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Water management
Quick Hit
by Brandon Campbell
9:08am
Wed Aug 29, 2012
3 comments

Environmentalists Warn Private Investors Could Hike Illinois Water Fees

Local residents could begin to feel a financial pinch at the kitchen sink as more private investment firms take aim at public water utilities.

That’s according to a new report from a citizen’s advocacy group that shows some major financial players, like JPMorgan Chase, Australian bank Macquarie and the Carlyle Group, are taking advantage of the public sector’s slow recovery from the recent recession by buying up public utilities.

Emily Carroll, Midwest regional director at Food & Water Watch, said Chicago’s water infrastructure system isn’t “at risk of being sold, per se.” But Carroll warned that Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s controversial Infrastructure Trust will smooth the path towards public-private ownership of some Chicago utilities. Read more »

PI Original
by Steven Ross Johnson
2:14pm
Mon Jul 16, 2012
2 comments

Drought Could Have Economic & Political Impact (UPDATED)

Economy

As Illinois continues to linger in the midst of one of its worst droughts in more than two decades, its greatest impact might be felt in the price of food, as a substantial portion of the state’s corn crop could be jeopardized if conditions fail to improve.

PI Original
by Michael Piskur
2:42pm
Wed Nov 23, 2011
1 comment

Two Illinois Cities Applauded For Green Infrastructure

Environment

A report by Natural Resources Defense Council recognizes two Illinois cities for leadership in implementing green infrastructure strategies to deal with stormwater challenges. Chicago and Aurora are among the list of 14 US communities highlighted in the Rooftops to Rivers II report.

PI Original
by Adam Doster
2:02pm
Fri Jun 4, 2010
7 comments

In Chicago River Debate, The Real Obstacle Isn't Daley

Environment

Earlier this week, the Obama administration jumped into a longstanding debate over how clean regional officials should keep the Chicago River. We offer a brief history lesson of the controversy.

Quick Hit
by Adam Doster
9:44am
Wed Apr 21, 2010
1 comment

Save The Water System

After enduring public wrath over the parking meter controversy, the topic of privatization has died down for the time being at City Hall. Consumer advocates, however, know Mayor Daley could move to sell off a major city asset at a moment's notice. To prepare, they've been busy looking into the hidden and delayed costs of privatization.

At a packed forum Monday night, Illinois PIRG and Food and Water Watch released the results of a new study examining the cost to taxpayers of selling off the city's water system. According to their research, consumers would pay $2 to $3 dollars for every $1 the city would receive in an up-front payment. On hand was Chicago Ald. Scott Waguespack (32nd Ward) who touted the Asset Lease Taxpayer Protection Ordinance he introduced last year. It's a measure that deserves attention.

PI Original
by Angela Caputo
1:21pm
Mon Dec 8, 2008

Great Lakes Compact Takes Effect

Great Lakes

After four long years of negotiations, the federal Great Lakes Basin Compact -- a plan to protect the world’s largest supply of freshwater from being diverted across the country -- goes into effect today.

It seemed touch and go
at times, but all eight states that make ...

PI Original
by Angela Caputo
1:58pm
Mon Nov 17, 2008

Environmentalists Set Out To Strengthen Great Lakes Compact

Environment

A decade-long effort to prevent the world's
largest supply of fresh water from being diverted from the region won a
hard-fought victory when the Great Lakes Basin Compact was signed into law
in early October. But some environmentalists are concerned that the
...