Dear neighbors,
Now that I've returned from parental leave, I'm excited to get back to work on the Green Council and continue pushing forward the many initiatives we've started as a group. In recent months, we've completed a successful native plant sale, a 47th Ward TreeKeepers chapter started work to care for local trees, the Northcenter Neighborhood Association recycling popup continues to grow, and we're working on planting pollinators at Sulzer Library.
There's been no shortage of news at the city level, either. The Urban Forestry Advisory Board passed City Council, marking a victory for tree advocates in the city. Working groups focused on the city's decarbonization efforts are meeting, including several 47th Ward residents involved with our Green Council. And, we anticipate the release of the long-awaited city waste stream study.
The next Green Council general meeting is at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, August 5. We plan to debrief the city's release of its waste study (anticipated this week) and talk about what recommendations we can organize around. Click the button below to register and receive the Zoom meeting information.
Thanks, and hope to see you soon!
-Michael Sewall
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Join Ald. Martin and Ald. Daniel La Spata of the 1st Ward for a conversation about some of the upcoming climate solutions that are being worked on in City Council. The discussion will include the decarbonization of buildings, electric vehicle infrastructure, and a green bank for Chicago.
Alds. La Spata and Martin will be on hand along with climate and clean energy experts from the Illinois Environmental Council to field your questions, listen to your ideas, and share with you the very latest on climate solutions at the city level.
The event begins at 6 p.m. Thursday, July 15. This event is free and open to all! You must register to receive access to the Zoom event link. Questions? Contact iec@ilenviro.org.
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Do you want to get involved with the Green Council? We have several working groups that are planning various events and initiatives; read more below. We communicate in between meetings via Google Groups that allows you to set how frequently you hear from others. If you'd like to join a working group's Google Group, email greencouncil47@gmail.com.
July Working Group Meetings
47th Ward TreeKeepers Chapter
The Green Council is excited to be working with Openlands to organize a 47th Ward TreeKeepers chapter for residents who have completed the Openlands TreeKeepers program!
This group will host monthly workdays to help care for trees in our local parks and survey less mature parkway trees planted by the city to ensure they're getting the mulch and water needed. Thank you to Openlands and the 47th Ward residents who got this program going! The 47th Ward TreeKeepers began surveying trees last week, and they're planning a workday at Clark Park on July 31. If you haven't gone through the TreeKeepers program, you are welcome to join to help with other cleanup tasks. Register here!
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Municipal and Legislative Updates |
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Chicago Energy Town Hall and Public Feedback
For the first time in 30 years, the City has the opportunity to update its electricity agreement to meet the 21st century needs of our city. Join the conversation to learn more about the city’s electricity franchise and this opportunity to set more ambitious goals around safe and reliable service, greater transparency from our electricity utility, reducing costly electricity bills on low-income households, reaching the City’s climate and resiliency goals.
The town hall is at 6 p.m. next Monday, July 19 on Zoom. Register here.
The city invites residents to offer input on the future electricity franchise. Comments should be sent to FranchiseFeedback@cityofchicago.org by 4 p.m. July 30. Click here for a list of suggested prompts to help those wishing to submit responses. For alternate languages and more information, go to the Request for Information Franchise for Electricity Delivery page.
Building Decarbonization Working Group
Chicago has recently convened a Building Decarbonization Working Group to help craft recommendations that will dramatically reduce emissions from the built environment. Currently, buildings account for 70% of Chicago's greenhouse gas emissions, and the city must reduce its energy consumption in buildings to meet its long-term climate goals. Included on the working groups are several 47th Ward Green Council members!
- Aaron Durnbaugh, Loyola University Chicago
- Joel Freehling, APTIM
- Stacey Paradis, Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance
The working group will recommend policies and programs for an equity-focused building emission reduction strategy that lowers economic burdens on residents and businesses, reduces energy insecurity for communities of color, and uses an equity lens to assess the cost and impact of these strategies. This effort will lead to a significant step towards the City’s commitment to the Paris Climate Agreement and power 100% of buildings citywide with renewable energy by 2035. Learn more here.
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Urban Forestry Advisory Board Passes!
We're excited that the Urban Forestry Advisory Board has passed City Council! Thank you to all the 47th Ward residents and Green Council members who advocated on behalf of this ordinance. Ald. Martin was a proud co-sponsor of this ordinance since its introduction.
The board will create an urban forestry management plan, assess policies and expenditures related to forestry, recommend legislation, make a list of protected “heritage” trees, and lead a public education program about the benefits of trees. Read more from Openlands.
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100% Environmental Scorecard
Ald. Martin was recognized with a 100% environmental score in the Illinois Environmental Council's inaugural Chicago City Council scorecard. He was one of 11 alders to rate 100%.
The scorecard rated alders based on their votes and positions on environmental issues. Such issues included bird-friendly building design, increased fines for polluters, and denying the General Iron permit.
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Plastic Free July
It's Plastic Free July! The month is halfway over, but you can still make a major impact by reducing your use of plastic—now and moving beyond this month. Plastic Free July is a global movement that shares tips and tricks to help people eliminate plastics. Take the challenge here!
In Chicago and the 47th Ward, there are many ways to take part—here are a few ideas:
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More Events & Volunteer Opportunities |
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NNA Recycling Pop-Up
Join the Northcenter Neighborhood Association (NNA) for its next Recycling Pop-Up on Saturday, July 17, 9 a.m.-12 p.m. at the Northcenter Town Square, located at Damen/Belle Plaine inside of the Northcenter Farmers Market.
NNA collects common household items that aren't accepted in the city's blue recycling carts, and then recycle or donate those items through various programs. From Barbie dolls to beauty products, cookware to contact lenses, NNA is helping reduce the number of items sent to the landfill.
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Save Your Ash
Have you noticed these signs posted on ash trees around the neighborhood? While the Bureau of Forestry no longer treats trees against the Emerald Ash Borer, neighbors are organizing to save the ash trees in the area.
The Heart of Lincoln Square Neighbors (HOLS) raised over $32,000 to help treat ash trees in the neighborhood; thank you to everyone involved! Learn more here. The Northcenter Neighborhood Association (NNA) is also participating in the Save Your Ash campaign. Donate to NNA here.
Support the Clark Park Nature Play
The Nature Play Space at Clark Park is a long planned and anticipated new feature of the park. Community members, businesses, elected officials, the Chicago Park District, social and athletic organizations have come together to financially support this dream. The goal is to raise $75,000, and the Chicago Park District provided a $10,000 starting grant. Learn more and donate here. Want to get more involved? Join the Clark Park Advisory Council for its next meeting at 6 p.m. Tuesday, July 20 at 3130 N Rockwell. RSVP by emailing ClarkParkAdvisoryCouncil@gmail.com.
Welles Park Cleanup Days
The Welles Park Advisory Council hosts a monthly cleanup event sponsored by the Chicago Parks Foundation. The next cleanup is at 9 a.m. Saturday, July 24, and it runs monthly on the fourth Saturday. The foundation provides tools and supplies; you just need to show up! RSVP here.
Sunnyside Savanna Volunteer Days
Join us each month for a volunteer day at the Sunnyside Savanna, part of the expanded Montrose Metra Community Gardens! We meet on the 1st of each month. If that falls on a weekday, our work hours are roughly 5:30pm to sunset. If it's on a weekend, it's 10:30am to 12:30pm. The next volunteer day is at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, August 1.
The Sunnyside Savanna is a black oak savanna garden previously maintained by the American Indian Center. It features more than 70 native species, fantastic biodiversity, a walking path, and community seating. We hope you'll join us as we take on stewardship of this unique space! Meet at the seating area located in the embankment between Wilson and Sunnyside on the west side of the Metra tracks. Dress for the weather and wear closed-toe shoes. We recommend bringing a reusable water bottle. All are welcome! Please RSVP to MontroseMetraGardens@gmail.com or on Facebook.
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More News and Events Around the City
Cleanup Club Chicago - Thank you to the volunteers of Cleanup Club Chicago, who collected over 400 pounds of trash (including 4.5 shopping carts) from the Chicago River during a kayak cleanup near Clark Park last month. If you want to get involved, join Cleanup Club Chicago on Facebook or email CleanupClubChicago@gmail.com.
Drinking Water 1-2-3 - Join the Metropolitan Planning Council to learn about lead service line replacements in Illinois. 10 a.m. July 15 | Register
Democratize ComEd 101 - Learn more about your current electric utility and what a municipal utility could look like in the city. 1 p.m. July 24 | Register
Chicago Conservation Corps Orientations - Registration for this fall’s Chicago Conservation Corps Sustainability Leadership Training is now open! Orientations will take place online, with one in-person opportunity, August 17-25. | Register
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Paid for by Friends of Matt Martin. |
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