Illinois joins states committed to carbon-emission reduction

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - Gov. J.B. Pritzker has ordered that Illinois join a group of U.S. states committed to following the Paris Climate Agreement on reducing carbon emissions.

The Democrat signed an executive order Wednesday to make Illinois the 18th member of the U.S. Climate Alliance.

It means Illinois will abide by the Paris agreement that aims at reducing greenhouse-gas emissions by up to 28 percent by 2025. Former President Barack Obama signed the U.S. onto the Paris accord in 2016 but President Donald Trump withdrew months later.

Pritzker's order also directs the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency to monitor the Trump administration's environmental proposals and look for ways to "protect Illinoisans from environmental harm."

Illinois has already set a goal of reliance on renewable energy for 25 percent of its energy consumption by 2025.