Public Engagement

Health Impact Assessment 

CDPH has been working closely with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for the past several months to conduct a health impact assessment (HIA) of the Southside Recycling application. An HIA is a process to evaluate the health impacts of a proposed project or policy. In this case, we are applying environmental justice principles to analyze the potential environmental, health, and quality of life considerations associated with having a large recycling facility operate on the Southeast Side of Chicago. More information is available on our Health Impact Assessment page.

You are invited to join us for a series of public engagement sessions this fall to inform and receive updates on the HIA.

While we had hoped to meet in person, your health and safety is our top priority. Given the current state of COVID-19 in Chicago, with our case rate back at very high transmission following the Thanksgiving holiday, we will err on the side of public health caution and return to the original plan for a virtual session. Here are the final details: 

Date: Thursday, December 9th  

Time: 5:30-7:30 p.m. 

Registration Link: https://www.chicagohan.org/ViewsFlash/servlet/viewsflash?cmd=showform&pollid=EXT!HIAENGDec9 (those who have already registered do not need to register again) 

Meeting Link: will be provided to registered attendees by Wednesday at noon 

We truly apologize for all the updates to this meeting date and location. Each change was done with an eye toward making the session as inclusive, interactive and safe as possible, but we understand this has caused confusion and challenges with your planning.  

CDPH will not be sharing new information at this session. It is instead an opportunity for you to provide community insight for the health impact assessment (HIA) we are conducting with the US EPA. We are most interested in how you experience the potential benefits and burdens of the proposed permit, and what changes to policy or process you recommend to more fully support the health of your community on the Southeast side. The session will consist primarily of online small group breakout discussions where you'll have an opportunity to offer your perspective. We'll capture this feedback to include as an important, direct input into the HIA report. The breakout groups will be recorded and we'll circulate a survey after the meeting for anyone unable to attend. 

Thank you for your ongoing engagement, even as we have navigated these meeting changes. We look forward to seeing you virtually this Thursday evening.   

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Esperábamos conocerlo en persona pero su salud y seguridad son nuestra principal prioridad. Dado el estado actual de COVID-19 en Chicago, con nuestra tasa de casos de transmisión alta, por precaución de salud pública regresaremos al plan original de una sesión virtual. Estos son los detalles finales:

Fecha: jueves 9 de diciembre

Hora: 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Enlace de Registro: https://www.chicagohan.org/ViewsFlash/servlet/viewsflash?cmd=showform&pollid=EXT!HIAENGDec9 (aquellos que ya se han registrado no necesitan registrarse de nuevo)

Enlace a la Reunión: se proporcionará a participantes registrados antes del miércoles al mediodía

Nos disculpamos por todas las actualizaciones de la fecha y el lugar de esta reunión. Cada cambio se hizo con la esperanza de hacer que la sesión fuera lo más inclusiva, interactiva y segura posible pero entendemos que esto ha causado confusión.

El CDPH no compartirá información nueva en esta sesión. En cambio, esta será una oportunidad para que usted brinde información sobre su comunidad para la (HIA) que estamos llevando a cabo con la EPA. Estamos más interesados en saber cómo el permiso propuesto lo beneficiaria o impactaría a usted, y qué cambios en la política o el proceso recomienda para apoyar más plenamente la salud de su comunidad. La sesión consistirá principalmente en discusiones de grupos pequeños en línea donde tendrá la oportunidad de ofrecer su perspectiva. Recopilaremos estos comentarios para incluirlos como un aporte directo en el informe de la (HIA). Los grupos de trabajo se grabarán y se distribuirá una encuesta después de la reunión para personas que no puedan asistir.

Gracias por su compromiso continuo, incluso por estos cambios de la reunión. Esperamos verlo virtualmente este jueves por la noche.

 

CDPH developed guidelines for public engagement during the permitting process for large recycling facilities. The guidelines provide opportunities for the public to comment on the permitting process, in writing and potentially, at a public meeting. They also provide a detailed timeline for the public posting of permit applications, application review, preparation and posting of a draft permit and permit issuance. This engagement and review process  applies to consequential large recycling facilities – those that handle construction debris, process vehicles, have a history of environmental violations, or are located close to sensitive areas such as residences, parks, and schools. RMG’s application to expand a recycling facility on the Southeast Side is the first to be held to the strengthened standards in the rules for large recycling facilities and reviewed using this new public engagement process. 

A Public Hearing took place on Thursday, December 10. Information related to that hearing is below:

 

 
Information related to the Community Town Hall on July 25, 2020