Exploring Government Action on Environmental Injustice: Key Highlights from the Town Hall Meeting – Evanston RoundTable

On January 21, over 30 residents from the North Shore, including some from Evanston, gathered on one of the coldest nights of the year at Niles North High School in Skokie. They met to discuss environmental justice with Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and her team. More than 40 additional participants joined online for this important conversation.

This meeting was one of five planned for January and February to gather public input on Cook County’s draft environmental justice policy. Once finalized, this policy will guide decisions and programs across various county departments.

In her opening comments, Preckwinkle highlighted that communities, particularly low- to middle-income neighborhoods and communities of color, have suffered most from pollution and insufficient investments in green infrastructure. This has seriously affected their health, quality of life, and even life expectancy.

She emphasized that the county is learning from past mistakes and aims to create programs that help build sustainable communities. County Board Commissioner Josina Morita, who leads these efforts, spoke passionately about environmental justice, stating it has been her top priority from the start of her term. Morita explained that recognizing and addressing environmental racism is crucial to empowering those most affected by such policies.

After sharing details about the draft policy, Program Manager Deb Kutska led breakout groups to discuss pressing environmental issues within their communities. Participants were asked to evaluate whether the plan addresses their challenges and what adjustments could enhance its effectiveness.

Kutska stressed the importance of community feedback, indicating that if more residents wish to share their thoughts, additional sessions could be arranged. She noted the county’s commitment to transparency and addressing the historical issues of redlining that contribute to current disparities.

The task ahead is significant, given Cook County’s population of around 5 million. The county has already allocated funds to hire two full-time staff members in 2025 to support this initiative.

Evanston was well represented at the meeting, with Cara Pratt, Sustainability and Resilience Manager, attending online. In-person participants included Jack Jordan and Joel Freeman from Climate Action Evanston, as well as Jerri Garl and Janet Alexander Davis from Environmental Justice Evanston. Garl, who also serves on the county’s Citizens’ Advisory Committee, praised the county’s acknowledgment of its past wrongs, calling it a great model for Evanston’s own Environmental Equity Investigation.

Two students from Evanston Township High School, Chayse Johnson and Amelia Harris, were also present. They are part of the project’s Youth Advisory Committee, advocating for environmental justice in their community. Johnson remarked that the meeting opened her eyes to the necessary changes in both their local community and the world. Harris added that her group discussed the importance of engaging more youth in environmental issues, emphasizing that while everyone knows about climate change, many do not know how to take local action.

To learn more about the Cook County environmental justice policy and share your thoughts, check out the Cook County environmental justice website.

Source link

Cook County,Environmental Justice,Josina Morita,Toni Preckwinkle