The Illinois Environmental Council Releases First Chicago City Council Scorecard, Recognizes Green Champions at Mid-term
(CHICAGO) – Today, the Illinois Environmental Council (IEC) released its inaugural Chicago City Council Environmental Scorecard, which scores each sitting Chicago City Council alderperson based on the environmental impact of their voting record over the last two years.
For over 40 years, IEC has released a popular annual scorecard detailing the environmental effectiveness of state legislators serving in the Illinois General Assembly. Building on that legacy, IEC’s new Chicago-focused scorecard empowers Chicagoans to hold their alderpersons accountable for their voting record on pressing environmental issues.
“Educating voters is key to building power for people and the environment, and this new Chicago City Council scorecard will be a powerful tool in the hands of voters as they evaluate their alderpersons,” said Jen Walling, executive director of the Illinois Environmental Council. “In particular, this scorecard shines a light on issues occurring in environmental justice communities, such as the General Iron/RMG permit and Hilco implosion. It’s important for alderpersons that support the environment broadly to support environmental protection in every community in Chicago.”
At their mid-term, nine of the 50 serving alderpersons were recognized for their 100% voting record on issues ranging from declaring a climate emergency to bird-friendly building design:
Ald. Daniel La Spata (1st Ward)
Ald. Anthony Beale (9th Ward)
Ald. Jeanette Taylor (20th Ward)
Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez (25th Ward)
Ald. Rossana Rodriguez-Sanchez (33rd Ward)
Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa (35th Ward)
Ald. Andre Vasquez Jr. (40th Ward)
Ald. Matt Martin (47th Ward)
Ald. Maria Hadden (49th Ward)
“The nine alderspersons receiving a 100% score and those designated as ‘Green Champions’ have engaged with us on critical environmental issues; used their power and influence to safeguard our people and our environment; and have been environmental leaders in the Chicago City Council over the last two years,” Walling added.
The report also recognizes additional alderpersons as “Green Champions” for their outstanding leadership on environmental issues distinct from their voting record.
“This scorecard demonstrates the increased influence of our environmental community in the city of Chicago and signals that we intend to continue growing the number of green champions in the city council through education, relationship building and bridging the gap between community voices and their alderperson,” said Iyana Simba, clean water policy director at IEC.
IEC plans to release this scorecard biannually. Click here to see the official 2021 scorecard. An archive of past state-level environmental scorecards can be found on IEC’s website here.
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Illinois Environmental Council
Since 1975, the Illinois Environmental Council (IEC) has worked to safeguard Illinois—its people, its plants and animals, and the natural systems on which all life depends by building power for people and the environment. Representing over 100 environmental organizations in the state, IEC carries out its mission to advance public policies that create healthy environments across Illinois through education, advocacy and movement building.