The Sierra Club Endorses Jeff Smith in IL-18

PRESS RELEASE

DECEMBER 18, 2009

CONTACT
Jack Darin (312) 251-1680 x 7

SIERRA CLUB ENDORSES
JEFF SMITH FOR 18TH ILLINOIS HOUSE DISTRICT

Community & Environmental Leader is Best Choice
To Replace Environmental Champion Julie Hamos

The Sierra Club today announced its endorsement of Jeff Smith in the Democratic Primary for the 18th Illinois House of Representatives seat being vacated by Julie Hamos.

“Jeff Smith is a longtime Evanston community leader and environmental activist, and he is the best choice to fill Julie Hamos’ shoes as an environmental champion in Springfield,” said Jack Darin, Director of the Sierra Club, Illinois Chapter.    “The citizens of the 18th District - in Evanston, Chicago, Wilmette, Winnetka - are very active in protecting the environment, and Jeff has made that a major priority in his life as a community leader.”

Smith has been active on wide variety of community and state environmental issues for decades. He served on an Evanston Climate Change Action Plan task force, is a member of Citizens for a Greener Evanston, and is an active Sierra Club volunteer.   As an attorney, he represented the Lake Michigan Federation, pro bono, in a landmark Illinois Supreme Court case that held that the Lake Michigan lake bottom is owned by all Illinois citizens, and cannot be developed for private purposes.

"I am extremely honored to have the support of the Sierra Club,” said Smith.  The Club's long history of diligent work, and its active membership, has made it one the most listened-to voices in state capitols and in Washington. Hope for Illinois's future is tied to green jobs, sustainability, and a new energy economy. I have made these signature issues in our campaign. We are excited about partnering with the Sierra Club to keep this seat occupied by an environmental champion, so that we can build a greener Illinois."

“Jeff Smith has the commitment and experience, from a lifetime of community involvement and environmental action, to be the environmental voice of 18th District residents who want to see Springfield be part of the solution for a cleaner, greener Illinois.” said Darin.

Sierra Club will be working to assist the Smith campaign and engage 5,000 Sierra Club members and supporters in the 18th District.


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