Little Village Environmental Justice Organization
{{Short description|Non-profit organization in Chicago, Illinois concerned with environmental justice}}
{{Infobox Organization
|name = Little Village Environmental Justice Organization
|formation = {{start date|1994}}
|type = Non-profit
|status =501(c)(3)
|leader_title = Executive Director
|leader_name = Kim Wasserman-Nieto
|website = http://lvejo.org/
}}
The Little Village Environmental Justice Organization (LVEJO) is a non-profit organization based in Chicago, Illinois. Originally founded in 1994, LVEJO's mission is to achieve environmental justice in the Little Village area of Chicago. LVEJO's work is centered around working with the community and aims to address the root of environmental issues.
Establishment
LVEJO was originally founded in 1994.{{Cite web|url=https://southsideweekly.com/citizens-for-an-unpolluted-la-villita/|title=Citizens for an Unpolluted La Villita – South Side Weekly|website=southsideweekly.com|language=en-US|access-date=2018-11-26}} During that summer, Gary Elementary School was refurbishing the windows as well as re-tarring the roof. While this work was going on, students were having asthma attacks, fainting, and were exposed to lead poisoning.{{Cite news|url=https://www.warresisters.org/win/win-fall-2012/no-al-carb%C3%B3n-environmental-racism-chicago|title=No al carbón: Environmental Racism in Chicago|date=2012-11-10|work=War Resisters League|access-date=2018-11-26|language=en}} Parents and community members organized and were able to have the work moved to the night. The success at Gary Elementary led them to create the Little Village Environmental Justice Project, known today as LVEJO.
Accomplishments
= Fisk and Crawford Power Plants Shutdown =
LVEJO was part of a coalition of environmental groups who advocated for the closure of two power plants.{{Cite news|url=https://psmag.com/environment/chicagos-mexican-immigrants-are-fighting-toxic-air-pollution-again|title=Chicago's Mexican Immigrants Are Fighting Toxic Air Pollution—Again|work=Pacific Standard|access-date=2018-11-26|language=en}} Their goal was to gather enough signatures to get a referendum on the 2003 ballot. The referendum asked for an ordinance that required Fisk and Crawford to reduce pollution by 90% by 2006 or permanently shut down.{{Cite news|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-xpm-2012-09-02-ct-biz-0902-crawford-fisk-20120902-story.html|title=Fisk, Crawford coal plants had long history, as did battle to close them|last=reporter|first=Julie Wernau, Chicago Tribune|work=chicagotribune.com|access-date=2018-12-02|language=en-US}} The groups accused the two power plants of increasing asthma rates and other health problems.{{Cite news|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-xpm-2012-05-02-chi-midwest-generation-to-close-2-chicago-coal-plants-20120502-story.html|title=Midwest Generation to close 2 Chicago coal plants early|last=Wernau|first=Julie|work=chicagotribune.com|access-date=2018-12-02|language=en-US}} A 2002 Harvard School of Public Health study looked at the impact that pollution from the Fisk and Crawford coal plants had on health. The study linked pollution from the plants to 41 premature deaths, 550 emergency room visits, 2,800 asthma attacks and 36,000 minor restricted activity days.{{Cite web|url=https://blockclubchicago.org/2018/08/15/plans-to-modernize-little-villages-industrial-corridor-stir-concerns-among-residents/|title=Plans To Modernize Little Village’s Industrial Corridor Stir Concerns Among Residents|website=Block Club Chicago|language=en-US|access-date=2018-11-26}} The National Research Council found that pollution from the power plants cost the surrounding areas $127 million in hidden health costs.{{Cite news|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-met-coal-plant-shutdowns-20120301-story.html|title=2 coal-burning plants to power down early|last=reporter|first=Michael Hawthorne, Chicago Tribune|work=chicagotribune.com|access-date=2018-12-02|language=en-US}} On February 28, 2012, it was announced that both power plants would be shut down.
= Public Transit =
Little Village has a high demand and little access to public transit.{{Cite news|url=https://chi.streetsblog.org/2017/10/05/remembering-community-organizer-and-urban-planner-alma-zamudio/|title=Remembering Urban Planner and Activist Alma Zamudio|date=2017-10-05|work=Streetsblog Chicago|access-date=2018-12-03|language=en-US}} In 1997, the 31st Street bus route was canceled for low ridership leaving Little Village residents with only two bus lines.{{Cite news|url=https://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/latino-activists-transportation-justice-concerns/Content?oid=24259928|title=For Latino activists, transportation justice means factoring in immigration and gentrification|last=Greenfield|first=John|work=Chicago Reader|access-date=2018-12-02|language=en}} LVEJO's efforts resulted in the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) extending the 35th Street bus route to include 31st Street between Kedzie and Cicero in summer 2012. It was announced by CTA president Dorval Carter Jr. that the Lincoln Avenue and 31st Street bus routes would come back on a trial basis in 2016.{{Cite news|url=https://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/did-the-cta-set-up-the-lincoln-avenue-and-31st-street-bus-reboots-to-fail/Content?oid=22232682|title=Did the CTA set up the Lincoln Avenue and 31st Street bus reboots to fail?|last=Greenfield|first=John|work=Chicago Reader|access-date=2018-12-03|language=en}} However, supporters of the routes believe that the trial bus schedule was designed to ensure that it fails to meet the ridership requirements.
= Reclaiming Green Space =
== La Villita Park ==
In 2010, Little Village was ranked as second to last in Chicago neighborhoods in terms of access to open space. After years of community desires for more open space, the first park built in Little Village in over 75 years officially opened in December 2014.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nrpa.org/parks-recreation-magazine/2016/february/latino-residents-champion-for-green-justice-in-little-village/|title=Latino Residents Champion for Green Justice in Little Village {{!}} Social Equity {{!}} Parks and Recreation Magazine {{!}} NRPA|website=www.nrpa.org|language=en|access-date=2018-12-03}} On a plot of land that was previously the Celotox asphalt factory,{{Cite web|url=https://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20131115/little-village/final-celtotex-park-renderings-reflect-little-village-residents-requests/|title=Final Celtotex Park Renderings Reflect Little Village Residents' Requests|website=DNAinfo Chicago|access-date=2018-12-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181203152053/https://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20131115/little-village/final-celtotex-park-renderings-reflect-little-village-residents-requests/|archive-date=2018-12-03|url-status=dead}} the 22 acre park is the city's largest brownfield conversion to date. It also doubled the amount of open space in Little Village. The park contains two soccer fields, two basketball courts, two baseball fields, a skate park and a playground.{{Cite news|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/ct-little-village-park-opening-met-20141214-story.html|title=Mayor cuts ribbon at Little Village park|last=Baer|first=Stephanie K.|work=chicagotribune.com|access-date=2018-12-03|language=en-US}}
== Semillas de Justicia ==
In 2012, LVEJO began creating a community garden on a plot of remediated brownfield.{{Cite news|url=https://www.webuildagency.org/work/2018/10/semillas-de-justicia-garden-shelter|title=semillas de justicia garden shelter|work=We Build Agency|access-date=2018-12-03|language=en-US}} The garden was named Semillas de Justicia (Seeds of Justice).{{Cite news|url=https://news.illinoisstate.edu/2017/10/chicago-community-celebrates-local-gardeners/|title=Chicago community celebrates local gardeners - News - Illinois State|date=2017-10-31|work=News - Illinois State|access-date=2018-12-03|language=en-US}} A goal of the garden was to give community members a place to grow organic food that they can no longer afford and to bring the Little Village community together. {{Cite news|url=https://whyhunger.org/category/blog/building-community-power-little-village-environmental-justice-organization/|title=Building Community Power With the Little Village Environmental Justice Organization - WhyHunger|date=2014-10-21|work=WhyHunger|access-date=2018-12-03|language=en-US}} As of October 2017, there are approximately thirty residential gardeners that work on the garden. LVEJO hosts a variety of events on the garden such as an annual Harvest Fest, weekly community dinners, art classes, and educational workshops.{{Cite web|url=http://lvejo.org/our-accomplishments/community-garden/|title=Community Garden {{!}} LVEJO|website=lvejo.org|language=en-US|access-date=2018-12-03}}
Active Campaigns
= 31st Street Collateral Channel =
With the success of La Villita Park, LVEJO has focused on the pollution coming from the 31st Street Collateral Channel.{{Cite web|url=http://sjnnchicago.medill.northwestern.edu/blog/2017/08/28/facing-new-threats-development-plans-little-villages-fight-environmental-justice-escalating/|title=Facing New Threats and Development Plans, Little Village’s Fight For Environmental Justice is Escalating|last=marthabayne|date=2017-08-28|website=Social Justice News Nexus|language=en-US|access-date=2018-12-12}} The water in the channel is contaminated with heavy metals and sewage that create toxic bubbles that release methane. Researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago have found high levels of heavy metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the water. {{Cite web|url=http://www.chicagomag.com/Chicago-Magazine/September-2015/Five-of-the-Rankest-Spots-in-Chicago/|title=Five of the Smelliest Spots in Chicago|last=Trotter|first=Kerry|website=Chicago magazine|language=en|access-date=2018-12-12}} Although there have been proposals to redevelop the area, LVEJO believes that the environmental hazards must be dealt with first.