I want to thank our three committee members here for being
on time and here and ready to work. And yes. So
I'll say for the record, the committee on Environmental
Protection, energy, will now come to order and we are going
to stand at recess for five minutes while we wait for
committee members to arrive to, thank you, retest, for 5
minutes.
A lot of them come late and you about this mean.
You call me.
You coming in at a certain time.
It is out of control.
That's all they do. Is recycling for mechanics.
The Democratic machine.
Recycle.
Recycle from 14178.
And most.
Are most environmental away always in the 4 black area.
They did.
They did not do a national search for the most qualified
person.
Dentist.
Fantastic. Good morning everybody.
So the committee on Environmental Protection and energy
will now come to order from our recess. Today we will hear
testimony from our sitting Chief sustainability officer
Angela Tovar. As she faces reappointment to the role for
another 4 years. First, we're going to begin with a roll,
call to establish Quorum. I Maria had and share and present
vice-chair Timothy Knutson.
I'll
Old.
All them.
Alderman, Dental Espada.
Auto.
Old woman Julio Ramirez.
all the
Alderman, Ray Lopez.
Alderwoman Savannah Tavares.
Auto.
Autumn and Monique Scott.
Autumn.
Alderman, Byron sigcho. Lopez alderwoman Ruth Cruise.
Autumn.
Alderwoman rossana, Rodriguez Sanchez.
Alderman.
Alderman will.
Alderman. William Conway.
I'll
Alderman. Brendan Reilly
Autumn.
Alderman, Bennett Lawson.
I'll
Autumn and Angela clay.
Alderman. Matt Martin.
All.
Alderwoman Lenny Minelli hoppenworth.
and,
Fantastic. They are being.
Send.
Send members present, we have a quorum. Alright, so are
there any non members present? I want to be recognized. All
right, at this time, we're going to begin. Public comments
are public comment. Period is limited to 30 minutes and out
of respect for everybody's time. Each speaker is limited to
three minutes are speaker. Allotment, let's say we've got
One, two, three in person and three virtual so we'll
rotate. We're going to start with our first in-person
Speaker, mr. George Blakemore.
The.
Good morning to this committee. Environment is very
important. You can have a cocktail in that it out.
Miss.
Mr. Blakemore please continue. Absolutely. Thank you very
much. All of them awfully want. Someone come from the
public.
You must respect the public person.
You.
You must not meet and greet your out-of-control. Anyway, I
was reading. I said, let me see the agenda.
Let you sign in but I didn't help. I need to see a resume
and then they changed it say about and reading it. I don't
know if you have chosen the most qualified person.
Did.
Did you make a national search reading? Is fundamental. I
read that she been with over at the county and now she's
coming to the city, you know, recycle the Democratic
machine recycle. Sometimes you can recycle something too
much. Where is no longer has stuff? So I don't know if I'm
reading this resonate and and her involvement was started
in 2020 and then in 2023, I really don't think that you
needed a tangle of one of those to get the most qualified
person for the day.
What do you know about the environment? I know that the
environment is mostly in the black and poor area. I know
that much and our top and I know about how the government
world. How you recycle, one reading this, this person, sure
you could have got to come by,
Arkansas.
Architecture is not up to par so, perhaps this was a
political movement.
And maybe is not good for the Phyllis. I'm not the one to
be played with.
I'm in.
I'm entitled to my opinion. I asked for her resume and
reading this is unacceptable. You should have made a
national search.
Thank.
Thank you. Thank you, mr. Blake more before we go to our
next speaker to chair. Just want to recognize Alderman
laspada and Alderman Lopez for a quorum. Thank you. We're
not going to go to virtual, tour Brianna Versace.
take a
Hey, can you hear me? Yes.
Hey, good morning, thanks. I love to get started. Thank you
for starting the timer. My name is Brianna for touching, a
good morning to everyone. I live in the 10th Ward, I am
calling in to speak about the livestock ordinance, that was
proposed by 15th, Ward Alderman, Raymond Lopez. I just have
a couple of notes that I'd like to share and Reflections on
my personal experience with him, keeping in some of the
comments that I'd like to share. I'm the executive director
and their role in helping possibly reduce harm. I did note
in the ordinance that there were a few comments regarding
banding and tagging to track Livestock in Residential
Properties. I do appreciate that and I think that that can
help reduce harm when chicks get out. If they're in proper
housing for hens, that that can be easier to track and get
to the root of the problem. I do have concerns regarding
the maximum block size of 6. I feel that can be
restrictive, the homeowner,
Mr.
It's for folks that might own a larger lots of land or in
the tent where there's instances where many neighbor's own,
a plot of land with their primary property and then they
own the lot directly adjacent to it. And I were at 6:10
like flat umbrella cap would be restrictive and less
cost-effective for those homeowners. I'll note from myself
on my block, there's five need directly adjacent to me that
own hens and roosters their flocks. All exceed that 6 size
and it serves as an element of food security during the
pandemic and win egg prices were high. In the last year, I
think it was back in the spring. I had neighbors that I was
able to share my eggs with and we all shared and circulated
resources. So I do worry that a blanket Stix pen cap, won't
be a cost-effective for homeowners and can restrict some of
that suit security that was happening on a neighbor level
that we all really appreciate it and witnessed. I did also
know that there was a
It be on.
It be on on roosters. I understand that that might be
rooted in noise, complaints against fear that. If that is
just a blanket band that individual homeowners will be
impacted. There's that take away the security. I think if
there is a better system for addressing ongoing complaints
or nuisance of noise, but that could be improved upon with
the executive director role being built out more. But I
worry about a blanket ban just getting rid of roosters in
the city. Again I've seen
Utility of.
Utility of them in my own flocking, in my neighbor's. That's
the extent of my comment. I appreciate that. Details are
being addressed, but I think that it could be flushed out a
little bit more to still give homeowners a little more
autonomy in what the ordinance is suggesting. Thank you for
time.
Thank.
Thank you, mr. She will continue with our virtual
commenter, so Viviana Ochopee, if you wanna or coffee,
Can you give me?
Can you hear me, okay?
Thank.
Thank you for Generation Chicago in and and manage multiple
chronic illnesses that are directly related to the
chickens, on the south side for the last eight years. And
today, while I know that the garden is going to be up to
discussion for a bit. I wish to address ordinance 000-2993,
which was introduced by Alderman, Raymond Lopez in the last
city. Council meeting feels like a direct attack on black
brown and internet animal Keepers in Chicago. Is it sent
the band horses directly? Impacts of thriving, in historic?
Black horse riding community in? Chicago is really well to
keep the Chicago big horses here and animal control or
anything, and he's proposing. If he proposing, if they did,
they would need significant training.
You stand.
Houston and enforce the parameters, as outlined in its
ordinance, it's not surprising. However I did not consult
with any relevant organizations around animals, similar in
2019 and was greeted with a similar outcry. At the
Ridiculousness of the ordinance Collective best interest to
specially following the food, shortages, and supply-chain
breakdowns, and we've experienced in the pandemic. And for
a general soil Health to ensure that the residents of
Chicago are able to continue as we have four generation,
additionally, at minimum doubles, every single fee,
Associated Press Chicago. And I know for a fact that we
really do not need any more fines and fees and therefore
encourage you to not waste your energy moving this
ordinance, any further, I trust that this committee and
myself are the goal of the
Holistically help.
Holistically healthier.
Holistically healthier future for Chicagoland's.
Thank.
Thank you for your comments.
Neck.
Next, we have Andrew sammarco. Andrew sammarco. Thank you
in person, enter. So I've got up next Cheryl Johnson.
Good morning, everyone. My name is Cheryl Johnson, and I'm
just acting director of people for Community recovery. One
of the very first African American organization in the city
of Chicago located in altgeld Garden. My mother is known as
the mother of environmental Johnson, the Lake Hazel,
Johnson, and I'm in my personal experience. In my
professional experience, has been 40 years, was dealing
with environmental issues on a fire Southside of Chicago.
I'm here to testify on your behalf of Angela Tova basically
on my experience dealing with environmental issues, Urban
environment in which I never felt, I never met anyone with
the expertise that she brings to the table.
I know.
I never seen two cities.
I never seen to City of.
I never seen the city of Chicago to interact with EJ issues
and sister stablished. She's coming working for the city
her and her team does a excellent job in collaborating with
Community to develop strategy, environmental strategies
that we need today. 30 years ago my mother talked about the
climate change but she didn't call it that it's called a
change. In the weather pack, we are experience that. What
are we prepared? Do we have policies in place? You have
someone like Angela who has the expertise to bring the city
and the citizens together to develop strategies to make
Chicago safe.
I don't.
I don't know anyone else.
And no one in here in this room that 40 years experience
dealing with EJ issues from air, water and land, and even
talk about you. And the impacts of what we're talkin about
and climate Justice, that what we talked about today. I
worked on them from a national level but I had no respect
locally until the chief of sustainability officer got in
place and her team, we talkin hard stuff y'all. But the
hard stuff is to protect us at the end of the day I have we
prepared. So I'm
To say reappoint her to her position so we can make Chicago,
say thank you.
Thanks.
Thank you, Miss Johnson.
Neck.
Next stop, we have Jack, Darren.
Good morning, Madam chair members of the committee. My name
is Jack there and I'm the director of the Sierra Club.
Illinois, chapter am also honored to be here in support of
the nomination of Chief sustainability officer, Tovar to
serve. Again, we've had the pleasure of working with
officer Tovar and under her leadership. Chicago's made
really good progress towards the Bold climate goals that
we've set. One side is our goal to power Chicago, with a
hundred percent renewable energy. And we've seen a major
commitment to first power of the city and public buildings
with renewable energy bilteer in Illinois. And with
benefits for Chicago communities, as part of that. And of
course you've got some new bolt goals for for the city on
climate environmental justice with our new mayor. And I
think I'll sort of ours, just the right person to leave
that work based on our track record. And I think it's
really important that says a lot about her values and her
orientation that you've got some of these great
environmental, justice leaders here to testify in support
of Officer to bar today.
Build.
Building. Those were
Building those relationships with the people with the most
at stake in the policies that she works on every day. It's
just a really critical indicator of that. She's the right
person for the job board for it. Thank you.
Thank.
Thank you.
Right there being no further speakers that have finally
signed up that concludes our public comment. And thank you.
All of our speakers today. I would like to know that our
committee received 15 written public comments. And those
public comments have been sent to all of the committee
members via email while. So, make sure they're on the clerk
site with materials of completion of this meeting.
So, our first order of business is our rule 45 report from
July 12th 2023, which was sent out to the committee. Can I
have a motion to approve, the rule, 45 report all around,
Martin lose, all those in favor of passing the resolution
by saying, please say I
I got all the Posse name.
And they.
And the opinion of the chair, the eyes have it. We've only
got one item further on the committee agenda today. And
that is the reappointment of Angela Tobar at the chief
sustainability officer, in the office of climate
environmental Equity has produced an impressive amount of
work that's helping to guide. Chicago towards a more
resilient to stainable and healthier City in the face of
climate change. She created a climate action plan for
Chicago,
But this.
With established goals and timelines to help create a
Greener City, the climate action plan can, and should serve
as a roadmap for us as policymakers. Helping us to ensure
that every decision we make includes environmental lens for
the future of Chicago. She's also work closely with
environmental justice Advocates and community members to
conduct the cumulative impact analysis, over the following
months, member here recommendations from that report on,
how we should make decisions on where to place, intensive
industrial operators and manufacturers moving forward, this
work is the first-of-its-kind for Chicago and move really
helps ameliorate issues that affect the health and quality
of life for communities for generations. To come finally
Angeles been working hard to develop a framework for
re-establish, a department of environment for the city of
Chicago and in doing so is put up with a lot of us over the
last few years working and pushing for that department of
environment. So this work was
I'll look.
I was looking into the city's former Department before it
was dissolved under the Emanuel Administration, as well as
researching environmental Department models and major me
some holidays around the country. We should have additional
inside and recommendations on. What a newly re-establish
Department could look like in our city at the coming
months. This department is imperative, as we continue to
face mounting concerns about the future of our city, in the
face of climate change and Angela Tovar is here today, to
share a bit more about her background. Her work and her
vision for the city as
collaboratively tackle, these
Collaboratively tackle, these issues.
Collaboratively tackle, these issues following her
testimony. There will be time for questions from committee
members, Angela. Welcome.
Thank.
Thank you. Thank you for having me an inn. Before I begin,
I just want to express my gratitude to our Frontline
leaders, who took time out of their very busy schedules to
be here with us today. I know that you all have competing
issues everyday that you are grappling with in your
community. So to take time out here to be here with us is
is real super meaningful. So just want a knowledge, you all
and the leadership that you have brought the city over the
last few years, you know, that you talked a lot about our
relationship but I also think it's important to mention
your leadership and just the commitment that you brought
over the years to make better outcomes for our city. So
thank you. Thank you all for being here, honorable chair,
Houghton, and members of the environmental committee. I
stand here before you today with deep gratitude and A
Renewed sense of commitment. As I seek the opportunity to
continue to serve as the city's Chief sustainability
officer. It's been an incredible journey.
And I'm honored.
And I'm honored by the trust that they are Johnson has
placed in me to lead our City's environmental justice and
sustainability initiatives. During my tenure, we have
achieved some remarkable Milestone that reflect our City's
renewed commitment, both to mitigating the climate crisis
and advancing systems change that will lead to more
environmentally, just and Equitable outcomes for all
Chicago. In these events have been made possible through
the collaboration of many in this room, including City
Council Members Department Partners leaders on the
frontlines Business Leaders and every resident who believes
in a shared vision for Community Prosperity, through a
green economy, as we look toward the future, the
challenges, remain significant and climate change continues
to threaten our environment and our communities and the
urgency to address. These issues has never been greater
particularly in low-income communities and communities of
color hue.
NBA.
In bear.
Didn't bear the greatest impact, it is with this sense of
urgency that I vow to prioritize my time, in this role to
increasing staff capacity and resources, necessary for the
city of Chicago to drastically lower. Our carbon emissions
to Foster support for growing green, Workforce and repair,
historic arms, that have led to deep environmental
disparities in our black and brown communities. All will
harness seen unprecedented levels of federal
find a
Funding available through the inflation reduction act, and
this is the single largest commitment from the federal
government to invest in climate and environmental
priorities.
My commitment to this rule, extends Beyond a professional
obligation. It's a personal calling. For me, one that has
been influenced by my upbringing and environmental justice
community in the 10th Ward, I pledge to work beside you all
and Mayor Johnson to tirelessly amplify, the voices of
community residents. As you can tell all who have a Crystal
Clear Vision for how resilient sustainable communities can
be realized in the city of Chicago. Furthermore, I will
embody the values of our new Administration and continue to
strive for solutions that are Equitable that consider
barriers to success and that leave no one behind. No one as
we pursue a Jess transition to more regenerative economic
foundation for our city. One that prioritizes our health,
our people, our community, and our planet.
I see.
I think you've.
I thank you for your time, your consideration and your
ongoing support. As we collectively strive to make Chicago,
a model for environmental justice and sustainability and a
testament to what can be achieved when the city unite
around a shared vision for the future. I humbly request
your support for my appointment, as Chief sustainability
officer and to allow me the privilege to continue to lead
that wonderful team over there. The office of climate and
environmental Equity together, we can build upon the
foundation, be played to date and drive, even greater it
more meaningful impact for all Chicago. And thank you.
Thank.
Thank you. I want to recognize the old woman Ramirez and
vice-chair can you send for Quorum and open it up, two
committee, members for questions are, I'll say, I don't
remember all of my gas tank. I think I saw a man come way
before I ever had the privilege of becoming a alderman, and
it's my real firm belief that this city can be a leader in
the renewable energy area in and create jobs, in places in
this city, where it's, where it's desperately needed, in
addition to the, to the IRA, what you talked about in
Illinois, very friendly state city, the city is very
friendly City.
Renewable energy. We're blessed with a skilled Workforce
here in Chicago, where transportation technology Hub? The
ingredients. I guess we could use a little more Sunshine,
but the ingredients are all there for Chicago, to be a
national. If not Global leader in renewable energy, going
forward and really create jobs across the city. And in, in
that vein, I had a wonderful conversation with with the
officer told her about that. I don't want to speak to her,
but I know that you see that, see that Vision as well. And
I am just thrilled that you will be the person that will be
leading sustainability in this city and I'm proud to have
the opportunity to work with you going forward. Thank you
very much.
Thank.
Thank you, are next up on Roman rossana. Rodriguez Sanchez.
Play Muse.
Play music for a woman. Mr. I am very happy about the
opportunity to continue working with you. I want to thank
you.
because,
because I
Because I know that the last four years were tough, you have
been in a fundamental position that was not necessarily set
up for success, and it is now our responsibility to make
sure that you are set up for success to make sure that you
have the resources that you need in order to be able to
guide us and lead the charge on protecting us and
developing resilience against climate change, but I really
want to commend you for the way in which you have engaged,
the communities that are organizing to keep us safe.
Because you are listening to the people that are the most
impacted by climate change, by environmental racism.
And the only way out of this moment that were in, it's
going to be together, is going to be listening to the
people who are the most impacted and organizing together,
and developing strategies together for sustainability and
resilience, and you are doing that. And I am here to do
this with you. I am very excited to to continue organizing
with you and to Bringing these communities in, with us. And
I know that in you, we have an ally in order to do that. So
I thank you for saying, yes.
To Disney.
Today's New Jersey.
To this new journey and and I am definitely excited to see
you get the appointment today. Thank you, sir. Thank you.
Next up with old Ben Martins and all them in my purse and
then ottoman laspada, ottoman, Martin good to see you. As
always I I think that you noted and in some of our
commenters noted as well, be significant challenges that
lay before us, when you think about a tree canopy that in
too many places is shrinking to to the emerald ash borer,
when you think about these increasingly severe storm events
that have cost out of Stadium, flooding all across our City
events, like the Canadian wildfires and even just
particular parts of the area of Chicago that filled the
heavy weight of diesel exhaust. I think about our our
shrinking landfill space
and the fact that,
And the fact that it's going to become increasingly
expensive for us to dispose of our waste and it can feel
daunting in a lot of ways we could go through any of things
and then I don't have enough time for that but why I'm
supporting your nomination and why I'm heartened to have
you continuing to lead on. This is the opportunities that
are presenting themselves in the leadership that you've
already showed. So things around working to plant, $75,000
trees over a five-year period is huge, putting out, our
climate action plan, which lays out with significant
detail, where other opportunities present themselves. How
will make sure we're doing a better job of testing lead in
the water and removing that led infrastructure to make sure
that we are reducing our carbon footprint. Those with
vehicles in particular City Vehicles, as well as our larger
buildings, both new and existing
to be clear. I think that these challenges will be
magnified and will be more challenging. So I think we've
already try to address to the best of our ability, that
low-hanging fruit, but I think you're up to the task and
know that you have willing Partners in this committee and
the broader Council but also know that we're going to push
you because we have thankfully, we threw the inflation
reduction act, a lot of capital finally from the federal
government to help do many of the things.
Call makan.
Conway.
Conway mansion and more and we need to make sure that we
are getting you and your colleagues, the resources that we
need that you need to help us take advantage of these
opportunities. We are in the Mist right now, of course of a
crisis involving new arrivals, but this is not going to be
the last time I suspect, we deal with things like this.
Given though, the growing impact of the climate crisis and
the Very distinct possibility that will continue to be a
refuge for people including people who are fleeing the
impacts of climate change. So now is the time to plan now
is the time to put in that infrastructure and Now's the
Time to get you in this position permanently so that you
can help lead the charge. So thank you for continuing to
want to serve to work with us and I will forward it to
bring you a picture.
and,
Thank U. Next up your volume in loss and then laspada,
Lopez Cruz. And then waguespack as we go to on committee
members, everyone's going to talk Autumn and Lawson future
had and then I will be brief but I want to say just do 12.
I really appreciate the phone call in the conversation. You
and I had like it was very enlightening. I think you have a
lot of support in the council for sustainable initiatives.
Certainly among the new class where I know if it's not in
our top issue, is that our top five? So we spoke about I
just want to buy like the culture of sustain.
Guardianship.
Jordan Chicago.
Jordan, Chicago. And part of that is being more visible,
right? Highlighting the important work that we're doing. I
like the little things that we're doing that you might see
on the street, be kind of jokes. They did the green roof
here like 25 years ago. What's the next flash, right? Or
what have we done since then? So I want to just to Echo
that I think we're Nation with all departments, is
something that is absolutely necessary and if he looks the
department of environment and your ability to do that,
there's more departments and I can name that go into our
sustainable City and also to really highlight their
opportunities for growth in the business is small and large
and multi-family rental high-rise settings that we can do a
better job with soap and Amazon, and guy. So there's some
weird rules on solar panels and some other things I'd like
to work on with you. So regulations I've been supporting
this and you were going forward making sure Adam
Thank you.
Thank you so much. Dear, this is been a really interesting
year for this because I I used to
Believe that we had this year of invincibility were
climate. Change was concerned. I used to think to myself
next to a large body of freshwater were not on the coasts.
We're in a great spot. And I feel like this past summer for
me, really shattered that veneer when I saw that, you can
be in the center of the country and still have the worst
air quality in the world's depending on
How winds blow where fires are elsewhere.
I forgot to get YouTube + 60. Like sometimes when I talk
about this work, I think about what she has felt like this
summer. And then I go home to someone who inevitably,
hopefully is going to be my age, and I think about the
world, but she's going to live in and climate change is
remarkable because it's like a investment. We make have a
snowball effect. The more we invest upfront, the more we
are cruises benefits down the road and I will speak. So
highly for the planning and the Investments that happened
over the last four years. Under your leadership. We hadn't
had a climate action plan and effective, measurable
actionable. Climate action plan in more than a decade in
Chicago, and I'm really proud
Put in place.
put in place under your leadership we made sleep on this
sometimes when we made the largest single investment in the
city's history and environmental justice and we don't talk
about that and now I feel like enough credit was not
claimed for that in the last administration's leadership
and I know that's not on you because you're work of that
investment where where I hope we really
We?
Really work hard. And this is a reflection of why we also
have new leadership for this committee is that the policies
that guide and sustain and promote that work in the
long-term to to set our path to like, put our future on
Rails. I see what other cities have done successfully and
effectively and thankfully Chicago in a way does not need
to innovate. We need to copy and paste and adjust to make
this really beautiful future for
Ourselves, our children Seven Generations, hence and that
is a piece of work. That I'm really really excited to do
with you and I'm excited to support you because I know from
your resume from our conversations. We have not scratched
the surface of everything that you have to offer the city.
So I'm really glad to be here to vote on your confirmation.
Thank you. Thank you, sir. Thank you, Autumn and Lopez.
Good morning, chairman, good morning, members of the
committee. Good morning, Miss Tovar.
Thank you for software reaching out. I believe we were
finally able to connect about 2 weeks ago, which is
unfortunate, considering you've been in this role for quite
some time and it's the first time I've ever heard from you,
as someone is not part of the new class. But from last
class ship from two classes to go free classes ago, come to
think of it. Let me ask you this.
I do.
I don't think anybody on this Committee in this Council.
buy a
Buying large in this city disagrees, that climate change is
real. That there are environmental issues that we need to
address. And that unfortunately, Chicago is not immune from
the effects of other people's decisions and the realities
in their cities or even their countries as we saw this
summer with the Canadian wildfires, impeding our own health
here in the city of Chicago.
What? I want to focus more on is leadership.
I will.
I would ask.
Then I would say that.
Leadership requires Integrity. Does it not?
Yeah.
Yes.
Yes, it does.
It requires a belief in fats.
Nah.
Not in.
Not narrative. Correct? Yes, that is correct. The requires
true collaboration with our partners. Correct and requires.
Having a long-term Vision along with dealing with
short-term problems. Correct.
And it requires an understanding that decisions have
outcomes especially ones that were not necessarily planned
but being able to address them as we don't correct. Yes.
I'm glad that you say yes to all of them.
But it.
But it's been my experience and watching you over the past
few years to see that.
The practicality.
Of your answers today. Don't necessarily match your history
here.
When it comes to Integrity first and foremost I know that
you have, in fact been a champion for many of the
environmental justice issues that were probably most
notable during the last four years. When we're dealing with
the mat Asphalt in the 12 might nearby 12 for my neighbor
and 12:40, I know that you were what quite vocal in dealing
with the air quality ordinance, that my other neighbor in
the 11th, ward and I and others, collaborated on. And then,
I also know that you were again, quite vocal in dealing
with the issues of General iron in the 10th Ward, which is
not my neighbor. But so far end of the city
and,
And I know that.
and,
in dealing with all of those issues specifically,
we saw what I commonly saw happen in the last
Administration and I don't know if that was the value that
was instituted from the top down, but we saw where the
end of
And all.
And always justify the means.
To get to a desired outcome and in each one of those
situations, whether it was Air Quality Asphalt or general
iron, we saw where the local Alderman, people who sat in
these chairs. For all of you who are now in these chairs
worked with the administration work with your office, to
try and address and mitigate issues only to find out that
all of their conversations between them their office, you
and the administration was being shared and distributed
with environmental justice groups were in direct
opposition.
Do you?
To the office of the alderman, or the mayor or were being
fed information to use as web to weaponize information
against the local out.
We seen, we're even from your own words before this Council
in the committee on Zoning, for example, where you were
less than truthful in your discussions with Alderman. And
when you contacted Alderman, about matters as a relates,
anything that was going on in their Ward,
So that concerns me as we're looking backwards, to see how
we're going to move forward.
When?
When we talked about collaboration, it has never been my
feeling and seeing how we're dealing with many of the
issues. Now, it only in those words. But throughout the
city that were truly committed to Bringing business
industry and those other partners outside of the
environmental justice Universe to the table. And we still
see the remnants of that. Now, as we look at, as we saw, I
believe, Madame chairman in our last meeting. Correct me if
I'm wrong about the cumulative impact study were questions
about how you could have pillars of a study together, that
completely were devoid of actual representatives of the
impacted Industries.
I see that we are.
Try.
Trying to seize the moment trying to Grass many of these
short-term victories. Like we talked about the inflation
reduction acting like we talked about no decarbonization
which I know is looming somewhere in the background here
and we talked about all of these other impactful and highly
expensive items, I don't necessarily believe that we're
looking at the long-term effects of what this is going to
do. Not only for those who are in industry but those that
are impacted the home buyers this restaurant or is the
businesses of small. Mom and Pops are going to have to
adjust to having a thousand dollars or more added to their
utility bills. If you were to decarbonise the entire city
of Chicago, I don't necessarily think we are thinking
Of those.
Of those individuals in our conversations, I think we are
committed to this end, which is a Greener cleaner, Chicago,
while forgetting that there is Steps A through Z to get to
that point that have to be reconciled, especially starting
in the neighborhoods.
And I think nowhere is that more evident than when I look at
what happened with General iron.
An industrial area on the 10th Ward.
That was modernizing that was upgrading its facility to
become the most dynamic and clean facility.
In.
In the region is not the country.
only to find its permits yanked at the last minute, even
though we allowed it to continue and gave the original
blessings to move forward and now finding itself with
millions and vested unable to open
Cancel the opening up the city of Chicago to a
multimillion-dollar lawsuit because of the decisions they
are in.
I,
I have concerns Madam chairman, I have concerns, not in the
mission.
Put in.
Put in the means and we need leadership that understands
that Integrity fax collaboration vision and understanding
matter. And that they have to be universally applied that
they has to be a commitment to them. Even when the facts
don't necessarily meet with the end, our that we want,
and if we are,
And if we are going to truly move the city in the right
direction, then that's where our leaders have to focus.
It's easy for all of us to get wrapped up in the mission.
But at the end, your credibility will be.
Death.
Dessa.
Decimated.
If that is called into question and I don't think that in
your eagerness to achieve those goals. You want to see that
happened to your reputation. These questions shouldn't be
there. It should be able to say quite easily and simply
yes, you you are someone I can trust working with. And
right now for me that is in question. Thank you. Madam
chairman.
Thank.
Thank you autumn in Lopez Roman Cruz.
Thank you, madam chair. I just want to see Angela,
congratulations. I'm just want to say that. I bet your
parents. Your family is very proud to have, you be the
chief assistant ability officer for the city of Chicago?
Don't want to tell you what? I'll do. Some of my residents,
tell me be kind to yourself at the end of the day or a
daughter, your sister or family member your friend. But we
are here because we want to serve the city of Chicago and
we our hearts are here because we wanted represent and want
to do what is best for the setting. So, I just want to
again, say, thank you for you work. You have
doing what I
Doing but also thank you for reaching out to me meeting with
me and having their great conversation to learn more about
yourself. But also to talk about the things that we want to
see, not only in the 30th Ward, but also in the city of
Chicago. But for me is just saying that and I look forward
to work with you and develop a great partnership again, to
protect our environment. I know I have reached out to
others that know you fart. More time is the incoming
freshman and seeing that, you know, the work you have done.
People have a child that speaks very highly of you. I'm
working with it. You know, renewable energy. Making sure
there's climate environment, Justice and Equity being one
of your priorities. But what else? What else, how how can
we help Angela to to do better when she's doing? What are
some of the initiatives? We can help her and one of the
mutual responses was resources.
Reese.
Resources for her to push the climate action plan. Do you
understand? There's times that we have so much it, we want
to do but also we got to see what we're resources, that we
have whatever we can be, you know, an asset for you and the
getting, you know as much as help you need us. Well, this
is a mutual relationship. So if there is any time that I
have some concerns or, you know, if you're straight away, I
will personally reach out to you because I think you
deserve that as well. But if ice verse of theirs,
thing that you feel, I'm not
Thing that you feel, I'm not carrying my weight on certain
things that you also reach out to me and talk about the
things that we want to do. But overall again, you said you
have a shared vision and I think we share, I want to speak
with her myself. I'd share it with you and I just can't
just wanted to say congratulations. Don't forget. I always
forget. One detail will be kind to yourself but again just
because we were so committed. But congratulations,
felicidades. I think I have 25 million.
Thank.
Thank you next Up With God, all the Roman Ramirez,
Alderman, picture Lopez Autumn, and I'll hop and worth. And
then we've got Alderman waguespack. I also want to
recognize Alderman, Cardona, okay. If I share Knudsen, any
other committee members that want to speak before we get to
non committee members just a patch, on the list. All right,
I'll do Amy Ramirez. Hi everyone. Good morning, officer tow
bar as much as I would love to claim you as a saltwater.
I'm just so happy that somebody from the South Side.
Somebody that has lived through a lot of the disarray of
our environment. Whether it be on the south side or the
southwest side is in this position. I want to really thank
you as a new member that you bring a lot of compassion to
the work. I'm your very present. You have brought a lot of
wisdom. Whenever I ask you a question, you happen to be
five steps ahead and so thank you so much. I am really a
Headed to work.
Headed to work with you as a resident of the 12th Ward, and
to better serve the city of Chicago. So, congratulations.
She?
She is a 12 Ford resident. Yeah, from the 10th. Ward lives
in the 12th. Ward Alderman picture. Looks like she's not in
Chambers will come back to him in Manhattan worth.
Thank you, Cheri. I officer, I wanted to express my first
day of my gratitude for your team, for showing up, and for
your partner's who spoke on behalf of your work earlier, it
takes it so much to put together a plan and has a new
person and city council hydralyte a lot on the climate
action plan. To look at the possible. Blueprint for
Chicago, moving forward and as somebody who was born in the
10th Ward and now resides in Edgewater Andersonville,
Uptown is where the 48th Ward is, I'm excited to work with
you because I know that you're going to put Equity at the
center of all that you do. And I know that your work is
intersectional. I'm a mother of three kids and
they want to, and
They want to Envision a world that their kids can also live
in. I know that you have been working very hard. I'm I'm
very grateful that we had a conversation about our shared
vision for Chicago and moving forward. I look forward to
working with your team and I just congratulate you on this
opportunity that you are expressing interest in cuz we need
leadership like you, thank you.
Thank.
Thank you. I'm automatic tell Lopez.
Thank.
Thank you that your woman and Thursday meme.
Thank.
Thanks for the service of mr. Bar, in the sustainability
office, it is clear that the city of Chicago needs to
restore the department of the environment, so that we have
the necessary tools to address the, the big challenges that
we have in terms of environmental justice climbing,
boiling. I think today we are even from the UN that we are
in a verge of a catastrophe interest in the environment. So
for those of us who
Billy.
Believe.
Believe that we must leave the world in better shape that we
found it to the next-generation. I cannot think of a more
important task that having them going to be office that
will turn. And I'm confident. The Mayor Johnson will help
us push to get a department of the environment. I just got
just a question in terms of
What?
what we have learned ride and he's in the time they being
in the sustainability office that we can help us address.
Right. I think and I hear some more colleagues that said
that many of us understand the urgency of his work. But I
tell you that in many of our industrial corridors that Dad
is not the case. And there are polluters that bush with big
money to stop legislation and to Stop Believin to restore
depart the department of the environment. So just a quick
question, I'm happy to support your appointment. We know
and we have discussed the importance of the community
impact framework, to get rid of their sacrifices owns a
day. In 2023, is a shame that we still have sacrificed
zones where we have to choose from either jobs, or I can
hear for kids when we know that we can have both. So those
files like I'm coming from the place.
Diarrhea plays Marie on faces, right? Those are the
polluters and corporations that must be tax out. And my my
question to you is what is your bitching terms on basil?
Would you learn that we can guide us in the next four years
to make the decisions that that we must stay locally to be
an example of what can be done as you mention here. So that
we can be an example and an example to the country.
So, thank you for that and I and I will just start by
saying yes. You know, I think often times when we talk
about sustainability and mitigating environmental justice,
we talked about the urgency, but I think we also have to
talk about the intentionality. We have an opportunity here
in the city of Chicago to really transform our systems. And
I think that that's what the cumulative impacts process.
Brings we did an analysis early on a couple years back with
an air quality. In Health Report they told us that area is
environmental, justice communities, we're more vulnerable
to air quality. If you have a high volume of industry or if
you live in close proximity to a major highway that you are
more likely to suffer, right? And that you are more
vulnerable to the additional pollution, to increase the
admission. And I think we needed to expand on that study,
right? Which is why we came in together to talk about
cumulative impacts it is narrow in scope to just think
about
Volume.
Quality phone number ability, we need to think about social
health and all environmental. Indicators collectively to
really get a firm picture of how we proceed in our
environmental justice Community East tonight. I know that
and you know, we have talked to you about this and of
course, you know, you have been a vocal supporter and an
advocate in this space as well. And it is that clear
picture that I think will really build a road map for how
we intentionally address environmental justice inner-city,
it is a very big table of people. It is going to require
the voice in the Olympics. Save people on the front lines,
of course. And as you know we've been working in
partnership with those folks but in addition to that it is
going to have require very tough conversation and important
conversation right with folks that have not Integrated
Health and environmental practices in their businesses. It
is going to require us thinking about where we can apply
new
turn.
The real.
It really catalyzed, the green economy. And I think that if
we maximize this opportunity right now with Federal
funding, I do think that that is a long-term strategy. We
are talking about investment were talking about job growth.
We have to build the green economy and a regenerative
system in our city to show people. That there is a better
way that there is a path forward. This is a false choice,
right? You don't have to pursue an economy. That's
extracted.
The.
that you can pursue jobs that pay or
That you can pursue jobs that prioritize People's Health in
order to sustain a neighborhood in the long-term and I'm
very committed to that. I know that we've spent time with
Business Leaders in the context of decarbonization in the
context of community impact assessments. And I know that
there are many folks that are on board with that Vision And
for those that aren't we have to bring them along. We can't
leave anyone behind here. We can't have a situation where
we prioritized sustainability for just a few that has been
the national landscape on sustainability today, right? The
urgency of climate change. We have to drastically reduce
our mission and let's focus on her commercial building
sector, right? That's, that's how sustainability was
approached for many years. We we no longer have that
luxury. Everyone has to be successful here everyone. And I
think that we can build systems and continue to coordinate
and collaborate to really Drive New investments in our
city. And to really build that healthy green.
Turn.
time me, for
Economy forward and I think that that will be we will be a
model for the country and what that looks like and what
that transition looks like. Thank you. Thank you again, and
have a job and work democracy to be sustained. As you said,
we must have both size are the table. I mean, to me is
clear the industries that the fossil fuel industry will not
listen, unless.
We've.
We put.
We put a strong legislation in place right now. So, I agreed
that the urgency is, I'm bringing everybody to the table,
understanding that their interests are there who still
fight. And then I find boiling is not even claiming warming
anymore. This is climate boiling, what's happening? So I
think that these is the urgency for us to restore the
department of the environment. I know that they are as
there are businesses who are committed to the city of
Chicago. There are a few. Unfortunately they are committed
only to profit and when we put profit over their well-being
over communities within the devastating effects of that,
sat with her, she'll go we have had so many tragedies, so I
think things like that will push by to make sure that we
have corporations multibillion-dollar corporations. I still
cook. All the tables are, they should is going to rain in 4
years that have not even have the dignity to have a meeting
with our community to discuss access to the river to
discuss, how we can really be good. Neighbors again,
They are a.
There are apps.
They are absolutely good people and a good people who
understand the investment in our community. There are few
that have not gotten the message and that's what we do.
Department of the environment. Thank you. Thank you. I sure
couldn't send
Play Juju.
Major and I want to say congratulations. CSO Tovar, your
name is come up and so many meetings that my team has had
over the last few weeks and I'll always in a really
positive way. There's no understating the importance of
this role, I think, especially during a time where we do
not yet have a department of the environment but for
similar structure to that, but for all intensive purposes,
we need to be operating as though we did and that puts a
lot of pressure and stress on on your team. So I appreciate
you bringing up just the thought of maximizing the federal
funding that we may have the opportunity to get now because
we don't know how long that opportunity will exist. I hope
you use us for as resources during the budgeting process
and, and otherwise to advocate for you all to better be
able to do your work. I think one thing that often comes up
in conversation. I have with climate activist.
it's just
It's just that.
It's just that we're not really doing much of a job at all
in enforcement and that is a reality. When there's not a
designated department where when we put enforcement on the
other departments that have massive portfolios, this might
be falling from the Wayside and there's a good argument
that this is just as important, if not more than other of
the things that we enforce do. You know, I know a bunch of
priorities and I think ones. Hopefully, we lean in
Turn.
During these next few years.
During these next few years, the decarbonization of our
built environment. I think it's really something that's
important that we leaned in on in and get something past
Innovative policy to get to cut greenhouse gas emissions. I
think that there's a lot or city can do even looking at
what other cities have done, so that every single
individual residents City of Chicago is a part of cutting
it in their day-to-day lives. Looking at different routes
to put pressure on good behavior, whether it's Taxation.
And if we talked a lot about, but in budget season even
last year, about the city's Fleet going electric, but we
know there's huge corporations profiting in our City
operating in our city and delivery. And otherwise that
we're not putting the same amount of pressure on when it
comes to their Fleet, that splooting all of us including
our neighborhood isn't directly into our kids in, in
children's surrounding. So we need to be Innovative. I am
here to support your team in, in any way because I know
you're small
Small. And
Small in Mighty. So we really all need to be there to
assist you. And then I thank you for taking on this this
usual. Thank you. So it was a pleasure talking to you the
other day in regards to my concerns in the 24th Ward and
the air quality and the
The massive.
The massive dumping that we continue to have and the 24th
Ward. And, you know, I think that working together and I
don't know, like all the mechanism just said, Stricker find
the ordinances. I know that you're not working with the
different departments, to help that because it is a really,
really huge concern. And when you have a bunch of dumping
and a bunch of
Garth.
Garber.
Garbage that's sitting and sitting and that just causes the
eyes. Like I said, I've read that 24th. Ward has the worst
air quality. And so, how are we going to, you know,
circumvent that and how can we make that better for the
residents of in the 24th Ward and the wars that are next
door to me? And those are things that I did speak with you
about that. I use me for experiments because it is a huge,
huge concern. I mean, I am, I don't know what other people
do but I ride my ride. My streets every day and I find
things every day that I just deplorable and things that are
sitting things that are just riding things are just making
the neighbor sick. And so these are things that I want to
continue to work with. You. Look forward to the to you and
the and you're appointed position and can't wait to start
working.
I want a.
I want to recognize our vice mayor Walter Burnett. But next
up, we have Alderman waguespack and then I'll bring her.
Why?
Wagga sacrifices her own just wanted to say congratulations
as well. I know we worked on many issues over the years,
but I also want to recognize your staff and a lot of the
staff at her. You know, I'm saying every day we're doing
yeoman's work, just around the city and different
departments. People who may, or may not have been in the
environmental Department back. When it started when I was
here early on, you know, I think it's gone through fits and
starts, but I hope to see that move forward as well. And
then I'll let you know, just a lot of the issues that
people have spoken about, I think are a very important.
There's probably a myriad of other ones that haven't been
mentioned today. You know, the tree, canopy water
conservation, but I would also suggest we strongly push for
collaboration with the other agencies, like the park
district. And CPS know, a lot of us deal with the issues of
CPS campuses are school campuses.
I need transformation.
I need transformation and we've been doing that, but more
collaboration there with all fam and the park district to
tackle, a lot of these issues will go a long way. So, along
with that, I just want to say thank you to you. All of your
staff and all those unseen workers in the city of Chicago
were really doing a great job, trying to move the city
forward. So congratulations and look forward to the full
city council boat. Thank you, thank you for women.
First of all, want to come in the mail, your appointment. I
think there's a great appointment, you know, one of those
couple of things dealing with the environment that we have
challenges with his noise, right? So, you know, after after
we got rid of the department, we didn't have nowhere to go
to deal with its noise, right? And so now, I'm glad that,
you know, you're back in place, we got somebody is active,
we need to figure out how to deal with noise complaints,
you know, and we get a minute, several different ways. One
from sound from music, one from construction noise, one
from construction site, starting up early, all of those
things that that we have to attend to and will be wanting
to talk to you about that. Also, you know what a great
thing is that your department needs to be in charge
What?
Was the Green Court?
Was a greencore, I know you'll be back engage with Dad and
they help a lot of returning residents to get employment
and, and, and do things throughout the city. I went to
several graduations. I hope we can enhance that a little
more and get whatever I can do to help with that. I
appreciate it. I know you are used to have an office in my
ward. I don't know if it's still there. I'm going to
Sacramento. Are you still there or not? So you move. Sweet.
We are here downtown. So you are everything is downtown. Oh
okay. So so definitely. I want to see what I can do to
help. Enhance the greencore, I think that's a great
program, you know, a lot of the guys go through that and
they end up owning their own businesses and doing well. And
a lot of men. Doing a lot of volunteer work for the folks
throughout the community. Dealing with, are they
landscaping and everything and I really helps to change
people's lives. So
so,
So, I look forward to working with you on that and end in
dealing with the sound in the noise. Of course, you know, I
have a couple of places in my water at Prairie, which is a
longtime concrete company. Does a lot of business with the
city, and I have a game, which is a asphalt company. That
does a lot of business in the city deal, with most of our
Asphalt, in our concrete, throughout the city of Chicago,
one of the thing,
That myself. And
That myself in the residence in that Community. They've
been able to live amongst each other for years cuz first
they were there then the residents came right and they've
been able to live amongst each other for years and and you
know, funny thing is in my neighborhood, the residents, try
to protect those companies from other residential coming
around now, I'm and try to design things where where people
won't have an adverse effect on each other, right? What is
the residents have an adverse effect on them, but this dumb
have an adverse effect on the residence. So I like to sit
down and talk about those things. Cuz I know that these two
companies are very important to the city Chicago cuz we get
a lot of asphalt and concrete from both of them right now.
Only us. But for the concrete porch and a lot of developers
throughout the city, get the concrete things over there and
in and all of them get they stuff shipped to the river.
in a
Nnnn, they get the boxes. I got you call it by, just off
the river to bring some of their material, sit down and my
dustrial community is very concerned about them. So I got
the the encroachment of industrial residential right next
to each other, but they've been my community is great cuz
they've all been learning how to live amongst each other.
But I like to have a further conversation with you about
that. And then so that we can
think about things that
Think about things that's happening in the future cuz it's
like kitty kitty corner from the casino, right? So so I'd
like to talk to you about that and some of the other
infrastructure work this happening around there. Okay. Look
forward to working with you. Congratulations.
Thank you.
All right, I guess I'll I'll thank all my colleagues for
your comments, your questions and your words of advice
moving into this position for another term. Also extend my
thanks to accepting the call for service to continue as
many of my colleagues said, for many of us for many of the
generation younger than us. This is some of the most
pressing work, right? Setting up Chicago for the future, by
taking this, not just a response to climate change, but
also the
part.
partner.
Partnership of this lens of environmental justice in
health. Raid it like everything we're doing here is about
being able to live here. You know, I've listened to you
talk about growing up in the 10th Ward, living in the 12th.
Ward. I think that your personal experiences Sprite help to
put you in the same category of many of our activists
leaders that spoke today of having the real live experience
but also the commitment to the city and wanting to live
here.
You.
you know, I like, oh,
You know, I like, oh my colleagues comments. As well as we
we do. Have you. No Business Leaders and Industry that we
need. I think it'll be interesting to dig into vice-mayor
bernat's examples of. What? What does coexistence look like
right in the spaces. But I really thank you for
volunteering to continue this work because while it's the
most important, it's going to be very challenging Alderman
Lopez. You know as you spoke about different qualities of
leadership thing that came to mine is, you know, how, How
We Do Anything Is How We Do everything. So how we work
together in, this isn't just going to be for, for you, it's
for your team, but also every term, and especially under
leadership changes were. So I think given the challenge to
do better, to find Creative Solutions, but of course,
always hold our values.
To.
two of
To our chests in our brain, when we're making our decision.
So, I'm excited about your continued leadership because I
believe that you do, hold those values of Integrity, very
close and dear to you, I know I've had great experiences
working with you and your team and I think your leadership
for this team and with this body with this committee with
the city council and every single member in it with all of
our partners outside,
Council on, we've got very difficult work to continue and I
appreciate you being willing to lead that work with us
with. No further comments, can I get a motion to recommend
approval of this item? All right. I'm going to take
alderwoman clay, so moves all those in favor of passing the
appointment respond by saying, I
All.
all those opposed say, nay
Any.
And the opinion of the chair, the eyes, have it, the motion
passes and I look forward to continuing this next week for
you.
So I will report this photo as a recommendation to pass at
the next city council on September to March 13th 2023. That
concludes the items before the committee today, before we
conclude, she told her. You want to say anything.
I ate.
It is overwhelming and very heartening to hear all of your
comments. And I want to just thank you all for taking the
time to show up in a thunderstorm to support the 3
appointment. And I will just say that, you know, I, I do
believe in it collaboration and I, and I hope that I can
prove that we that you do have a partner and me, I think
that everyone in this committee does, I would like to
extend my hand personally and to say, let's change this
outcome. I do
Leave.
Leaving.
Leaving a strong partnership with everybody here. I'm very
excited as at the prospect of working with this committee
to see activity to hear to hear about, everyone's
priorities and your passion. For this work on. This is long
overdue, right? We have been convened like this at the
committee for a very long time. So just thankful for your
leadership here and for folks that have committed
themselves to working together in Partnership, I think that
there are a really exciting sweet of policies that will
come through this term and I think we can get their
collectively. So just very committed to working with you
all, with our partners, with the business Community with
everyone, to make sure that we see success here. So,
grateful to you all for being here in for your vote of
confidence today. And then, of course, thank you for
recognizing my team. As you all know, they work hard
everyday.
Thank you with there, being no further business, before the
committee may have the motion to adjourn Alderman, Lopez
sew moves. I already know objections. So order the meeting
of the committee on Environmental Protection, energy is now
adjourned, 11:15.