Representative García and Local Elected Officials Send Letter to EPA Urging Thorough Investigation into Collateral Channel Pollution

CHICAGO — On Friday, Representative Jesús “Chuy” García (IL-04), alongside state and local elected officials, sent a letter to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Michael Regan and Region 5 Regional Administrator Debra Shore supporting the EPA’s ongoing investigation into pollution in the Collateral Channel.

The Collateral Channel was constructed in the late 19th century, and for many years large amounts of contaminants from industrial discharge have been released into the Channel. Representative García and local elected officials have previously sent letters expressing concern to the EPA about the cumulative impacts of pollution in Little Village and the harm of environmental injustice in IL-04.

“We write to express our support for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s ongoing investigation into pollution in the Collateral Channel that connects West 31st Street to the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal. For years, Little Village neighborhood residents have complained about headaches and nausea caused by the Channel’s foul smell,” the lawmakers wrote. 

“Little Village is an immigrant, working class neighborhood that has been burdened by pollution from industry for decades. It was recently named an ‘environmental justice neighborhood’ by the City of Chicago’s environmental health study. From demolitions leaving the neighborhood coated in ash to air pollution from concentrated diesel truck corridors, Little Village, like many other marginalized communities, has historically been a dumping ground for Chicago’s industrial waste.

“It is unacceptable to continue outsourcing pollution to vulnerable communities, who have no choice in living near toxic waterways, breathing polluted air, or drinking contaminated water. The Collateral Channel is a prime example of the lack of environmental justice for neighborhoods in the Southwest side.

“We urge the EPA to make a swift determination regarding responsibility over the Collateral Channel and its remediation. We also urge the EPA to communicate with residents and local elected officials throughout the evaluation,” continued the lawmakers.

The letter is signed by the following state and local elected officials: State Senator Celina Villanueva, State Representative Edgar Gonzalez, Jr., Cook County Commissioner Alma Anaya, Chicago Alderwoman Jeylú Gutiérrez, and Chicago Alderman Michael D. Rodriguez. 

The full letter is available here. 

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