Greening Chicago: Can Labor and Environment Work Together?

Illinois' environmental and labor leaders are exploring cooperation to tackle the state's climate challenges. Jennifer Walling, head of the Illinois Environmental Council, and Marc Poulos, a labor representative, recently visited Germany to learn about their efficient mass transit system. They hope to apply these ideas to Chicago's crumbling infrastructure and encourage more green policies. While Walling and Poulos share some goals, like reducing emissions and improving public transportation, they differ on specifics. Walling wants to phase out natural gas, while Poulos worries about job losses. They might find common ground in thermal energy networks, which use the earth's natural heat for buildings. Both agree that Illinois needs to invest in green infrastructure and that any changes should be fair to workers. However, they have different ideas about how to fund these projects, with Poulos open to private investments and Walling cautious about giving private companies too much control. The upcoming legislative session will see bills introduced on these topics, showing that despite their differences, both sides are committed to finding solutions.