New bill could put first wind farm in Lake Michigan off Chicago’s Southeast Side

Community members want guarantees that jobs will go to local residents if the project comes to fruition.

By Andrew Meriwether
wind farm
A wind turbine works on the campus of the Massachusetts Maritime Academy in Bourne, Mass., Wednesday, Aug. 3, 2022. Seth Wenig/Associated Press
wind farm
A wind turbine works on the campus of the Massachusetts Maritime Academy in Bourne, Mass., Wednesday, Aug. 3, 2022. Seth Wenig/Associated Press

New bill could put first wind farm in Lake Michigan off Chicago’s Southeast Side

Community members want guarantees that jobs will go to local residents if the project comes to fruition.

By Andrew Meriwether
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Lake Michigan could be the home of Illinois’ first off-shore wind farm. The Rust Belt to Green Belt Act could help fund wind turbines 15 miles off the coast of Chicago’s Southeast side.

Reset talks to one of the sponsors of the legislation as well as a reporter and community organizer about the details.

GUESTS: Marcus Evans, state representative for District 33 in IL

Maxwell Evans, reporter for Block Club Chicago

Cheryl Johnson, executive director at People for Community Recovery