Smart Growth

Making a Visible Difference in Communities: Illinois

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Chicago, IL

Pilsen/Little Village and SE Chicago

The City of Chicago has a large and diverse population and geography, and a complex set of local government units. As such, EPA is focusing on two geographic areas, SE Chicago and the Pilsen and Little Village neighborhoods, with the greatest environmental burden and with community groups that are actively engaged on environmental issues.  In SE Chicago, EPA is working with the community to address PetCoke issues and to restore habitat in the Millenium Reserve, which will also provide work experience through the City’s GreenCorps.  In the primarily Latino neighborhoods of Pilsen and Little Village, numerous Superfund response actions are underway. Community-based health, soil and air monitoring work is being conducted along with planning for green infrastructure, complete streets, more rails to trails and access to recreation.

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