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Community leaders urge Chicago Board to approve Green Schools resolution, citing health, jobs and savings
Summary
More than a dozen community members, labor leaders and parents urged the Chicago Board of Education to adopt a Healthy/Green Schools resolution and pilot clean-energy projects at district schools, saying the work would improve drinking water and air quality, lower energy costs and connect students to green‑jobs pathways.
Speakers at the Chicago Board of Education agenda review committee meeting on June 11 urged the board to pass a resolution backing a Green Schools pilot and to move quickly so projects can begin this summer.
The push came during the meeting’s public participation period, where labor, environmental‑justice and parent leaders emphasized school building failures — from poor drinking water to inconsistent HVAC systems — and framed green infrastructure as a way to improve health, lower energy bills and create job pipelines for students.
Marcus Jordan, who identified himself as DEIA coordinator with Operating Engineers Local 150 and partner to area vocational programs, said the effort “isn't just about solar panels and HVAC upgrades. It's about unlocking long‑term opportunity for CPS students through clean‑energy work.” He added, “We're not just building green schools. We are building a sustainable workforce shaped by Chicago.”
Several speakers tied facilities upgrades to equity. Gail Smith, a retired teacher with 1 Northside, described parents’ concerns about water and air quality and said delaying a vote would “give a message that it's not that important or urgent.” Anna Harrell, a Lane Tech graduate, said mercury discoveries, poor HVAC and neglected fountains had disrupted learning and urged the board to “step in by signing on to the Healthy Green Schools pilot program.”
Community groups described workforce components of the proposal. Kendrick Hall of People for Community Recovery and others said pilot projects could be paired with pre‑apprenticeship and job training so students and neighbors access local green jobs; Marcus Jordan cited geothermal pilots and Illinois Works funding as existing supports.
Speakers asked the board to ensure the district reviews contractor agreements, involves families and staff in implementation and aims grants and savings at the schools with the largest environmental burdens. Multiple speakers returned to the point that energy savings should be reinvested into schools in environmental‑justice neighborhoods.
The comments did not include a formal board vote on the resolution during the agenda review meeting; speakers urged that the board adopt the resolution at the upcoming June 26 regular meeting so pilot work can proceed in summer. The record of public speakers will be part of the board’s public materials for that vote.
Community advocates and union leaders said they will continue outreach to state and city officials to align funding for the projects and cited the need to protect communities that face elevated pollution burdens.
