LWV Chicago Supports Environmental Justice

LWV Chicago has joined many other organizations as signers of a letter thanking Michael S. Regan, Administrator of the federal Environmental Protection Agency, for his “commitment to advancing environmental justice and for [his] recent letter urging Mayor Lightfoot's administration to conduct an environmental justice analysis prior to making a final permit decision on the proposed relocation of the General Iron metal shredding operation from Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood to the Southeast Side.”

The letter acknowledges “the significant step forward in the fight against environmental injustices that have plagued the Southeast Side of Chicago.” 

Other organizations signing the letter include Alliance of the Southeast, Center for Neighborhood Technology, Climate Reality Chicago, Friends of the Park, Lincoln Park Presbyterian Church, Nature Conservancy, Respiratory Health Association, and Sierra Club Illinois. 

LWV Chicago also urges members to support the Chicago Environmental Justice Network and the Pritzker administration in reaffirming their commitment to community-based environmental justice by means of HB4093. The bill, introduced by Rep. Sonya Harper, enhances the community engagement process when considering permits for new and potentially large sources of air pollution in environmental justice communities. The bill requires review of the cumulative impact of air pollution as part of the permitting process. Take action to support HB4093.