Environment

Snakes on a Plain

By Paris Schutz | Published August 1, 2011 | 6 Comments »

The snakes have escaped from Lincoln Park Zoo. And by all accounts, zoo officials have been complicit in this little scheme. Specifically, we are talking about a silky emerald green species known as the “Smooth Green Snake.” The ones we saw were between one and two feet long, and perhaps 2/3 the circumference of a [...]

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City Council Meeting

By Jessen O'Brien | Published July 28, 2011 | Comments Off

A series of ordinances were introduced in Thursday’s City Council meeting, including the following: -Mayor Emanuel introduced eight ordinances supporting economic development and affordable housing for seniors and low-income renters. According to the Mayor, “Our goal is to foster the development of neighborhoods where commercial and affordable housing, jobs and open spaces contribute to continued [...]

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Tips for Greener Living

By Jessen O'Brien | Published July 26, 2011 | 3 Comments »

Chicago has become a hub for alternative energy and green energy jobs. Phil Ponce and a panel of experts discuss this and more on Chicago Tonight at 7:00 pm. View a slideshow below of graphics from The Clean Energy Supply Chain in Illinois: Wind, Solar and Geothermal report and the Chicago Climate Action Plan Progress [...]

Posted in Business & Economy, Environment, Media, More on the Story, News & Public Affairs, Science & Technology | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

Mayor Emanuel Seeks to Expand Urban Farming

By Jessen O'Brien | Published July 26, 2011 | 1 Comment »

On Tuesday, Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced that the City of Chicago will introduce a new ordinance on Thursday to expand community gardens and urban farms. The ordinance will stimulate economic development, create jobs, and increase the accessibility of healthy food options in Chicago food deserts. “It is unacceptable that thousands of Chicagoans live in communities [...]

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Summer Recipes & Gardening Tips

By Jessen O'Brien | Published July 21, 2011 | 1 Comment »

The Chicago Botanic Garden’s Eliza Fournier joins us on Chicago Tonight at 7:00 pm with tips on how to manage your garden in the heat. View photos of the Chicago Botanic Garden’s tomatoes below. All photos courtesy of the Chicago Botanic Garden. Fournier also taught us how to make a green smoothie and Kale chips [...]

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Emanuel Introduces Managed Competition to Chicago’s Recycling Program

By Jessen O'Brien | Published July 18, 2011 | 2 Comments »

On Monday, Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced changes to the city’s Blue Cart Recycling program in order to make it more effective and eventually provide recycling to people throughout the entire city. One change involves the implementation of managed competition. Public and private sector companies will compete to see who can offer the best service at [...]

Posted in Business & Economy, Environment, Government, Media, More on the Story, News & Public Affairs, Rahm Emanuel | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Illinois Beekeeping

By Yasmin Rammohan | Published July 12, 2011 | Comments Off

An Oak Park resident is pushing to make the western suburb, home to Frank Lloyd Wright and Ernest Hemingway, a haven for bees. On Chicago Tonight at 7:00 pm, Paris Schutz has more on why a controversial ordinance has some residents buzzing and others feeling a bit stung. Colony Collapse Disorder is an epidemic threatening [...]

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Emanuel Announces Energy Efficiency Program

By Jessen O'Brien | Published July 12, 2011 | Comments Off

On Tuesday, Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced a multi-agency Guaranteed Energy Performance Contracting program expected to increase energy efficiency in City buildings, create over 375 new direct jobs for Chicagoans, and save taxpayers between $4 and $5.7 million a year upon the establishment of  new energy conservation measures. The program will help the Chicago achieve greenhouse [...]

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Cabin Fever

By Yasmin Rammohan | Published June 29, 2011 | Comments Off

The clash between nature and technology can be all too familiar these days. One man from suburban Chicago has set off to rediscover balance with nature, and explore a modern interpretation of Henry David Thoreau. Tom Montgomery Fate, author of Cabin Fever: A Suburban Father’s Search for the Wild, joins us on Chicago Tonight at [...]

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Emerald Ash Borer

By Jessen O'Brien | Published June 29, 2011 | 8 Comments »

In Chicago and northeastern Illinois, ash trees are everywhere. And wherever there are ash trees, there’s a good chance there are emerald ash borers (EAB). Despite their green color, these beetles are not good for the environment. They are, in fact, responsible for the destruction of the ash trees that comprise an estimated 20 percent [...]

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An Old Train Line Transformed

By Paris Schutz | Published June 14, 2011 | 3 Comments »

City Looks To Create Vibrant Public “Skypark” Where Freight Used To Pass I am standing right below a viaduct at the corner of Marshfield and Bloomingdale on the Near Northwest Side. Above me, I can hear the approaching rumble of… joggers. OK, so it’s more like a pitter-patter. Actually, I can’t really hear anything. But [...]

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Chicago River’s New Direction

By Paris Schutz | Published May 25, 2011 | Comments Off

Venture along the banks of the Chicago River in certain areas, and it’s like you’re miles away from the city. At River Park, near Foster and California Avenues, the scene is bursting with wildlife and recreational activity. Kayakers are paddling down the waterway. Mallards and geese are floating around. An angler reels in about a [...]

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Durbin, Kirk: Federal Money Should Help Pay for Chicago River Cleanup

By Paris Schutz | Published May 22, 2011 | Comments Off

Republican Senator Mark Kirk said on Sunday he hopes Congress can come up with a package that would help pay for cleaning up the Chicago River. He cites EPA numbers that would put that cost at about $242 million. This, despite the fact that both parties, especially Republicans, in Washington have called for major spending [...]

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The Growing Pains of Going Green

By Ash-har Quraishi | Published May 19, 2011 | 9 Comments »

It’s been called one of the greenest homes in the country. But the net-zero energy home, on Chicago’s Northwest side is also spotlighting growing pains in city zoning and the effect some green technology has on neighboring residents. On a quiet, tree-lined street in the Edgebrook neighborhood rests the extreme green dream home of Jacek [...]

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Conservation and Design Come Together in Field Museum Exhibition

By Ash-har Quraishi | Published May 18, 2011 | 1 Comment »

Last week, The Field Museum unveiled its newest exhibition. Design for a Living World features the work of 10 internationally known designers who were tasked with designing everyday items using sustainable materials. Designer Paulina Reyes points out some of the remarkable features of a handbag she designed for The Nature Conservancy’s Design for a Living [...]

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