Earth Day Network
 Urban Environment Report: How Does Your City Perform?
 
CITY ENVIRONMENT DATA
Chicago, Illinois
State Illinois
City Chicago
County1 Cook*
City Population (2005)2 2,701,926 21.7 % of state population
City Population Rank in United States, largest 50 Cities (2005) 3 (of top 50 in U.S.)
City Population Rank in Urban Environment Report (2005) 3 (of 72 in EDN study)
City Population Rank in State (2005) 1
City Size Classification - Population Very Large
City Size Classification - Population Density High Density
State Capitol City Springfield
State Population (2005)2 12,440,351
 
 
CIVIC LEADERSHIP INFORMATION
Mayor Name (as of 1/1/2007) Richard Daley
Mayor/City Website (as of 1/1/2007) http://egov.cityof chicago.org.city/webportal/home.do
Mayor/City Contact (as of 1/1/2007) 312-744-3300
Mayor Political Affiliation (as of 1/1/2007) Democrat
Next General Mayoral Election Tuesday, February 27, 2007
US Mayors Climate Protection Agreement as of 10/18/06 Yes
State Governor Name Rod R. Blagojevich
State/Governor Website http://www.illinois.gov/
State/Governor Contact Information 217-782-6830
State/Governor Party Affiliation Democrat
State Governor Current Term Ends January 1, 2011
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Note: All rank information is out of 72 cities, though not all may have reported in every category.
1 is the 'best' (least polluting, most tree cover, etc) and 72 is the 'worst'.
 

(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
 
EDN VULNERABLE POPULATION INDEX (EDN VPI) 1.37    
Vulnerable Population Estimate 19.2%    
     Disability Status 12.0% 14  
     Emphysema 1.20% 42  
     Cardiovascular Disease 24.15% 40  
     Diabetes 5.08% 39  
     Pediatric Asthma 8.50% 29  
     Adult Asthma 8.66% 46  
     Adult Obesity 20.5%   27
     People Without Health Insurance 14.2%   26
     Age: Children under 5 years 7.9% 49  
     Age: 65 years and over 10.0% 23  
     Not Literate (Adult Level 1 Literacy) 37.0% 61  
     Adults without High School Degree (or higher) 23.4% 18  
     High School Drop-Out Rate 51.2% 23  
     Unemployed (Civilian Labor Force) 11.0% 58  
     Individuals Below Poverty 21.1% 53  
     Children (under 18 years old) Below Poverty 28.1% 49  
     Free or Reduced Lunch (Not Available) (Not Available)  
     Other Languages Spoken at Home (primary language is not English) 34.3% 54  
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
1 • TOXICS & WASTE     (metadata) (score) 3.7    
Overall Toxics Rank Average 36.9 (of 51) 49  
Cumulative Cancer-Causing Chemical Releases by State (pounds, 1987 - 2000) 137,549,496 pounds   45
Cumulative Developmental Toxicant Releases by State (pounds, 1987 - 2000) 216,280,807 pounds 48
Cumulative Reproductive Toxicant Releases by State (pounds, 1987 - 2000) 75,960,349 pounds 46
Cumulative Suspected Neurological Toxicant Releases by State (pounds, 1987 - 2000) 970,355,568 pounds 44
Cumulative Suspected Respiratory Toxicant Releases by State (pounds, 1987 - 2000) 964,536,939 pounds 44
Dioxin Releases by State (grams in 2000) 50.0 grams 30
Number of Superfund Sites in County 0 sites 1  
Municipal Solid Waste Generation, tons per person (1997) 1.005 tons per person 24
Recycling Rate (1997) 28.0% 21
Tons Municipal Solid Waste Generated by State (2004) 23,950,931 tons 48
Municipal Solid Waste Generated Per Capita by State, tons/person (2004) 1.9 tons/person 47
Tons Municipal Solid Waste Recycled by State (2004) 9,030,574 tons 2
% Municipal Solid Waste Recycled by State (2004) 37.7% 9
% Municipal Solid Waste to Waste-to-Energy (2004) 0.0% 36
% Change in Municipal Solid Waste Generated (1997 to 2004) 89.1% 46
% Change in State Recycling Rate (1997 to 2004) 34.6% 6
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
2 • AIR QUALITY     (metadata) (score)    3.7***    
Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) Released, Tons in 2002 353,700 tons   38
Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) Released, Tons in 2002 174,200 tons   41
Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Released, Tons in 2002 100,116,900 tons   43
Mercury Released, Pounds in 2002 6,210.0 pounds   44
High Ozone Days (annual # of, Weighted Average) (2001-2003) 12.2 days 47  
Short-term Particle Pollution Weighted Average, 24 Hour (2001 - 2003) 11.7 PM2.5 62  
Year-Round Particle Pollution - Design Value (Annual PM2.5) (2001 - 2003) 17.3 PM2.5 55  
High Ozone Days (annual # of, Weighted Average) (2002 - 2004) 8.2 days 41  
Short-term Particle Pollution Weighted Average, 24 Hour (2002 - 2004) 7.0 PM2.5 58  
Year-Round Particle Pollution - Design Value (Annual PM2.5) (2002 - 2004) 16.0 PM2.5 53  
EPA Ambient Carbon Monoxide (CO) (8-hr ppm) 3 ppm 16  
EPA Ambient Lead (PB) Q Max (ug/m3) 0.08 ug/m3 21  
EPA Mean Ambient Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2 ppm) 0.031 ppm 53  
EPA Larger Particle (PM10) 24-hr (ug/m3) 33 ug/m3 45  
EPA Mean Ambient Sulfur Dioxide (SO2 ppm) (Not Available) (Not Available)  
EPA Days over 100 AQI (Warning Level) 10 days 23  
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
3 • DRINKING & SURFACE WATER     (metadata) (score) 2.6    
DRINKING WATER QUALITY
Tap Water Quality & Compliance Grade Excellent ---  
Right to Know Report, What's in your Tap Water Grade Good ---  
Drinking Water Source Protection Grade Fair ---  
WATERSHED & RESOURCES
Watershed Name Chicago ---  
# of Units in Watershed 59 units 29  
# of Assessed Watershed Units 45 units 21  
# of Threatened & Impaired Watershed Units 40 units 45  
% of Watershed Units Assessed as Impaired or Threatened 88.9% 47  
% of Watershed Units Not Assessed 23.7% 37  
U.S. Census Annual Rainfall, inches (1961-1990) 37.38 inches 31  
Water Area Total, square miles 2,325 square miles 32  
Water Area Inland, square miles 750 square miles 45  
Water Area Coastal, square miles 0 square miles 35  
Water Area Great Lakes, square miles 1,575 square miles 7  
Average # of Days with Precipitation of .01 Inch or More to 1998, Station Chicago ---  
Average # of Days with Precipitation of .01 Inch or More to 1998, Length of record in years 40 years 55  
Average # of Days with Precipitation of .01 Inch or More to 1998, Annual 125 days 15  
Snow & Ice Pellets (thru 1998), Station Chicago ---  
Snow & Ice Pellets (thru 1998), Length of record in years 39 years 58  
Snow & Ice Pellets, Annual inches (thru 1998) 37.6 inches 17  
WATER WITHDRAWN
Water Withdrawn - Total, gallons/day 19,900,000,000 gallons/day 16  
Fresh Water Withdrawn - Per capita, gallons/day 1,680,000,000 gallons/day 18  
Ground water, gallons/day 953,000,000 gallons/day 36  
Surface water, gallons/day 19,000,000,000 gallons/day 16  
Irrigation, gallons/day 180,000,000 gallons/day 44  
Public Supply, gallons/day 1,950,000,000 gallons/day 19  
Industrial, gallons/day 527,000,000 gallons/day 32  
Thermo-Electric, gallons/day 17,100,000,000 gallons/day 1  
Fresh Water Consumption, gallons/day 857,000,000 gallons/day 37  
WATER POLLUTION
Water Supplier Chicago Dept. of Water Management ---  
Number of People Served by Water Supplier 2,783,726 people 3  
Year(s) Included in Summary 1998-2003 ---  
Total Contaminants Detected 17 contaminants 38  
Contaminants Detected, Over Health Based Limits 4 contaminants 40  
Agricultural Pollutants Detected 5 contaminants 48  
Agricultural Pollutants Detected, Over Health Based Limits 0 contaminants 1  
Sprawl and Urban Pollutants Detected 4 contaminants 34  
Sprawl and Urban Pollutants Detected, Over Health Based Limits 1 contaminant 32  
Industrial Pollutants Detected 6 contaminants 18  
Industrial Pollutants Detected, Over Health Based Limits 1 contaminant 29  
Water Treatment & Distribution By-Products Detected 10 contaminants 52  
Water Treatment & Distribution By-Products Detected, Over Health Based Limits 4 contaminants 39  
Naturally Occurring Contaminants Detected 5 contaminants 18  
Naturally Occurring Contaminants Detected, Over Health Based Limits 1 contaminant 33  
WATER HEALTH & TESTING SUMMARY
Contaminants in Tap Water 17 contaminants 38  
Contaminants in Tap Water, Over Health Based Limits 4 contaminants 40  
Contaminants Reported as Tested by this Water Supplier 112 contaminants 36  
Contaminants with Federal Legal Limit in Tap Water 73 contaminants ---  
Regulated Contaminants Tested 102 contaminants 28  
Unregulated Contaminants Tested 10 contaminants 49  
WATER VIOLATION SUMMARY
Total Violations 1 violation 35  
Health Violations 0 violations 1  
Monitoring Violations 0 violations 1  
Reporting Violations 1 violation 63  
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
4 • QUALITY OF LIFE (SITES4)     (metadata) (score)    3.0***    
DENSITY & SPRAWL
Population Density, people per square mile of land area 12,750.3 people per square mile 3  
Housing Density, units per square mile of land area 5,075.8 housing units per square mile 4  
TRANSPORTATION
Mean Travel Time to Work, minutes (2000) 35.2 minutes 71  
Mean Travel Time to Work, minutes (2004) 35.0 minutes 71  
Means of Transportation - % Carpool (2000) 14.5% 26  
Means of Transportation - % Public (2000) 26.1% 6  
Means of Transportation - % Walk or Bike (2000) 6.4% 16  
Means of Transportation - % Work @ Home (2000) 2.4% 49  
Cost of Living: Transportation, % of National Average 118.4 66  
Motor Vehicle Registrations per 100 Residents (2003) 74.4 MV registrations   12
% Change in Motor Vehicle Registrations (1980 to 2003) 23.7%   8
Motor Vehicle Registrations - Autos Only per 100 Residents (2003) 46.4 MV registrations   23
Motor Vehicle Registrations per Licensed Driver (2003) 1.15 MV registrations   21
Total State Highway Mileage (2003) 138,526 miles   49
Total State Highway Mileage, Estimated % of Land Area (2003) 0.566%   41
Urban Highway Mileage, % of Total State Highway Mileage (2003) 26.7%   18
Total Highway Mileage per Licensed Driver (2003) 0.02 miles   18
Total Highway Mileage per Motor Vehicle Registration (2003) 14.98 miles   17
State $ Disbursements for Highways (2003) $4,595,000,000   45
State $ Disbursements for Highways, per highway mile (2003) $33,171 per mile   36
% Change in State Disbursements for Highways (1995 to 2003) 52.9%   23
Annual Person Hours of Delay, per person (2003) 31.0 hous per person 43  
Annual Congestion Cost, $ per person (2003) $526 per person 43  
Annual Congestion Delay and Fuel Cost (2003) $4,274,000,000 50  
Fuel Wasted, gallons per person (2003) 19 gallons per person 43  
INCOME & EMPLOYMENT
Median Household Income (2004) $40,656 29  
Median Household Income (2000) $38,625 30  
Per capita income (2004) $23,162 28  
Per capita Personal Income (2000) $20,175 42  
% of Families Below Poverty Level (2004) 18.1% 56  
% of Individuals Below Poverty Level (1999) 19.6% 48  
% of Individuals Below Poverty Level (2004) 21.1% 53  
% of Households with Public Assistance Income (2000) 6.9% 57  
% of Children Under 18 Years Old Below Poverty Level (1999) 28.1% 49  
People In the Labor Force, Unemployed (2005) 148,627 people 65  
% In the Labor Force: Unemployed (2005) 7.2% 59  
% of the Civilian Labor Force: Unemployed (2005) 11.0% 58  
% In the Labor Force: Unemployed (2000) 6.2% 64  
% of the Civilian Labor Force Unemployed (2000) 10.1% 62  
% Change in the Labor Force Unemployed (2000 to 2005) 13.9% 24  
% Change in the Civilian Labor Force Unemployed (2000 to 2005) 8.2% 24  
State Minimum Wage Laws (2006) Higher than Federal ---  
State Minimum Wage Rates (2006) $6.50 per hour 19  
EDUCATION
# of School Age Kids K-12 (ages 5 to 17) 508,832 kids (4.1 % of total pop.) 3  
Largest School District Enrollment 435,261 kids (3.5 % of total pop.) 3  
% on Free or Reduced Lunch (Not Available) (Not Available)  
Cumulative Promotion Index (CPI) Graduation Rate 48.8% 47  
Level of Education: % with High School Degree or Higher (2004) 76.6% 55  
Level of Education: % with Bachelor's Degree or Higher (2004) 29.7% 33  
Adult Level 1 Literacy Rate 37% 61  
State School Bus Efficiency (2002) Middle of the Road   ---
State School Bus Soot Pollution Grade C   ---
State School Bus Cleanup Program Rank (2006) Average   ---
State School Bus Smog Pollution Rank (2006) Average   ---
HOUSING & COST OF LIVING
Occupied Housing Units (2004) 1,008,855 units 3  
% of Owner Occupied Housing 51.5% 24  
Cost of Living: Housing 193.3 62  
Cost of Living: Utilities 105.5 43  
Cost of Living: Miscellaneous 106.3 57  
Cost of Living: Overall 139.3 62  
CIVIC ENGAGEMENT
Voter Turnout in the Election of November 2004 60.73%   31
State Voter Turnout Rate: 2002 Election 43.10%   26
State Voter Turnout Rate: 2004 Election 61.40%   32
State Volunteering Rate: 2002-2005 Combined 29.2%   29
SAFETY/SECURITY
Total Crime Rate, Incidents per 100,000 people (2004) 6,095.2 incidents per 100,000 people 31  
Violent Crime Rate, Incidents per 100,000 people (2004) 1,217.8 incidents per 100,000 people 53  
Property Crime Rate, Incidents per 100,000 people (2004) 4,877.4 incidents per 100,000 people 26  
Total Crime Rate, Incidents per 100,000 people (2003) 6,290.0 incidents per 100,000 people 31  
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
5 • PARKS & RECREATION OPPORTUNITIES     (metadata) (score) 3.3    
Average # of Parks, per square mile 2.4 parks per square mile 9  
Average Area Dedicated to Parks, per city square mile 32.2 park acres per city square mile 28  
Park Area per 1000 Residents, acres 4.0 acres 46  
Parkland as % of City Area 8.0% 24  
Adjusted Park Spending, per resident $131 per resident 39  
Total City Tree Canopy % 4.9% 46  
Total City Urbanized Area % 90.1% 65  
Park Programs to Assist Low-Income Park Users Some ---  
Disability Advisory Committees Some ---  
Collection of Data on Crime in Parks Yes ---  
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
6 • HUMAN & PUBLIC HEALTH     (metadata) (score) 2.7    
Pediatric Asthma, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 8.50% 29
Adult Asthma, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 8.66% 46
Chronic Bronchitis, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 3.09% 34
Emphysema, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 1.20% 42
Cardiovascular Disease, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 24.15% 40
Diabetes, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 5.08% 39  
% of Adults with Obesity (2001) 20.5% 27
Change in % of Adults with Obesity (1991-2001) 7.8% 17
CDC Obesity Trends U.S. Adults 1992 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Prevalence Rate (1992) 10%-14% ---
CDC Obesity Trends U.S. Adults 1997 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Prevalence Rate (1997) 15%-19% ---
CDC Obesity Trends U.S. Adults 2003 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Prevalence Rate (2003) 20%-24% ---
% of Adults Lacking Healthcare Insurance, ages 18 - 65 (2001) 10.0% 16
Infant Mortality Rate (2002) 7.4% 30
Number of Cancer Deaths per 100,000 people (2002) 201.6 36
Cost of Living: Health 116.5 51  
% of People without Health Insurance Coverage by State (2003-04 Average) 14.2% 28
% of People without Health Insurance Coverage by State (2004-05 Average) 14.2% 26
Rate of Change in People without Health Insurance Coverage, between 2003-2004 and 2004-2005 0.0% 24
Change in People without Health Insurance Coverage, between 2003-2004 and 2004-2005 0.0% 24
Number of small, local, sustainable food sources: Farms 4 farms 54
Number of small, local, sustainable food sources: Farmers' Markets 57 markets 4
Number of small, local, sustainable food sources: Restaurants 5 restaurants 11
Number of small, local, sustainable food sources: Groceries 4 grocery stores 11
Number of small, local, sustainable food sources: Other 6 other sources 11
Cost of Living: Food 105.3 42
Lung Cancer Deaths/100,000 Men (1999-2003) 75.0% 33
Lung Cancer Deaths/100,000 Women (1999-2003) 40.7% 31
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
7 • GLOBAL WARMING CLIMATE CHANGE     (metadata) (score) 3.0    
Mini-Kyoto Participant, US Mayors Climate Protection Agreement (as of 10/18/06) Yes ---
Number of State and Local Net Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Programs 0 programs   32
Net Metering Net Metering Offered by only one or more Individual Utilities   ---
Net Metering Residential Size Limit 40 kW   17
Net Metering Commercial Size Limit 40 kW   24
Completed Climate Action Plans Completed State Climate Action Plan   ---
Regional Initiatives No   ---
States with Greenhouse Gas Inventories Yes   ---
States with Greenhouse Gas Reporting & Registries Yes   ---
States with Public Benefit Funds Funds Support Energy Effeciency & Renewable Energy   ---
States with Renewable Portfolio Standards 8%   17
Date set for Renewable Portfolio Standards 2013   6
States with Green Pricing Programs Optional   ---
States with Renewable Energy Credit Tracking Systems Yes   ---
States with Mandates and Incentives Promoting Ethanol Exercises Tax credit/exemption and/or grant supporting ethanol use   ---
States with Residential Energy Codes No Residential Energy Codes   ---
States with Commercial Energy Codes No Commercial Energy Codes   ---
Green Building Standards for State Buildings None   ---
ICLEI's Cities for Climate Protection Participant (US CCP) Yes ---
% of State Generation that is from Renewable sources (2003) 0.6%   48
Average percentage of possible sunshine thru 1998: Length of record (years) 37 years 54
Average percentage of Possible Sunshine: Annual 52% 48
Annual Average wind speed, m.p.h. 10.4 mph 17
January Average wind speed, m.p.h. 11.7 mph 9
July Average wind speed, m.p.h. 8.4 mph 23
Heating Degree Days 6,536 days 49
Cooling Degree Days 752 days 22
Average Relative Humidity (%), Length of record (years) 40 years 13
Annual Morning Average Relative Humidity (%) 80% 26
Annual Afternoon Average Relative Humidity (%) 61% 44
Elevation, feet 587 feet 38
 
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
BACKGROUND INFORMATION      
SIZE & CLASSIFICATION
City Population (2005)2 2,701,926 3 (of 72 in EDN study) 21.7 % of state population
City Population (2000) 2,896,016 3 (of 72 in EDN study)  
State Population (2005)2 12,440,351 5 (of 51 in EDN study)  
General Region Midwest ---  
EPA Region 5 ---  
PHYSICAL QUALITIES
City Land Area, square miles 227.0 square miles 21 0.4 % of state land area
State Land Area, square miles 55,593 square miles 24  
Watershed Name Chicago ---  
Elevation, feet 587 ft. (178.5 m) 35  
Average Daily Temperature - January 22.0 °F (-5.6°C) 62
Average Daily Temperature - July 73.3 °F (22.9°C) 20  
DEMOGRAPHIC SUMMARY
Median Age 33.0 years 29  
18 years and older, % of population (2004) 73.4% 46  
65 years and older, % of population (2004) 10.0% 49  
Under 5 years of age 215,290 kids (7.9% of total pop.) 3  
One Race-White % (2005) 38.6% 60  
One Race - Non-white % (2005) 61.4% 13  
Hispanic or Latino, of any race % (2005) 28.8% 19  
% of Population who Speak a non-English Language at Home (2004) 34.3% 19  
Largest School District Name City of Chicago District 299 ---  
 
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1 Use of the * within the County field indicates the city is in multiple counties. Typically the county for which the city serves as a county seat was selected.
2 Use of the * within the Population Rank Indicates year 2000 data was used since year 2004 data was not available.
3 Scores in parenthesis indicate partial scores, e.g. at least one scored indicator was not available or reported for this city.
4 SITES is an acronym developed by EDN as a summary for the 'Safety, Income, Transportation, Education and Sprawl' Topic.
 
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© 2006 Earth Day Network