Chicago, IL – Nearly two years after resolving a civil rights complaint that highlighted racial discrimination in its zoning practices, Chicago is on the brink of adopting transformative legislation aimed at preventing polluting industries from adversely affecting low-income communities of color. The proposed ordinance, which could redefine industrial zoning laws in the nation’s third-largest city, is scheduled for consideration by city leaders this Wednesday.
The initiative seeks to introduce a robust framework for evaluating the cumulative environmental impact on neighborhoods prior to the approval of new industrial ventures. This move comes in response to national policies under the Trump administration that scaled back federal oversight of environmental justice, leaving local governments to fend for themselves in safeguarding vulnerable communities against disproportionate pollution burdens.
Environmental advocates are optimistic that the ordinance will serve as a model for other municipalities. According to Gina Ramirez, the Midwest director of environmental health at the Natural Resources Defense Council, the legislation is a crucial step in acknowledging and addressing the historical industrial legacies that have long plagued Chicago, particularly in communities on the South and West sides.
These areas, often bearing the brunt of industrial pollution, would gain a significant voice in the permitting process through an innovative environmental justice advisory board, envisioned by the ordinance. Longtime environmental activist Cheryl Johnson, who has been a vocal advocate for better pollution controls, emphasized the critical nature of community health and the need for robust protective measures.
The ordinance is named in honor of Hazel Johnson, an environmental justice pioneer who began advocating for the health of her community in the 1970s. Her daughter, Cheryl Johnson, continues to lead the People for Community Recovery, the organization founded by her mother, focusing on the same mission of safeguarding human health.
The launch of the proposed ordinance follows a damning conclusion by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development in 2022, which found that Chicago had historically located polluters predominantly in low-income, minority neighborhoods while sparing majority-white, affluent areas. An agreement with the Biden administration led to a pledge by the city to devise a legal solution to this long-standing issue.
However, not all community groups are convinced of the ordinance’s potential effectiveness. Theresa McNamara of the Southwest Environmental Alliance voiced concerns at a public meeting, critiquing the measure as insufficient. The ordinance’s success, experts argue, will hinge largely on the city’s commitment to its rigorous implementation and enforcement.
The challenge of aligning assessment tools with actionable policy changes was highlighted by Ana Baptista, an environmental policy professor at The New School in New York. While states and cities, including Newark, New Jersey, have adopted similar measures, their efficacy in curbing pollution has often been limited, serving more as procedural formalities rather than substantive protective actions.
Nevertheless, the creation of the advisory board is seen as a critical step forward. Oscar Sanchez of the Southeast Environmental Task Force, which was instrumental in filing the original civil rights complaint, underscored the importance of grassroots efforts in driving environmental policy, especially as federal support wanes.
As Chicago prepares to potentially pass this landmark ordinance, it stands as a testament to the ongoing struggle for environmental justice and the city’s resolve to rectify historical inequities. However, the true test will lie in its execution and the tangible health improvements it can bring to those who have been disproportionately impacted for generations.
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