In response to the recent demolition of a coal plant in the Little Village neighborhood,[1] Mayor Lori Lightfoot introduced an ordinance to the Chicago City Council that would make it more difficult for industrial plant developments to site in and around residential areas.

The proposed legislation would require approval of a planned development for any industrial plants within six hundred and sixty feet of residential property.[2] Any industrial plants that engage in manufacturing, waste management or recycling would be subject to more scrutiny under the ordinance, such as by requiring public hearings.[3]

Tensions grew in April 2020 when the demolition of a coal plant’s smokestack enveloped Little Village in a plume of dust.[4] The city of Chicago issued a permit to Hilco Trading Redevelopment Partners, who sub-contracted the demolition team. Community members advocated for a delayed demolition, citing the likelihood that heavy dust from the demolition would exacerbate Covid-19 concerns in a neighborhood that has already been disproportionately affected by the virus and existing pollution.[5]

The proposal seeks to avoid incidents like the Hilco implosion by requiring more scrutiny of industrial developments. Companies seeking to build these facilities would require additional approval for planned developments if a facility is near retail storefronts, shopping centers, or city parks.[6] Long before the implosion, community groups like the Little Village Environmental Organization pressed the Mayor for policy changes that would address the high pollution rate in Chicago’s Black and Latino communities.[7] Group leaders believe that the ordinance is step in the right direction, but contend that it is too small of a move to address the systemic environmental injustice borne by the community.[8]

[1] Fran Spielman, Lightfoot’s decision to strip aldermen of control over permits at center of Little Village demolition controversy, Chicago Sun Times (April 14, 2020) available at https://chicago.suntimes.com/city-hall/2020/4/14/21220993/coronavirus-smokestack-demolition-permit-air-pollution-little-village/.

[2] Chicago, Ill., Amendment of Municipal Code Title 17 regarding requirements associated with manufacturing in Planned Manufacturing Districts, Office of the Mayor (Sept. 9, 2020) [Hereinafter “Amendment”], https://www.chicago.gov/content/dam/city/depts/mayor/Press%20Room/Press%20Releases/2020/September/ReformZoningRulesAirQuality.pdf.

[3] Id.

[4] Kari Lydersen, After Chicago coal plant demolition debacle, residents demand changes, Energy News Network (April 17, 2020) available at https://energynews.us/2020/04/17/midwest/after-chicago-coal-plant-demolition-debacle-residents-demand-changes/.

[5] Id.

[6] Amendment, supra, note 2.

[7] Little Village Environmental Justice Organization, Little Village’s Right to Breathe, http://www.lvejo.org/lvejo-response-to-hilco-little-villages-fight-for-the-right-to-breathe/ (last visited Sept. 20, 2020.)

[8] Fran Spielman, Lightfoot’s decision to strip aldermen of control over permits at center of Little Village demolition controversy, Chicago Sun Times (April 14, 2020) available at https://chicago.suntimes.com/city-hall/2020/4/14/21220993/coronavirus-smokestack-demolition-permit-air-pollution-little-village/.