CCL Illinois State Conference: Building Climate Solutions Together

Schedule

Sat, 17 Oct, 2026 at 11:00 am to Sun, 18 Oct, 2026 at 01:00 pm

UTC-05:00
Location

Lewis University | Romeoville, IL

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Join us for a weekend of building relationships and strengthening skills for meaningful climate action!
About this Event

Whether you are new to Citizens' Climate Lobby (CCL), a seasoned volunteer, or anyone who wants to help create the political will for a livable world, register now to learn effective techniques for advocating for important climate action. Spend the weekend reconnecting with your passion for the environment, connecting with others who are committed to a livable climate, and have fun while doing it! Through interactive, collaborative sessions, we'll learn from each other, advancing climate action in Illinois.


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Saturday Agenda

🕑: 08:30 AM - 09:00 AM
Student Reception

Info: Reception for South Metropolitan Higher Education Consortium students.


🕑: 09:00 AM - 10:45 AM
Climate Activism and Advocacy in Higher Education

Info: Special program with the South Metropolitan Higher Education Consortium to learn how CCL's climate advocacy approach can be used to further activism in students and the higher education community.


🕑: 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Climate Advocate Training

Info: This workshop is especially for people newish and brand new to Citizens’ Climate Lobby.
We will introduce you to CCL and our approach to climate advocacy. You’ll learn about the policies CCL advocates for, what our local groups do and how you can plug in to CCL!


🕑: 12:00 PM - 01:00 PM
Lunch

Info: Box lunches can be purchased with your conference registration. Orders must be placed by October 7th. You can also bring your own sack lunch if you’d like. Various restaurants and fast food places are within a 10 to 15 minute drive. All Lewis University dining options will be closed for fall break.


🕑: 01:00 PM - 01:20 PM
Conference Welcome & Keynote Speaker
Host: Alex Marianyi - IL State Coordinator
🕑: 01:20 PM - 02:00 PM
Legislative Update
Host: Ricky Bradley - Executive Director

Info: Learn more about CCL's legislative priorities and how we're lobbying Congress to get them passed.


🕑: 02:15 PM - 03:15 PM
Moral Foundations Goes to the Movies
Host: Brett Cease - Vice President of Field Operations

Info: Passing durable climate legislation requires building relationships with people who think differently than you. BRIDGE uses evidence-based skills to have those conversations — and create opportunities for change. In this unique session, we’ll have a bit of fun while exploring these crucial concepts.


🕑: 03:30 PM - 04:30 PM
Breakout 1 : The Local Impacts of Climate Change
Host: Matt Holiner - Meteorologist

Info: Learn about the ways climate change impacts various parts of Illinois. Better understanding the impacts of climate at the local level will help us improve how we interact with officials, write op-eds, and conduct grassroots outreach. Climate is both local and global, and understanding what’s happening on the ground arms us to seek climate justice.


🕑: 03:30 PM - 04:30 PM
Breakout 2 : Relational Advocacy in Federal, State, and Local Governments

Info: How do we apply CCL's lobbying methods, including BRIDGE and motivational interviewing, at the local level? Looking at data centers, community meetings, and solar advocacy, this session will help us go deeper with many of the tools we’ve used nationally.


🕑: 04:45 PM - 05:00 PM
Day 1 Reflections
🕑: 05:00 PM - 07:00 PM
Reception

Info: Light appetizers and cash bar


Sunday Agenda

🕑: 08:30 AM - 09:00 AM
Coffee & Socializing
🕑: 09:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Breakout 1 : Climate Collage & Card Making
Host: Vanessa Berry

Info: Art plays an important role in activism. It helps people connect with the movement, visualize a brighter, greener future, and inspire action. Learn about art in the climate movement, then make some of your own! Vanessa Berry is a collage artist from the Chicago suburbs.


🕑: 09:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Breakout 2 : Your Guide to Writing Climate Fiction
Host: JH Tomen

Info: Has your real life ever been inspired by a powerful story? Humans have been storytellers for tens of thousands of years, and our work in climate is no different. In this session, you’ll learn the basics of writing compelling climate fiction. JH Tomen is an author based in Chicago.


🕑: 09:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Breakout 3 : Climate Improv
Host: Rose Murphy

Info: Through interactive exercises and activities, learn how to actively listen, think quickly, and respond on the spot. These valuable skills will help in lobby meetings, tabling events, and chapter meetings.


🕑: 10:15 AM - 11:15 AM
Chapter Organizing Breakout Sessions

Info: CCL’ers are experts in democracy! These breakouts will be determined by popular vote, after which, you will work with a facilitator on an engaging discussion about the work your chapter does or hopes to do. Choose between a variety of topics, including lobbying, chapter growth, outreach to local leaders, tabling strategies, and more. We'll brainstorm ideas and share what’s working in our chapters with fellow volunteers.


🕑: 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Q&A Session with Ricky Bradley and Brett Cease
Host: Ricky Bradley - Executive Director

Info: Join Ricky Bradley, CCL's Executive Director and Brett Cease, CCL's Vice President of Field Operations in an interactive Q&A session about how we can further advance our CCL work in Illinois.


🕑: 12:30 PM - 01:00 PM
Day 2 Reflections & Closing Remarks
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Where is it happening?

Lewis University, 101 W. Airport Rd., Romeoville, United States

Event Location & Nearby Stays:

Tickets

USD 0.00 to USD 79.00

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