Neighbors For Environmental Justice (N4EJ)

Putrid smells from South Side plant enrage neighbors “Rotting fish” and “decay of flesh” are terms used by city inspectors to describe Pullman Innovations, which has been ticketed multiple times for foul odors.

"it was like someone dumped feces on my front yard"

Surprise! A factory we highlighted in our 2023 report Ineffective By Choice is still causing problems.

"The simplest explanation of these findings is that the City of Chicago does not sincerely engage in environmental enforcement, but instead performs a kind of enforcement theater. [....]

When they act, it is to show they are acting, and not because those actions have meaningful outcomes."

"I had to close my windows because the odor was so bad," she said. "It was like someone dumped feces on my front yard." The Sun-Times examined trends with city inspections records in 2023 with the help of Anthony Moser, a member of the advocacy group Neighbors for Environmental Justice. Moser released an independent report of his findings. The recent uproar over Pullman shows a weakness in the city's environmental enforcement, he said. "The city has no real strategy for companies that keep polluting and don't get better. Some of these factories have gotten complaints and citations for decades," Moser said. The city is "always working to bring them into compliance' but they never get there."

The city's health department, which is responsible for environmental investigations and enforcement said defended its record and said it "has been working to address community concerns related to Pullman Innovations for many years." In a statement, the health department said that it "has also been working with the [Pullman] facility to determine what new odor-reducing control equipment can be used." In its own statement, EPA officials said they are "aware of the odor complaints in this area. EPA is currently working with the company to ensure compliance with environmental regulations."

Not actually surprising of course – the city has no real strategy for companies that keep polluting.

They're always working on it though!

Putrid smells from South Side plant enrage neighbors “Rotting fish” and “decay of flesh” are terms used by city inspectors to describe Pullman Innovations, which has been ticketed multiple times for foul odors.

"it was like someone dumped feces on my front yard"

Surprise! A factory we highlighted in our 2023 report Ineffective By Choice is still causing problems.

SW Chicago CIO Community Meeting YouTube video by Neighbors For Environmental Justice

The panel Q&A starts here, with (left to right):

Dr. Mimi Guiracocha, American Lung Association
Angela Tovar, Chief Sustainability Officer (Dept of Env)
Kris Tiongson, Metropolitan Planning Council
Ellis Walton, Environmental Law and Policy Center

#HazelJohnsonCIO

SW Town Hall CCESZ Cumulative Impacts Slideshow

If you would rather read than watch, you can check out the slideshow directly at bit.ly/HazelJohnson...

SW Chicago CIO Community Meeting YouTube video by Neighbors For Environmental Justice

If you missed our town hall meeting about the Hazel Johnson Cumulative Impacts Ordinance, the video is up on youtube!

This link starts with our presentations about the ordinance and the effects of pollution
#HazelJohnsonCIO

We will also be livestreaming this meeting on our youtube channel: www.youtube.com/@n4ejchicago...

the 11th and 12th wards have a lot of people who speak Spanish or Chinese as a first language, so we will have interpreters.

btw did you know that Chicago's 311 system only accepts air pollution complaints in English?

Zoom option available
Dinner, Childcare, and Interpretation provided

本活动将提供同步网上参与模式、免费晚餐、托儿服务、同步口译服务

Opción de zoom disponible
Cena, cuidado de niños e interpretación incluidos
Confirme su asistencia
con el código QR

Flyer for a Southwest Chicago Community Forum about the Hazel Johnson Cumulative Impacts Ordinance with Alders Nicole Lee, Julia Ramirez, Mike Rodriguez, and State Rep Theresa Mah 11th 12th 22nd Ward Zoom option available, dinner, childcare and interpretation provided RSVP with QR code Thursday June 26 6pm-8pm Iron Lab 3700 S Iron St 1st floor Bottom shows logos for: Environmental Law and Policy Center, Coalition for a Better Chinese American Community, Iron Lab, Chicago Asian Americans for Environmental Justice, Neighbors For Environmental Justice, Chicago Environmental Justice Network, Sierra Club, Triveni Institute, Alliance for the South East, Little Village Environmental Justice Organization

TONIGHT! Join us in person or online for a SW Chicago community forum about the Hazel Johnson Cumulative Impacts Ordinance.

We'll be joined by Ald Ramirez (12), Ald Lee (11), Ald Rodriguez (22), and State Rep Theresa Mah

RSVP at bit.ly/CIOmtg to get the zoom link or let us know you're coming!

Everybody following this story should know:

1) Tadin refuses to say what he plans to do w/the property

2) It's zoned PMD 11-A, which means intensive manufacturing is "permitted by right" (no special approval required)

3) The Hazel Johnson Cumulative Impacts Ordinance would change that

The Damen Silos are currently zoned for:

"acetylene, cement lime, gypsum or plaster-of-paris, chlorine, corrosive acid or fertilizer, insecticides, disinfectants, poisons, explosives, paint, lacquer, varnish, petroleum products, coal products, plastic and synthetic resins and radioactive materials"

The Damen Silos are currently zoned for:

"acetylene, cement lime, gypsum or plaster-of-paris, chlorine, corrosive acid or fertilizer, insecticides, disinfectants, poisons, explosives, paint, lacquer, varnish, petroleum products, coal products, plastic and synthetic resins and radioactive materials"

Everybody following this story should know:

1) Tadin refuses to say what he plans to do w/the property

2) It's zoned PMD 11-A, which means intensive manufacturing is "permitted by right" (no special approval required)

3) The Hazel Johnson Cumulative Impacts Ordinance would change that

“If I were them, I would be thinking about it as a measure to mitigate political risk,” Moser said. “If a warehouse opens up down the street....they’re going to assume that the alderperson did know. They’re going to assume you’re on the take.”

#HazelJohnsonCIO

a map color coded to show zoning affected by the cumulative impacts ordinance labeled Vulnerable Zoning in Ward 25 Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez • (773) 523-4100 purple: commercial (c1, c2, c3) pink: manufacturing (m1, m2, m3) yellow: planned manufacturing district (PMD)

Vulnerable Zoning in Ward 25
Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez • (773) 523-4100

purple: commercial (c1, c2, c3)
pink: manufacturing (m1, m2, m3)
yellow: planned manufacturing district (PMD)
#HazelJohnsonCIO

a map color coded to show zoning affected by the cumulative impacts ordinance labeled Vulnerable Zoning in Ward 24 Ald. Monique Scott • (773) 533-2400 purple: commercial (c1, c2, c3) pink: manufacturing (m1, m2, m3) yellow: planned manufacturing district (PMD)

Vulnerable Zoning in Ward 24
Ald. Monique Scott • (773) 533-2400

purple: commercial (c1, c2, c3)
pink: manufacturing (m1, m2, m3)
yellow: planned manufacturing district (PMD)
#HazelJohnsonCIO

a map color coded to show zoning affected by the cumulative impacts ordinance labeled Vulnerable Zoning in Ward 23 Ald. Silvana Tabares • (773) 582-4444 purple: commercial (c1, c2, c3) pink: manufacturing (m1, m2, m3) yellow: planned manufacturing district (PMD)

Vulnerable Zoning in Ward 23
Ald. Silvana Tabares • (773) 582-4444

purple: commercial (c1, c2, c3)
pink: manufacturing (m1, m2, m3)
yellow: planned manufacturing district (PMD)
#HazelJohnsonCIO

a map color coded to show zoning affected by the cumulative impacts ordinance labeled Vulnerable Zoning in Ward 22 Ald. Michael Rodriguez • (773) 762-1771 purple: commercial (c1, c2, c3) pink: manufacturing (m1, m2, m3) yellow: planned manufacturing district (PMD)

Vulnerable Zoning in Ward 22
Ald. Michael Rodriguez • (773) 762-1771

purple: commercial (c1, c2, c3)
pink: manufacturing (m1, m2, m3)
yellow: planned manufacturing district (PMD)
#HazelJohnsonCIO

a map color coded to show zoning affected by the cumulative impacts ordinance labeled Vulnerable Zoning in Ward 21 Ald. Ronnie Mosley • (773) 881-9300 purple: commercial (c1, c2, c3) pink: manufacturing (m1, m2, m3) yellow: planned manufacturing district (PMD)

Vulnerable Zoning in Ward 21
Ald. Ronnie Mosley • (773) 881-9300

purple: commercial (c1, c2, c3)
pink: manufacturing (m1, m2, m3)
yellow: planned manufacturing district (PMD)
#HazelJohnsonCIO

Vulnerable Zoning in Ward 20
Ald. Jeanette Taylor • (773) 966-5336

purple: commercial (c1, c2, c3)
pink: manufacturing (m1, m2, m3)
yellow: planned manufacturing district (PMD)
#HazelJohnsonCIO

a map color coded to show zoning affected by the cumulative impacts ordinance labeled Vulnerable Zoning in Ward 19 Ald. Matthew O'Shea • (773) 238-8766 purple: commercial (c1, c2, c3) pink: manufacturing (m1, m2, m3) yellow: planned manufacturing district (PMD) #HazelJohnsonCIO

Vulnerable Zoning in Ward 19
Ald. Matthew O'Shea • (773) 238-8766

purple: commercial (c1, c2, c3)
pink: manufacturing (m1, m2, m3)
yellow: planned manufacturing district (PMD)
#HazelJohnsonCIO

a map color coded to show zoning affected by the cumulative impacts ordinance labeled Vulnerable Zoning in Ward 18 Ald. Derrick Curtis • (773) 284-5057 purple: commercial (c1, c2, c3) pink: manufacturing (m1, m2, m3) yellow: planned manufacturing district (PMD)

Vulnerable Zoning in Ward 18
Ald. Derrick Curtis • (773) 284-5057

purple: commercial (c1, c2, c3)
pink: manufacturing (m1, m2, m3)
yellow: planned manufacturing district (PMD)
#HazelJohnsonCIO

a map color coded to show zoning affected by the cumulative impacts ordinance labeled Vulnerable Zoning in Ward 17 Ald. David Moore • (773) 783-3672 purple: commercial (c1, c2, c3) pink: manufacturing (m1, m2, m3) yellow: planned manufacturing district (PMD)

Vulnerable Zoning in Ward 17
Ald. David Moore • (773) 783-3672

purple: commercial (c1, c2, c3)
pink: manufacturing (m1, m2, m3)
yellow: planned manufacturing district (PMD)
#HazelJohnsonCIO

a map color coded to show zoning affected by the cumulative impacts ordinance labeled Vulnerable Zoning in Ward 16 Ald. Stephanie Coleman • (773) 863-0220 purple: commercial (c1, c2, c3) pink: manufacturing (m1, m2, m3) yellow: planned manufacturing district (PMD)

Vulnerable Zoning in Ward 16
Ald. Stephanie Coleman • (773) 863-0220

purple: commercial (c1, c2, c3)
pink: manufacturing (m1, m2, m3)
yellow: planned manufacturing district (PMD)
#HazelJohnsonCIO

a map color coded to show zoning affected by the cumulative impacts ordinance labeled Vulnerable Zoning in Ward 15 Ald. Raymond Lopez • (773) 306-0837 purple: commercial (c1, c2, c3) pink: manufacturing (m1, m2, m3) yellow: planned manufacturing district (PMD)

Vulnerable Zoning in Ward 15
Ald. Raymond Lopez • (773) 306-0837

purple: commercial (c1, c2, c3)
pink: manufacturing (m1, m2, m3)
yellow: planned manufacturing district (PMD)
#HazelJohnsonCIO

a map color coded to show zoning affected by the cumulative impacts ordinance labeled Vulnerable Zoning in Ward 14 Ald. Jeylu Gutierrez • (773) 236-0117 purple: commercial (c1, c2, c3) pink: manufacturing (m1, m2, m3) yellow: planned manufacturing district (PMD)

Vulnerable Zoning in Ward 14
Ald. Jeylu Gutierrez • (773) 236-0117

purple: commercial (c1, c2, c3)
pink: manufacturing (m1, m2, m3)
yellow: planned manufacturing district (PMD)
#HazelJohnsonCIO

a map color coded to show zoning affected by the cumulative impacts ordinance labeled Vulnerable Zoning in Ward 13 Ald. Marty Quinn • (773) 581-8000 purple: commercial (c1, c2, c3) pink: manufacturing (m1, m2, m3) yellow: planned manufacturing district (PMD)

Vulnerable Zoning in Ward 13
Ald. Marty Quinn • (773) 581-8000

purple: commercial (c1, c2, c3)
pink: manufacturing (m1, m2, m3)
yellow: planned manufacturing district (PMD)
#HazelJohnsonCIO

a map color coded to show zoning affected by the cumulative impacts ordinance labeled Vulnerable Zoning in Ward 12 Ald. Julia Ramirez • (773) 475-6783 purple: commercial (c1, c2, c3) pink: manufacturing (m1, m2, m3) yellow: planned manufacturing district (PMD)

Vulnerable Zoning in Ward 12
Ald. Julia Ramirez • (773) 475-6783

purple: commercial (c1, c2, c3)
pink: manufacturing (m1, m2, m3)
yellow: planned manufacturing district (PMD)
#HazelJohnsonCIO