Illinois Coal Communities and the Coal Severance Tax Campaign

Pam Richart and Lan Richart, co-founders and co-directors of the Champaign-based Eco-Justice Collaborative, traced the boom-and-bust history of coal in central and southern Illinois, mechanization and job loss, externalized health and environmental costs, and their coalition campaign for a 5% coal severance tax to fund community diversification. Pam Richart gave a first-hand account of listening sessions, meetings with legislators, and how coal-company bankruptcies and the 2016 election stalled the effort. Audience Q&A followed on coal ash and aquifer contamination.