Chicago enacts environmental justice measure to ensure future prioritization of community health, social needs

As local governments assess the current and future impacts of climate and environmental change on their communities, understanding past systemic prejudices, which in many cases forced minority populations into present-day disadvantaged stations, is imperative. Lower income constituents are often the most vulnerable when catastrophic weather events descend, and feel longer term impacts like the heat island effect the most.

In one of her last acts as Chicago’s administrative and political leader, outgoing Mayor Lori Lightfoot signed an executive order Wednesday ensuring continued accountability around environmental decision-making that considers and addresses community impacts. The act makes considering health and other community needs a priority across departments and in future city policies.

“Chicago is listening to the long-standing concerns voiced by environmental justice organizations and community members who have described how intensive industrial operations and commercial transportation affect their neighborhoods, health, and quality of life,” Lightfoot said in a statement. “While there are still years of work ahead, together we have laid the groundwork to remedy the harms caused by pollution and other burdens for generations of residents in environmental justice communities. Now we pass the baton to the incoming administration and City Council, and look forward to continued progress on these critical issues.”

The executive order builds on years of groundwork laid by city administrators, the statement says, citing plans like We Will Chicago, the 2022 Climate Action Plan, Healthy Chicago 2025, and $188 million in environment-related investments through the Chicago Recovery Plan.

“Environmental justice is the principle that all people and communities are entitled to equal protection and equal enforcement of environmental laws and regulations and have a right to equitable treatment and meaningful involvement concerning the development, implementation, and enforcement of policies and regulations that can impact the environmental conditions of their communities,” the executive order reads.

In practice, it ensures completion by Sept. 1 of the city’s ongoing Cumulative Impact Assessment, which provides data for city administrators on environmental burdens and other stressors carried by constituents. The assessment is intended to help administrators identify disadvantaged neighborhoods, inform their policy decisions, and target investments the city should make.

“This includes the drafting of an ordinance to fully consider the collective environmental burden of existing and proposed industrial operations in zoning, permitting and enforcement decisions and actions,” the statement says.

The executive order also establishes a community advisory body and interagency working group—both of which are charged with carrying forward environmental justice actions—impliments community engagement standards, and creates a new coordinator role within the Office of Climate & Environmental Equity, according to the statement.

“Today, we celebrate a significant milestone for environmental justice in Chicago,” said Angela Tovar, the city’s chief sustainability officer. “The executive order takes a comprehensive approach by requiring that City departments consider the environmental impacts of their operations, put forth policy and operational solutions, and work collaboratively with our community partners and stakeholders to mitigate them.”