Tuesday, 10 Jun 2025
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • DMCA
logo logo
  • World
  • Politics
  • Crime
  • Economy
  • Tech & Science
  • Sports
  • Entertainment
  • More
    • Education
    • Celebrities
    • Culture and Arts
    • Environment
    • Health and Wellness
    • Lifestyle
  • 🔥
  • Trump
  • House
  • White
  • VIDEO
  • ScienceAlert
  • Watch
  • Trumps
  • man
  • Health
  • Colossal
Font ResizerAa
American FocusAmerican Focus
Search
  • World
  • Politics
  • Crime
  • Economy
  • Tech & Science
  • Sports
  • Entertainment
  • More
    • Education
    • Celebrities
    • Culture and Arts
    • Environment
    • Health and Wellness
    • Lifestyle
Follow US
© 2024 americanfocus.online – All Rights Reserved.
American Focus > Blog > Environment > Chicago law would shift where polluting companies operate
Environment

Chicago law would shift where polluting companies operate

Last updated: April 16, 2025 1:50 pm
Share
Chicago law would shift where polluting companies operate
SHARE

Chicago city leaders are on the brink of making a significant change in how polluting businesses are permitted to operate within the city. This move comes almost two years after the city settled a civil rights complaint that highlighted discriminatory practices impacting the health of low-income communities of color.

The proposed measure, expected to be introduced Wednesday, aims to revamp the way heavy industry is situated and managed in Chicago. If approved, it would mandate city officials to evaluate the overall pollution burden on communities before giving the green light to new industrial projects.

At a time when the federal government is rolling back protections for underprivileged communities grappling with disproportionate pollution levels, Chicago’s ordinance stands out as a beacon of hope for local action in the face of a federal administration that is not supportive of environmental justice. Recent months have seen the Trump administration undo longstanding directives addressing unequal environmental burdens at the federal level and challenge government programs that monitor environmental justice concerns nationwide.

Advocates are optimistic that this local legislation could serve as a model for how state and local governments can utilize zoning and permitting regulations to shield vulnerable communities from becoming environmental sacrifice zones.

Gina Ramirez, the Midwest director of environmental health at the Natural Resources Defense Council, emphasized the importance of acknowledging Chicago’s industrial past, particularly in low-income neighborhoods on the city’s South and West sides. The proposed ordinance would empower these communities by establishing an environmental justice advisory board to have a say in the permitting process.

Cheryl Johnson, an environmental activist from the Far South Side, echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the fundamental right to good health for all individuals. Her organization, People for Community Recovery, which was founded by her mother, Hazel Johnson, has been at the forefront of advocating for pollution protections for nearly four decades.

See also  Chicago cop gets probation for falsely claiming she was robbed at gunpoint of $5,000

The ordinance, named after Hazel Johnson, who fought for the health of her neighbors in a public housing community surrounded by polluters since the 1970s, is a testament to the ongoing struggle for environmental justice in Chicago. The civil rights complaint filed in 2020 by Cheryl Johnson’s group and other local environmental organizations shed light on the city’s history of placing polluting industries in low-income areas while avoiding affluent white neighborhoods.

Following an investigation by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, a binding agreement was reached with the Biden administration, requiring Chicago to address these environmental injustices. Despite delays, Mayor Brandon Johnson has pledged to honor the agreement and is now poised to present the long-awaited ordinance.

While progress is being made, not all community groups are satisfied with the proposed measures. Activists like Theresa McNamara from the Southwest Environmental Alliance have expressed concerns that the ordinance may not go far enough in addressing the environmental challenges faced by marginalized communities.

As Chicago takes steps towards environmental justice, the city’s actions could serve as a blueprint for other municipalities looking to prioritize the well-being of their residents and combat environmental injustices. A recent incident involving a city official in Newark, New Jersey has sparked controversy and debate over the effectiveness of environmental policies. The official, whose name has not been disclosed, referred to a newly passed environmental ordinance as a “weak piece of crap,” citing concerns over its lack of enforcement mechanisms.

The ordinance in question, passed by the Newark City Council in 2016, was hailed as a groundbreaking initiative aimed at curbing pollution and promoting environmental justice. However, according to experts familiar with the situation, the ordinance has failed to achieve its intended goals due to a lack of concrete action.

See also  Eliminating Waste, Fraud, and Abuse in Medicaid My Administration has been relentlessly committed to rooting out waste, fraud, and abuse in Government programs to preserve and protect them for those who rely most on them. The Medicaid program was designed to be a program to compassionately provide taxpayer dollars to healthcare providers who offer care to the most vulnerable Americans. To keep payments reasonable, billable costs for such care were historically capped at the same level that healthcare providers could receive from Medicare. The State and Federal Governments jointly shared this cost burden to ensure those of lesser means did not go untreated. Under the Biden Administration, States and healthcare providers were permitted to game the system. For example, States "taxed" healthcare providers, but sent the same money back to them in the form of a "Medicaid payment," which automatically unlocked for healthcare providers an additional "burden-sharing" payment from the Federal Government. Through this gimmick, the State could avoid contributing money toward Medicaid services, meaning the State no longer had a reason to be prudent in the amount of reimbursement provided. Instead of paying Medicare rates, many States that utilize these arrangements now pay the same healthcare providers almost three times the Medicare amount, a practice encouraged by the Biden Administration. These State Directed Payments have rapidly accelerated, quadrupling in magnitude over the last 4 years and reaching $110 billion in 2024 alone. This trajectory threatens the Federal Treasury and Medicaid's long-term stability, and the imbalance between Medicaid and Medicare patients threatens to jeopardize access to care for our seniors. I pledged to protect and improve these important Government healthcare programs for those that rely on them. Seniors on Medicare and Medicaid recipients both deserve access to quality care in a system free from the fraud, waste, and abuse, that enriches the unscrupulous and jeopardizes the programs themselves. We will take action to continue to love and cherish the Medicare and Medicaid programs to ensure they are preserved for those who need them most. The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall therefore take appropriate action to eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse in Medicaid, including by ensuring Medicaid payments rates are not higher than Medicare, to the extent permitted by applicable law. This memorandum is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person. DONALD J. TRUMP

Ana Baptista, an environmental policy professor at The New School in New York, played a key role in the passage of the ordinance in Newark. She expressed disappointment in the ordinance’s ineffectiveness, stating that it has become little more than a symbolic gesture with no real impact on polluting industries.

Despite its shortcomings, the ordinance has served as a catalyst for similar legislation in other states. At least eight states, including California, Minnesota, New York, and Delaware, have passed similar ordinances in recent years. However, the lack of enforcement mechanisms in these ordinances raises questions about their ability to bring about meaningful change.

Oscar Sanchez, a member of the Southeast Environmental Task Force, emphasized the importance of local and state entities in addressing environmental justice issues in the absence of federal support. He highlighted the role of advisory boards in advocating for marginalized communities and pushing for more stringent regulations on polluting industries.

As the debate over environmental policies continues to unfold, it is clear that more needs to be done to protect vulnerable communities from pollution and environmental degradation. The incident in Newark serves as a reminder of the challenges faced in implementing effective environmental policies and the importance of holding officials accountable for their actions.

TAGGED:Chicagocompanieslawoperatepollutingshift
Share This Article
Twitter Email Copy Link Print
Previous Article Google Ends Android 12 Support Google Ends Android 12 Support
Next Article US places sanctions on Chinese refinery over Iran oil purchases US places sanctions on Chinese refinery over Iran oil purchases
Leave a comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Popular Posts

9 Best At-Home Laser Hair Removal Tools For Visible Results

At-home laser hair removal is a popular option for those looking to reduce hair growth…

September 6, 2024

Build a website in record time with Squarespace

Building a website has never been easier with modern platforms like Squarespace. Whether you're a…

December 13, 2024

How to Recycle Concrete and Asphalt

It’s worth noting that smaller quantities of concrete or asphalt may not be cost-effective to…

May 22, 2025

Diddy Revealed the Food in Prison Has Been His Biggest Adjustment

New York, NY - Sean "Diddy" Combs' attorney, Marc Agnifilo, recently shed some light on…

October 11, 2024

Biden Proposes Medicare, Medicaid Cover Weight-loss Drugs at Possible $36 Billion Price Tag

President Biden Proposes Medicare and Medicaid Coverage for Weight-Loss Medications Credit: The White House, Public…

November 29, 2024

You Might Also Like

Eliminating Waste, Fraud, and Abuse in Medicaid My Administration has been relentlessly committed to rooting out waste, fraud, and abuse in Government programs to preserve and protect them for those who rely most on them. The Medicaid program was designed to be a program to compassionately provide taxpayer dollars to healthcare providers who offer care to the most vulnerable Americans. To keep payments reasonable, billable costs for such care were historically capped at the same level that healthcare providers could receive from Medicare. The State and Federal Governments jointly shared this cost burden to ensure those of lesser means did not go untreated. Under the Biden Administration, States and healthcare providers were permitted to game the system. For example, States “taxed” healthcare providers, but sent the same money back to them in the form of a “Medicaid payment,” which automatically unlocked for healthcare providers an additional “burden-sharing” payment from the Federal Government. Through this gimmick, the State could avoid contributing money toward Medicaid services, meaning the State no longer had a reason to be prudent in the amount of reimbursement provided. Instead of paying Medicare rates, many States that utilize these arrangements now pay the same healthcare providers almost three times the Medicare amount, a practice encouraged by the Biden Administration. These State Directed Payments have rapidly accelerated, quadrupling in magnitude over the last 4 years and reaching 0 billion in 2024 alone. This trajectory threatens the Federal Treasury and Medicaid’s long-term stability, and the imbalance between Medicaid and Medicare patients threatens to jeopardize access to care for our seniors. I pledged to protect and improve these important Government healthcare programs for those that rely on them. Seniors on Medicare and Medicaid recipients both deserve access to quality care in a system free from the fraud, waste, and abuse, that enriches the unscrupulous and jeopardizes the programs themselves. We will take action to continue to love and cherish the Medicare and Medicaid programs to ensure they are preserved for those who need them most. The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall therefore take appropriate action to eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse in Medicaid, including by ensuring Medicaid payments rates are not higher than Medicare, to the extent permitted by applicable law. This memorandum is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person. DONALD J. TRUMP
The White House

Presidential Permit Authorizing Green Corridors, LLC, to Construct, Maintain, and Operate a Commercial Elevated Guideway Border Crossing Near Laredo, Texas, at the International Boundary Between the United States and Mexico

June 10, 2025
The Transit for All PA Funding Package Can Help Keep Pennsylvania Moving
Environment

The Transit for All PA Funding Package Can Help Keep Pennsylvania Moving

June 10, 2025
How Can Distributed Energy Resources Support Energy Justice?
Environment

How Can Distributed Energy Resources Support Energy Justice?

June 10, 2025
We’ve Been Misreading a Major Law of Physics For Nearly 300 Years : ScienceAlert
Tech and Science

We’ve Been Misreading a Major Law of Physics For Nearly 300 Years : ScienceAlert

June 10, 2025
logo logo
Facebook Twitter Youtube

About US


Explore global affairs, political insights, and linguistic origins. Stay informed with our comprehensive coverage of world news, politics, and Lifestyle.

Top Categories
  • Crime
  • Environment
  • Sports
  • Tech and Science
Usefull Links
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • DMCA

© 2024 americanfocus.online –  All Rights Reserved.

Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Lost your password?