CHICAGO (AP) — Gov. Pat Quinn has proclaimed Tuesday as Earth Day in Illinois.

The governor says he wants Illinoisans to get outdoors and involved in conservation and sustainability efforts in the state. He says every day should be Earth Day in Illinois and residents should work to make Illinois the greenest state in the nation. He says "everyone should do their part to help preserve, sustain and beautify" Illinois.

The governor notes that later this week he will host The Council of Great Lakes Governors' annual meeting. Quinn is co-chair of the group of governors of eight U.S. states that border the Great Lakes along with leaders of two Canadian provinces. The meeting will address economic and environmental issues.