Harper Joins Colleagues to Urge Rauner to Protect Environment

CHICAGO – State Rep. Sonya Harper, D-Chicago, is joining her colleagues in calling on Gov. Rauner to join the U.S. Climate Alliance that New York, California and Washington states have joined to take proactive steps in protecting the environment.

“President Trump was wrong to withdraw the United States for the Paris Climate Agreement,” said Harper. “The United States should be a leader in climate change action and advocacy, and now that responsibility falls on each state. Illinois should follow the example of California, New York and Washington, and join the fight to protect the environment.”

Recently, President Donald Trump took unilateral action to remove the United States from the 2016 Paris Climate Agreement, which outlined participating nations’ policies to combat climate change and carbon emissions. Harper believes that an agreement that was negotiated by President Obama should not have been abandoned less than a year after it was enacted. In response to this action, Harper is joining her Senate and House Democratic colleagues in urging Gov. Rauner to join the state-lead U.S Climate Agreement.

“The governor has the opportunity to join a great effort and be a leader on environmental protection,” said Harper. “I strongly urge him to sign this letter and make Illinois a top contender in fighting carbon emissions and climate change.”