CHICAGO — The Illinois Environmental Council issued the following statement of support following Chicago’s Fiscal Year 2022 budget vote:
“The Illinois Environmental Council applauds Mayor Lori Lightfoot and the Chicago City Council Alderpersons who voted in support of the FY2022 budget for passing the single largest environmental investment in Chicago’s history. This historic investment in climate-related infrastructure comes at a critical moment, one that demands increased resource allocation for public health and environmental protection as Chicagoans, predominantly Black and Brown communities, are bracing from the impacts of climate change and disinvestment.
“For far too long, the calls for smart spending on environmental concerns have gone ignored, but answering decades of environmental advocacy, this new funding will be a sorely needed step in the right direction. Emphasizing healthy, liveable communities, this budget will bring greater protections for our water resources, including flood mitigation and water reconnection, expanded waste reduction efforts, and support for low-carbon mobility. We look forward to continuing to work with the City of Chicago to translate these investments into equitable improvements to the health and environment of all Chicago communities.”
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