Protect planet even in hard economic times

As Illinois prepares for its 11th month without a budget, it's understandable that residents may wonder why lawmakers would be concerned about anything but resolving the state's financial crisis. Negotiating a budget remains my No. 1 priority. That hasn't changed. But even in the face of severe fiscal challenges, protecting the environment is a worthy pursuit for community, state and national leaders everywhere.

The Earth's delicate ecosystem - under attack by pollution, greenhouse gas emissions and unsustainable living - is too valuable to neglect and too easy to ignore when times are tough.

I continue to support Earth-friendly practices that protect the environment. Among the legislation I'm sponsoring currently:

• Senate Bill 2965 would prohibit the use of neonicotinoid insecticides - linked to the collapse of honey bee populations - on public lands owned or maintained by the state.

• Senate Bill 2143 would prohibit trapping of bobcats and selling their pelts. Previously a threatened species in Illinois, bobcats now may be hunted legally in Illinois. But I am concerned we may be creating a market for bobcat pelts when we lack a clear picture of the animal's population numbers in Illinois.

• Senate Bill 1485, the clean jobs bill, would strengthen energy efficiency policies, expand the amount of energy to be created from clean sources, direct the state to develop plans to comply with federal clean-energy guidelines, and create more than 30,000 clean economy jobs.

By championing these initiatives, even in tough fiscal times, I hope to help more people understand the damage we inflict upon the environment every day and come to see that we all have a role to play in protecting the planet and our children's futures.

State Sen. Don Harmon

Oak Park