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Your voice. Your vote. Your parks. The Chicago Park District's Citywide Participatory Budgeting (PB) initiative gives community members the opportunity to help decide how funding will be invested in parks across the city. Community members can rank the project categories they believe should be prioritized, with the top-voted category receiving funding for improvements throughout Chicago's Central, North, and South Regions. Voting is open to all community members ages 13 and u

8/15 Love Our Lakefront: Celebrating Nature in the City Once a US Steel Factory - Now Open Space & Quantum Campus Novel Ecosystems: Nature Reclaims the Lakefront! Activities: Information and Conversation, Free Snacks and Drinks Schedule of Activities: 10:00am-12:00pm: Climb a former Factory Wall - Supervision and equipment provided by the Park District 11:00am Talk and Walk on Novel Ecosystems: Nature changes old industrial sites 12:00pm & 1:00pm: Nature and Tree Walks by Ope

Hey folks! The name is Clive, and I'm absolutely excited to be joining the Edgewater Environmental Coalition as the newest intern this summer! I'm currently a student at Loyola University Chicago studying Environmental Policy. My interests are centered around community organizing, environmental advocacy, nature-based solutions, urban planning, and passing legislation across all levels of government. On campus, I serve as the Community Partnerships Chair for Loyola's Student E

Hi all! I have just completed my final semester at Loyola and am wrapping everything up with EEC. I really enjoyed my time interning here and am eternally grateful for the support I recieved from Renee, EEC, and the broader community. I loved getting to know the environmental community here in Edgewater, and I plan on staying involved as a volunteer in the future. Between planning events (shoutout Parkways for Pollinators bike ride and seed sharing!), sending the monthly news

Hello EEC friends, community members, and environmental stewards! Happy (almost) Earth Day! In our last meeting, we discussed various local environmental initiatives, public electric vehicle charging infrastructure, and home insulation and electrification in Chicago. Keep reading for more information about corresponding contacts and events for these topics and more! Are you a part of our Google group ? Join the forum here to receive local environmental updates from us an

Chicago has one of the most spectacular urban waterfronts in the world, but it faces regular threats. Concerted efforts can protect the lake, keep it free and open to the public, and expand awareness of nature-based solutions for shoreline erosion. It is especially important to include underserved populations and residents who live far from the water in the grassroots movement, to be empowered in leading the efforts to protect the lakefront. Why Chicago’s Lakefront Needs Prot

We invite you to join us for volunteering opportunities during the 2026 gardening season ! All reoccuring events are now posted. Stay tuned for one-off volunteering opportunities as we progress through the season. See you out there! Join us for a fun-filled day of volunteering at Vedgewater Volunteer Days and make a positive impact in our community! The first Vedgewater Community Garden Workday of the season is April 11th from 10:30am-1:30pm! RSVP here . Following workdays wi

Join EEC and the Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition to raise your voice in opposition to Peoples Gas proposed $200 million rate hike! When: Wednesday, April 1, 2026 Time: 5:30pm CT Daley Plaza 50 West Washington St. Chicago, IL 60602 Just three years after pushing for the biggest rate hike in Illinois history, Peoples Gas is back to ask for even more money from its customers. Peoples Gas wants to charge Chicago residents more money for its expensive pipelines that come with a

Hello EEC friends, community members, and environmental stewards! Keep reading for updates on the repeal of the Endangerment Finding , upcoming Peoples Gas Rate Hike rallies , our upcoming events , and more. In our last meeting, we discussed further steps for EEC's campaigns and events, sustainable development in Edgewater, and saw a presentation about the Plastic Pellet Free Waters Act . We look forward to seeing you soon! Meeting Highlights Read about the Environment

After an abundant 2025 growing season, the 184 Vedgewater plots, native plants, fruit trees, and garden beehive have been put to bed for the winter. With 173 plots tended by community members in 2025, including 39 new gardeners, we provided our community with the opportunity to learn about vegetable gardening, growing their own organic food, native pollinator plants, and sustaining our vibrant Edgewater community. Interest in the garden grew substantially in 2025, with 302