Chicago To Issue Climate Resilience Grants

Small businesses and nonprofits are eligible for a $5 million fund designed to help the city reach its emissions reduction goals.

1 minute read

December 26, 2022, 8:00 AM PST

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


Chicago, Illinois

My_Ticklefeet / Shutterstock

A new grant program from the city of Chicago will fund climate projects by small businesses and organizations. As Danielle McLean writes in Smart Cities Dive, the fund is part of the city’s effort to reduce its carbon emissions by 62 percent by 2040.

The $5 million Climate Infrastructure Fund will help small businesses and nonprofits pay for renewable energy and energy efficiency improvements in buildings, purchase electric vehicles and install EV charging stations, and enable green infrastructure solutions that capture stormwater and reduces onsite flooding, the city stated in a press release.

According to the press release, applications will be judged based on “climate mitigation and resilience factors, equity impact, and project readiness.”

Wednesday, December 21, 2022 in Smart Cities Dive

Black and white Rideshare Pick-Up Zone sign

The Slow Death of Ride Sharing

From the beginning, TNCs like Lyft and Uber touted shared rides as their key product. Now, Lyft is ending the practice.

June 1, 2023 - Human Transit

Urban sidewalk shaded by large mature trees

Cool Walkability Planning

Shadeways (covered sidewalks) and pedways (enclosed, climate controlled walkways) can provide comfortable walkability in hot climates. The Cool Walkshed Index can help plan these facilities.

June 1, 2023 - Todd Litman

Traffic on the 405 interstate freeway through the Sepulveda Pass at Getty Center Drive in Los Angeles, California

Congestion Pricing Could Be Coming to L.A.

The infamously car-centric city is weighing a proposed congestion pricing pilot program to reduce traffic and encourage public transit use.

May 30, 2023 - Los Angeles Times

Wildfire threatening hillside homes in Yucaipa, California

Home Insurers Are Fleeing California

Homeowners in the state are finding it increasingly difficult to secure insurance policies thanks to the growing risks of wildfire, drought, and other climate threats.

June 7 - Curbed

Aerial view of terminus of Los Angeles River and port infrastructure in Long Beach, California

Los Angeles County Initiates Effort to Advance Equity in Infrastructure

L.A. County Public Works has launched an initiative to center equity in all of its processes, programming, and services as it plans, designs, builds, and maintains modern infrastructure that uplifts all communities of the county.

June 7 - Los Angeles County Public Works

Aerial view of pickleball court with players illuminated for nighttime play

Addressing the Noise Impacts of Pickleball

Pickleball may be America's fastest growing sport, but it is not universally loved because of the noise it causes. Learn one expert's ideas for mitigating the noise impacts.

June 7 - The Hustle

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.