Illinois is a natural next step in our organization’s evolution.
We are still deeply connected to Chicago, and the lessons we learned through our work in the city continue to shape our approach. But the climate challenges facing Illinois don’t stop at city limits. Neither should our efforts to address them.
As 350 Illinois, we can better represent the statewide campaigns, partnerships, and grassroots organizing that are now central to our work. We can connect people and organizations across Illinois, build stronger coalitions, and work together to push for policies that move our entire state toward a cleaner and more sustainable future.
The name is changing. Our mission isn’t.
We remain committed to empowering people to take action, challenging fossil fuel interests, and building a powerful movement for climate justice and a clean energy future.
Building a Better Illinois Together
The transition to 350 Illinois is also an invitation.
Across Illinois, organizations and community groups are already doing important work to address climate change, advance clean energy, protect communities, and create a more sustainable future. We want to connect with those groups, learn from their work, and find opportunities to collaborate.
Whether your organization hosts educational events, brings in outside speakers, organizes rallies or volunteer activities, advocates for policy change, or simply brings people together around a shared vision, we want to hear from you.
By working together, we can amplify our collective impact and build a stronger statewide movement for climate action.
350 Chicago helped prove what people can accomplish in Chicago. Now, as 350 Illinois, we’re ready to bring that spirit of organizing, collaboration, and action to communities across the state.
Join us in fighting the climate crisis and building a better Illinois for everyone.
