Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot Visits GreenRise on Earth Day, April 22, 2021

April 22, 2021   As part of Earth Day 2021, the ICA team hosted Mayor Lightfoot for a top-to-botton tour of ICA GreenRise. Mayor Lightfoot was joined by 46th Ward Alderman James Cappleman, 47th Ward Alderman Matt Martin, Chicago Chief Sustainability Officer Angela Tovar and Blacks in Green founder Naomi Davis.

ICA Chief Operating Officer Lesley Showers led the group on visits to the Heartland Alliance Health Center, the rooftop solar panel array and the ICA intentional community floor.

Lesley reflected on the Mayor's visit, "It was a wonderful opportunity to share our vision our vision for positioning GreenRise as a Chicago Carbon Free Demonstration Building. 70% carbon emissions in Chicago come from buildings. Converting older buildings is cheaper and more ecologically sound than tearing them down and starting over. Incorporating our residential communities and nonprofit tenants into our overall approach establishes a model for sustainability." 

ICA's Karen Snyder reports that the Mayor has encouraged Ms. Tovar to work with ICA GreenRise and program staff since August 2020. Angela connected GreenRise with Chicago’s Department of Planning, which has committed a $1.5M grant to ICA during its second closing on its building renovation.