(CHICAGO) – Today, the Illinois Environmental Council (IEC) released its 2023 Mayoral Report and 2023 Chicago City Council Environmental Scorecard.
With a range of environmental issues arising throughout a Chicago mayoral term, IEC’s 2023 Mayoral Report lays out key recommendations across a wide range of environmental issues for the city’s leader during the next Mayoral term. From bold climate action to fixes that would improve the city’s transportation system, this report outlines steps the mayor ought to take to champion Chicago’s people and environment. Read the report here.
“While the past few years have brought some considerable environmental wins, such as divesting city funds from fossil fuels and passing a budget with the largest one-time investment in the environment in city history, there is, of course, work that remains to be done,” said Iyana Simba, city programs director at IEC. “Chicago is still without a permanent Department of Environment, for example, and despite the 2021 passage of the Climate & Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA), Chicago must get aggressive about reducing its citywide carbon pollution, with electrifying buildings being the next major opportunity to do so. This report outlines those recommendations and more.”
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 Chicago-focused scorecard empowers Chicagoans to hold their alderpersons accountable for their voting record on pressing environmental issues impacting the city.
“Educating voters is key to building power for people and the environment, and this Chicago City Council scorecard will be a powerful tool in the hands of voters as they evaluate their alderperson’s performance,” said Jen Walling, executive director of the Illinois Environmental Council. “In particular, this scorecard comes weeks ahead of Chicago elections, where Chicagoans will be electing representation in the City Council and Mayor’s office. We hope the 2023 Chicago City Council Scorecard will help voters to decide who deserves their support.”
Eight of the 50 serving alderpersons were recognized as “Green Champions” for their 100% voting record for the duration of this most recent term on issues ranging from divesting millions in city funds from fossil fuels to passing equitable transit development policy:
1st Ward Ald. Daniel La Spata
20th Ward Ald. Jeanette Taylor
25th Ward Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez
33rd Ward Ald. Rossana Rodriguez-Sanchez
35th Ward Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa
40th Ward Ald. Andre Vasquez
47th Ward Ald. Matt Martin
49th Ward Ald. Maria Hadden
“The 8 alderpersons 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.
“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,” Simba added.
IEC releases this scorecard biannually. Click here to see the official 2023 scorecard. An archive of past state and city-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.