Nonprofits Unite to Enable Five Chicago Communities To Tackle Climate Challenges

Cook County, IL – In a significant step toward environmental justice, five disinvested communities in Chicago’s Cook County – Markham, Calumet City, Harvey, Hazel Crest, and South Holland – now have access to vital data and analysis specific to their communities that will help local leaders seeking federal funding to address climate resilience and pollution reduction. Thanks to the collaborative efforts of Greenlink Analytics, Elevate and EcoHealth Strategies, this initiative supported by the New Venture Fund helps communities unlock access to the $2 billion available through the Inflation Reduction Act’s Community Change Grants.   

To access these funds, communities are required to develop a detailed plan for achieving their pollution and emissions reductions goals. To support this process, Greenlink Analytics conducted a comprehensive data analysis, published in the Clean Energy Potential in Southland Cook County report, which focused on energy burdens and the benefits of transitioning to renewable energy sources. The findings show that these shifts can improve environmental conditions while generating clean energy resources to reinvest back into the community. In addition, this work highlights the potential for job creation and economic opportunities through cleaner energy choices. 

“We believe everyone deserves to have access to the research, tools, and support they need to create healthier environments for their families to live in,” Elevate’s CEO Dr. Anne Evens said. “People who live in disinvested communities understand how to make their neighborhoods safer and they know how to protect each other from the increasingly urgent, severe impacts of the climate crisis. But it can be challenging to access funding for these projects, creating barriers we simply don’t have the resources for. We hope that we can support these neighborhood’s efforts by sharing our techniques for securing government funding and by equipping people with data they can use to advocate for themselves.” 

“Our analysis demonstrates that advancing energy efficiency and expanding rooftop solar will significantly cut energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, while enhancing energy reliability and overall resilience in these five communities,” said Etan Gumerman, Director of Analytics at Greenlink Analytics. “These resources will not only form the backbone of the local energy infrastructure but also contribute to better air quality and public health.” 

“Cook County Government is committed to improving the quality of the environment for all residents,” said Debra Kutska, interim Deputy Director of Sustainability for Cook County. “This analysis confirms what residents in the Southland already experience, crafts a vision of what is to come and provides data that will allow Cook County and other partners to make informed program improvements and strategic investments which support environmental health and a green economy.”   

Launched in January 2024, Elevate’s project aimed to provide communities with climate data for immediate use but also leverages this information to secure federal resources for tackling these challenges. These funds would drive workforce development, stimulate economic growth, and address the local impacts of climate change by improving air quality, lowering energy costs, and creating more resilient communities. 

About Greenlink Analytics: Greenlink Analytics (“Greenlink”) is an Atlanta-based clean energy and equity research non-profit organization equipped with sophisticated analytical technologies and deep industry knowledge in the clean energy space, receiving accolades from MIT, Georgia Tech, Yale, and the National Science Foundation, among others. It uses these technologies to help create a smarter, cleaner, and more equitable future. 

About Elevate: Elevate is a nonprofit organization that works nationally and is headquartered in Chicago. Elevate designs and implements programs to ensure that everyone has clean and affordable heat, cooling, power, and water in their homes and communities —no matter who they are or where they live. For more information, visit our website at elevatenp.org. 

This version was edited on November 26, 2024.