Residents sue the Chicago Public Housing Authority for potential harmful exposure to PCBs.
According to the attorney for the residents of Altgeld Gardens, a Chicago public housing project, a storage yard onsite "was contaminated with PCBs for more than 20 years, and after four years of litigation, a $10.5 million settlement is in the works....The vast majority of the 6,000 public housing residents suing the Chicago Housing Authority are not claiming injuries linked to PCBs. The suit claims the CHA exposed them to potential harm after failing to properly clean the site at the 2,000-unit Far South Side project.CHA employees stored discarded electric transformers in the yard from the mid-1970s until 1984. PCBs were released after employees dumped oil as they took copper from the transformers. The CHA cleaned the site several times between 1984 and the mid-1990s, but...there wasn't a major cleanup until 1999....Under the proposed settlement, each person would likely receive $750 to $1,000 in rent abatement. For plaintiffs who've left Altgeld, which is the majority, the money would go to any creditor." One former CHA environmental specialist commented,"A settlement of this magnitude will make the CHA more careful of handling future environmental issues."
Thanks to Connie Chung
FULL STORY: $10 million payout near over CHA contamination

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series
The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

Washington Legislature Passes Rent Increase Cap
A bill that caps rent increases at 7 percent plus inflation is headed to the governor’s desk.

From Planning to Action: How LA County Is Rethinking Climate Resilience
Chief Sustainability Officer Rita Kampalath outlines the County’s shift from planning to implementation in its climate resilience efforts, emphasizing cross-departmental coordination, updated recovery strategies, and the need for flexible funding.

New Mexico Aging Department Commits to Helping Seniors Age ‘In Place’ and ‘Autonomously’ in New Draft Plan
As New Mexico’s population of seniors continues to grow, the state’s aging department is proposing expanded initiatives to help seniors maintain their autonomy while also supporting family caregivers.
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