Community Climate Investments

Recent Updates

Implemented six community garden compost pilots. As of early July, 943 pounds of food scraps have been diverted from the municipal waste stream and composted.

162 charging stations for City's municipal fleet now installed, prioritizing deployment in target areas with poor air quality/health issues within black and brown communities; with 116 electric vehicles purchased to date for City of Chicago fleet.

Distributed free bikes in the Bike Chicago Free Bike Distribution Program (received over 19,000 applications).

Engaged youth via GreenCorps to build bikes and participate in riding, bike safety and bike maintenance clinics.

Land Banking Agreement and Purchase Sale Agreement executed for environmental remediation and project development near Little Calumet River. The land acquisition of 25 lots and remediation of 50 lots will lay the foundation for future development of public open space, forestation improvements, community agriculture and redevelopment of historic Ton Farm.

Released RFP for program providers to retrofit 1 to 4-unit residential buildings for lower energy use and carbon emissions, with program launch expected in early 2024.

Completed construction design and plans for solar installation at four public libraries. Libraries are located in historically disadvantaged and under-resourced communities.

32 finalists were announced for the City’s first Climate Infrastructure Fund grants in May 2023.

Up Next

Re-open applications to give away at least 600 more bikes in 2023; engage 200 more youth via Greencorps.

Applications are being accepted for the second round of the Climate Infrastructure Fund, with applications closing on August 18, 2023 at 11:59pm.

Begin construction on 1-3 multifamily housing preservation projects with decarbonization retrofits.

Begin rooftop solar installation at select public libraries in 2023.

Complete Phase I Environmental Assessment and develop remediation plan for community open space conducted along Little Calumet River.

Up to 15 food scrap drop-off sites will be established in 2023 at DSS facilities across the City. Residents will be invited to drop off their household food scraps for free, and DSS will collect them for composting at a local commercial composting facility.

The City expects to reach its goal of electrifying 25% of its non-emergency light duty fleet by the end of 2023.