Last week I joined legislators from throughout the midwest for the National Caucus of Environmental Legislators Great Lakes Forum to share ideas about environmental issues and coordinate legislative action throughout the region. One of my goals has always been to make Illinois a leader in environmental protection.

I discussed House Bill 3424, the Illinois Clean Cars Act, which would require the Environmental Protection Agency to establish new motor vehicle emission standards and prohibit the Secretary of State from issuing titles for cars that do not meet the new standards or have not been tested.

I believe legislators have a responsibility to take action to make our states as green and environmentally friendly as possible. By coming together, state legislators can help make our world a better place for our children and future generations.

In October I traveled to Israel with Project Interchange to focus on energy policy and technology especially in the fields of solar energy and recovered energy generation. With limited access to energy resources, Israel has become a world leader in energy alternatives, efficiency and innovation, and therefore is an excellent case study for those of us who are working on energy legislation and policy.

We toured the country reviewing various solar and architectural applications as well as meeting with government leaders at various levels. While I have been to Israel as a "tourist," this was exhilarating to get a different perspective including inside glimpses of Israeli society. The sites we visited included an up close view of the security fence in the Golan, Metullah and the West Bank

I have been a strong proponent of Senate Bill 572 which provided a comprehensive, sustainable solution to Illinois' mass transit. Unfortunately, that bill did not pass. At the end of November, a compromise transit bill, Senate Bill 307 was brought to a vote. It was originally introduced by Republican Leader Tom Cross and was backed by the Governor. I voted for it even though it was less comprehensive than SB572 because of the importance of mass transit to the economic strength of our region. I felt we need to pass something and this was a compromise that might be acceptable.

I was disappointed that Senate Bill 307 did not pass. Some legislators refuse to support a mass transit bill until a capital bill is proposed. A capital bill, because of the nature of gaming as its potential funding source, is an extremely complicated piece of legislation to write. We are in very real danger of losing the substantial reform components negotiated with the transit boards and unions, which include substantial pension and benefit concessions worth $11 million a month.

The Federal Transit Administration has already downgraded the priority of the CTA and RTA for funding because Illinois has not set aside matching funds. While no one can pinpoint an exact deadline, if Illinois resolves the transit situation fairly quickly, our transit system will be reprioritized to receive $1.5 billion in federal funds.

Transit funding is so important that I don't believe our work is done for the year until it is solved. I will continue to fight for a sustainable solution.

November 18, the Jewish Environmental Coalition of the North Shore held a Green Fair with about 50 exhibitors at North Shore Congregation Israel. The goal of the fair was to share best practices and ideas for bringing sustainability into our homes. As one of the exhibitors, I provided information on recently enacted legislation. My booth also included an opportunity for participants to send a postcard to local car dealerships encouraging them to support the Illinois Clean Car Act, House Bill 3424.

Elisa Redish, a dynamo Northwestern student from Highland Park, has designed a Facebook account to organize people to support House Bill 3424, the Illinois Clean Car Act. I have made a point of including young adults in the environmental agenda. I think young people who "get it" could be a very potent force in lobbying this bill and in explaining it to those legislators who don't "get it." Andrew Belsky, who has been helping out at our legislative office during winter break, is also enlisting his friends to the cause.

To join the cause through Facebook, follow this link: Illinois Clean Car Act.

Each year, 8 one-year scholarships are available from the State Board of Education for students residing in my district. Applicants who will be attending an Illinois state university are eligible to receive a General Assembly Scholarship. The scholarship is a full tuition (no fees) waiver for the entire school year, including summer classes; it does not include fees or room and board.

The applications are due in my district office April 4. The applications are available on my website.