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What Your City Does:
Air Quality

Chicago’s situation as a hub of industry and transportation means that air quality is a serious concern for the Department of Environment. On a daily basis, the Department must enforce the City’s air pollution control laws and ensure compliance with state and federal regulations.

Each year, the Department of Environment issues permits and conducts inspections at more than 2,100 industrial facilities, taking legal action against facilities that are in violation.

In addition, the City has implemented many voluntary initiatives that encourage better air quality among small businesses, organizations, and individuals.

	Partners for Clean Air
	Clean Air Initiative
	Clean Cities Program

	Partners for Clean Air The Chicago Department of Environment is an active member of Partners for Clean Air, a coalition of approximately 285 Chicago area businesses, government agencies, and environmental groups that promote voluntary actions to improve air quality and reduce ozone air pollution. Ozone air pollution forms when winds are calm, skies are sunny and temperatures are high. With the help of meteorologists who constantly monitor summer air quality, the Partners predict Ozone Action Days and take steps to reduce dangerous emissions that contribute to the problem. Since the formation of Partners for Clean Air, the total number of days that Chicago's air has exceeded the health-based standard has decreased every year. top
	Clean Air Initiative In 1997, the United States Environmental Protection Agency issued new air quality standards. Since big businesses were no longer the biggest smog polluters, meeting the new standards required new ideas. To fulfill these criteria, the Chicago Department of Environment launched a Clean Air Initiative to identify and implement innovative strategies that improve air quality and promote continued economic development in the Chicago region. One component of this initiative focuses on illustrating the benefits of redeveloping sites in the City and suburbs as an alternative to sprawl development. The Clean Communities Campaign allows the City of Chicago to help other suburban communities achieve their goals. top
	Clean Cities Program Because approximately half of Chicago's air pollution comes from motor vehicles, the widespread use of alternative fuels—in place of gasoline—holds promise for improving our air. The Clean Cities Program promotes the use of alternative fuels and alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs). The City of Chicago’s new Clean Fuel Infrastructure will create more than 25 compressed natural gas, propane, and ethanol stations conveniently located for municipal fleets within the six-county region. In addition, the Diesel Retrofits portion of the program involves installing devices that lower emissions by over 90% on Chicago’s city fleets. Eventually, the Department of Environment will offer assistance to school bus, government, and other fleet operators interested in these technologies. top

Find Out More
For details on any of these programs, check out the Chicago Department of Environment website.

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