Gov. Blagojevich unveils ambitious energy independence plan to reduce Illinois’ reliance on foreign oil. Governor’s plan would meet 50 percent of state’s motor fuel needs with alternative homegrown sources made from crops and coal by 2017. Illinois would be the first state to achieve this level of energy independence; Governor sets goal of replacing 50% of our energy supply with homegrown fuels. Plan to triple ethanol production and invest in clean coal technology will create 30,000 new downstate jobs and save consumers billions of dollars

(AP) SPRINGFIELD, Ill. Republican Judy Baar Topinka called Monday for a push to make Illinois the national leader in "clean energy" with a plan that includes new requirements for gas stations and power companies.

SPRINGFIELD -- Illinois could have an advantage over Texas in the sweepstakes to land a $1 billion, nearly pollution-free power plant, the chief of the state’s coal association said Tuesday. Phil Gonet, director of the Illinois Coal Association, said Illinois’ abundant coal fields could give two sites in Illinois the leg up over two sites in Texas in the contest to land the FutureGen power plant project.

MONMOUTH - All citizens of Warren County are invited to attend a public hearing set to begin at 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 22, in the boardroom at the Warren County Courthouse.

Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich announced the launch of the $4 million Renewable Energy Development (RED) Fund that will support community-scale wind energy projects throughout Illinois.