Editor’s Note: Illinois Answers published a story last year examining the massive public investment aimed at developing the quantum industry in South Chicago. This week, we end a three-part explainer series with […]
Environment
Posted inInvestigations
A New Wastewater Plant in Carterville Could Stop Sewage Overflows — Why Hasn’t Construction Started Yet?
Carterville reported 40 sanitary sewer overflows in the past decade. City officials have known for years that a new wastewater treatment plant would resolve the issue. They promised it would be operational by last year. But construction hasn’t started yet. Meanwhile, residents deal with flooding and backed up basements.
Posted inInvestigating Responses
‘Green Alleys’ Help Prevent Flooding, But Vulnerable Neighborhoods Must Wait in Line
‘It’s a little bit of a shot-in-the-dark implementation strategy,’ a key City Council member said.
Posted inInvestigation
How the Koppers Plant Became, and Remains, Cicero’s Toxic Neighbor
The Koppers plant in Cicero has been found in violation of both state and federal environmental laws dating back 50 years — from the late 1970s until this past summer. A new Illinois EPA list of violations raises new questions about how much cancer-causing chemicals the plant is emitting.
Posted inGovernment Finance & Accountability
Biden’s Infrastructure Push Challenges Illinois’ Car-Centric Approach
The president’s plan to cut pollution, promote public transit and address racial inequities would mark a sharp change for a transportation system built for the Eisenhower Era.
Posted inGovernment Finance & Accountability
Waste Management Queda Fuera Del Programa De Reciclaje De La Municipalidad De Chicago
La compañía perdió el contrato con la municipalidad después de que una investigación de la BGA revelara cómo Waste Management cobraba el doble por procesar los materiales en contenedores de reciclaje.
Posted inGovernment Finance & Accountability
Waste Management Ousted From Chicago’s Recycling Program
The company lost the city’s Blue Cart contract after a BGA investigation revealed how the company charged the city twice for processing materials in recycling bins.
Posted inGovernment Finance & Accountability
Watchdog: Chicago Not Enforcing Recycling Laws for Big Buildings
Findings by Inspector General’s office mirror those detailed in 2019 by the BGA, which found lax enforcement and bureaucratic snafus have led to more recyclable materials from Chicago’s high-rises and commercial buildings being diverted to landfills.
Posted inGovernment Finance & Accountability
Lightfoot Defends City’s Actions on Little Village Smokestack Demolition: ‘I Don’t Believe We Were Negligent’
During a virtual town hall as part of “Lens on Lightfoot” event, mayor maintains developer is at fault but vows such an incident won’t happen again.
Posted inGovernment Finance & Accountability
Lightfoot Defiende Acciones de la Municipalidad por Demolición de Chimenea industrial en La Villita: ‘No Creo Que Hayamos Sido Negligentes’
Durante un ayuntamiento virtual como parte del evento “Lens on Lightfoot”, el alcalde mantiene que el desarrollador tiene la culpa, pero promete que tal incidente no volverá a suceder.
