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First Ward Alderman Manuel Flores talks back...
Manuel Flores,
Chicago's First Ward Alderman, was featured last month as our Eco-Leader. He received many wonderful questions from our web community and has provided a select number of responses. Please read on to see if your question was answered and to learn more about some of the initiatives and programs underway.
Question from Thomas F: It’s great to see such a proactive Alderman when it comes to bringing the green economy to Chicago. Besides the Green Economy and your support of the Green Exchange, what other endeavors are you exploring?
Answer: We are currently working on redeveloping the Addison industrial corridor into a sustainable clean technology park, as well as helping Lathrop Homes, a Chicago Housing Authority site, achieve LEED ND Gold certification. By working with different groups, organizations, and business on innovative and creative projects, we can significantly increase sustainable development not only in the 1st ward but throughout the City of Chicago. To learn more about my various legislative efforts, feel free to visit
www.mannyflores.org.
Question from Beth W: Do you see the soft economy slowing down progress on environmental progress and policy?
Answer: The economic downturn has certainly slowed the rate of investment in clean technologies and new construction. But even the recession provides new opportunities—for example, the stimulus passed by Congress earlier this year invests billions in worker training for “green jobs”, home weatherization, smart grid updates, and research into new technologies.
I see environmental sustainability as a crucial factor in getting our economy back on track and making Chicago more competitive in this new economy. While some might argue that living sustainably has higher upfront costs, those actions ultimately result in lower electricity bills, lower gas payments, cleaner air, and a more livable community. As Alderman of the 1st Ward, I continue to promote the development of “green” buildings, holding workshops for development professionals to explain the true costs associated with green construction, and to expand public incentives for businesses and developments that are environmentally responsible.
Question from Dominic M: The Chicago Climate Action Plan is a good start, but the follow-up execution seems to be slow. Are we still on track to meet our goals?
Answer: Adopting the Chicago Climate Action Plan was a great step in the right direction and we have already begun to move forward in the implementation. However, this ambitious plan is going to require continuous effort and a commitment from not just City Hall but also from city residents and other community stakeholders. Resources like greeneconomychicago.com are ideally suited for bringing people together in the kind of grassroots effort that is necessary for the successful implementation of the Chicago Climate Action Plan.
Question from Martha P: You’ve been opposed to the Mayor’s financial promises around Chicago’s Olympics bid. Do you think there is a realistic scenario that works for both the IOC and the people of Chicago?
Answer: The City Council recently passed an ordinance that I introduced to mandate transparency and oversight of the Olympics planning process. The ordinance requires detailed quarterly financial reports, information on contracting requests and expenditures, and comprehensive financial disclosure forms – including notice of every contractor and whether he or she has donated to the Organizing Committee. My ordinance also creates a joint City Council committee of the Finance and Budget committees to provide ongoing oversight of the Olympics planning process and includes the chairmen of the Budget and Finance committees on the Olympics Organizing Committee board of directors.
Many of us on the City Council were also concerned about the financial liability that could fall on Chicago taxpayers. To address this issue, we mandated the purchase of capital replacement insurance for the development of the Olympic Village. Capital replacement insurance is a brand new insurance product that was developed exclusively to protect the Chicago 2016 games in case developers can not meet their obligations as was the case in Vancouver.
Question from Tom F: Which other Aldermen are taking on green projects or programs in their communities?
Answer: Aldermen Helen Schiller (46), Joe Moore (49), Virginia Rugai (19), Margaret Laurino (39), Carrie Austin (34), John Pope (10) and Mary Ann Smith (48) have been vocal about promoting sustainability and have acted on the issue. However, there has been movement towards sustainability throughout the entire city; all 50 wards are home to projects that promote clean development.
Question from Franklin S: It seems like your green initiatives have been as much about creating jobs as environmental sustainability. What is your definition of a green job, and what types of green jobs do you think will grow most quickly in Chicago?
Answer: I view a “green” job as having three main attributes: first, it must be in an industry that does not inherently have a negative impact on the environment; second, it must provide a good wage and benefits to its workers; and third, it must provide for upward mobility if the worker is willing to work hard.
I expect great job growth in the design and construction of sustainable architecture and the retrofitting of exiting structures to meet global efficiency standards. Chicago should also be competitive in attracting companies that develop alternative energy systems such as wind turbines, solar energy panels and geothermal structures. All of these clean energy and technology ventures need to be funded and that is why green finance will also grow in the near future
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