Cumulative Impacts are the combination of environmental, health and social stressors that people experience in their daily lives.

Some communities are exposed to more stressors than others. One big stressor is pollution. Living in a neighborhood with a lot of heavy manufacturing means more exposure to pollution.

Decades of broken zoning and land use policies have concentrated toxic pollution in Chicago’s vulnerable communities on West and South Sides. These neighborhoods have become "sacrifice zones” where chemical plants, heavy metal scrappers, and other industrial facilities spew pollutants right next to homes, parks, and schools with disastrous impacts on community health and the environment.

• New or expanding heavy industrial facilities would have to go through a more thorough zoning process before receiving a permit.
• As part of the process, these facilities would be required to conduct a cumulative impact study to assess potential environmental and health impacts.
• These cumulative impact studies would be reviewed by a new Environmental Justice Advisory Board, a diverse group that would include members of communities historically impacted by pollution.

Known as the “Mother of Environmental Justice,” Hazel M. Johnson founded People for Community Recovery in Altgeld Gardens. She fought tirelessly to expose and address high cancer rates and pollution in her community on the far South Side. Hazel’s legacy drives today’s movement against environmental racism in Chicago. Read more about Hazel's legacy here.

What you can do to support: Use this form to send a message of support to your alderperson to urge them to co-sponsor and vote “yes” on the Hazel Johnson Cumulative Impacts Ordinance.