RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Renewable energy, generated from natural sources or processes, like sun, wind, and water, is the way of the future; and
WHEREAS, The use of renewable energy reduces greenhouse gas emissions, diminishes reliance on fossil fuels, and improves public health; and
WHEREAS, The City of Chicago is dedicated to promoting renewable energy, not only to encourage efficient energy use, but also to foster investment in local economies and advance local workforce development; and
WHEREAS, The City's commitment to develop renewable energy infrastructure will significantly stimulate the manufacturing, construction, operations, procurement, and service sectors ofthe local economy by creating good jobs in the renewable energy industry; and
WHEREAS, The City is committed to this opportunity to build equity in communities that have been traditionally underrepresented in the energy field and marketplace; and
WHEREAS, The City of Chicago has long recognized the importance of raising awareness of energy performance, illustrated by the Building Energy Use Benchmarking Ordinance passed in 2013, calling upon our largest commercial, government and residential buildings to track, verify, and report their energy use; and
WHEREAS, In 2016, World Business Chicago found that the City of Chicago led the country in wind energy companies with 23 companies, including 11 headquarters; and
WHEREAS, In 2017, the Chicago City Council passed an ordinance implementing the Chicago Energy Rating system, a groundbreaking law that mandates a rating ofthe energy performance of every large building in the City of Chicago; and
WHEREAS, The City of Chicago was the first major city to earn a 2017 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year Award from the EPA for its outstanding contributions to protecting the environment through energy efficiency; and
WHEREAS, The Chicago Smart Lighting Program, initiated in 2017, is on track to meet the commitment to convert 270,000 streetlights to energy-efficient LED bulbs by the end of 2021, with a management system that will control a state-of-the-art smart lighting grid, consume 50% less electricity, and yield an expected savings of approximately $100 million over 10 years; and
WHEREAS, The City of Chicago proposed the Chicago Climate Charter at the North American Climate Summit in December 2017, prompting 67 cities to commit to aggressive emissions reductions in 'ine with the Paris Accord; and
WHEREAS, The Renewable Chicago Project, which created a working group to develop renewable energy strategies, released its final report in September 2018, outlining how the City of Chicago can power all City buildings with renewable energy by 2025; and
WHEREAS, In 2019, the City of Chicago initiated the Property Assessed Clean Energy program to provide financing to assist building owners with energy efficiency and renewable energy investments; and
WHEREAS, The City is determined to build upon this history of energy-related progress and to further expand our renewable energy use and initiatives; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and Members of the City Council of the City of Chicago, assembled this eighteenth day of September, 2019, commit to continue our embrace of renewable energy, with an immediate focus on;
reaffirming our commitment to transition to 100% renewable energy in buildings by 2035, and in the CTA's bus fleet by 2040;
creating an Office of the Environment; and
demonstrating the viability of solar projects within the city and ensuring that the expansion of the solar economy benefits all Chicagoans; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That we call upon the City Council's Committee on Environmental Protection and Energy to convene a hearing to discuss the short and long term goals of the City of Chicago to promote renewable energy equitably across the city.
OFFICE OF THE MAYOR
CITY OF CHICAGO
LORI E. LIGHTFOOT MAYOR
September 18, 2019
TO THE HONORABLE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHICAGO
Ladies and Gentlemen:
1 transmit herewith, together with Alderman Cardenas, a resolution regarding Chicago's commitment to renewable energy.
Your favorable consideration ofthis resolution will be appreciated.
Very truly yours,
CITY OF CHICAGO
COMMITTEE ON HEALTH AND HUMAN RELATIONS CITY COUNCIL CITY HALL - ROOM 300 121 NORTH LASALLE STREET CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60602
ALDERMAN RODERICK T. SAWYER CHAIRMAN
PHONE: FACSIMILE:
312-744-1367 312-744-2870
City Council Meeting October 16, 2019
To Ivladam President and Members of the City Council:
The Committee on Health and Human Relations held a meeting on October 3, 2019, considering the following Resolution:
Office of the Mayor A2019-66
A communication from the Honorable Lori E. Lightfoot, Mayor, Appointment of Allison Arwady as Commissioner of the Department of Health.
(Held in Committee on October 3, 2019)
R2019-686
A resolution introduced by the Honorable Lori E. Lightfoot, Mayor and Alderman George Cardenas calling on reaffirmation of commitment to renewable energy and CTA bus fleet. Rerefer to the Committee on Environmental Protection and Energy.
(Rerefer to the Committee on Environmental Protection and Energy.)
3. R2019-692
A Resolution introduced by Alderman Tom Tunney, calling on Governor J.B. Pritzker, Senate Michael Madigan, Illinois Department of Aging and Illinois Department of Rehabilitation to build sustainable long term in-home care infrastructure for seniors, persons with disabilities, family members, caregiv.ing workforce and senior service providers. (Passed Committee October 3, 2019)
begs leave to recommend that this Honorable Body pass said resolution which is transmitted herewith.
This recommendation was concurred in by a viva voce vote of the Committee on Health and Human Relations.
Roderick T. Sawyer, Chairman Committee on Health and Human Relations
Respectfully submitted,