The Landscape of Green Infrastructure by maggieschafer3

The Landscape of

Green Infrastructure in Chicago

Fall 2022

Acknowledgement The Nathalie P. Voorhees Center for Neighborhood and Community Improvement (Voorhees Center) is an applied research and technical assistance unit in the College of Urban Planning and Public Affairs at the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC). Its mission is to promote quality of life and wellbeing by assisting and working with community organizations, government agencies and other stakeholders in efforts to understand and develop communities. The UIC Voorhees Center is an EDA University Center designated by the US Economic Development Administration. This research project is a component of the larger green economic development effort supported by the EDA UC Program. We are grateful for the support provided by EDA to the Voorhees Center to promote and support green economic development in the Chicago Region. The content and conclusions in this report reflect the views of the research team and not necessarily that of EDA. Project Team:

Yittayih Zelalem (PI), Director Heaven Silva, Research Specialist Maggie Schafer, Research Assistant

Nathalie P. Voorhees Center for Neighborhood and Community Improvement

Contents Introduction 4 Section I: Green Infrastructure Up Close Current workforce Sub-Sectors and Stakeholders Employment Requirements Government Programs

8 9 13 14

Section II: Challenges and Strategies

Section III

A. Challenges B. Strategies

17 22

Conclusion 22 Section III: Data Analysis

Methodology 31 Industry Overview 33 Key Findings 36 Occupation Groups: “Deep Dives” 38

Conclusion 58 Appendix 59 Climate-Related Plans Overview Stakeholder Interview Summaries Funding Sources How to Read a Bubble Chart

59 64 70 72

Introduction Multiple industries across the United States economy are transitioning from traditional, carbonintensive activities towards cleaner and more efficient practices. The green economy, which broadly consists of jobs in clean energy production, energy efficiency, and environmental management, has shown steady growth both nationally and in the Chicago region from 2011 to 2021.1 Green infrastructure is a sub-sector of the green economy that utilizes natural systems and sustainable materials to offer a more environmentally friendly and cost-effective alternative to traditional (or “grey”) infrastructure. Green infrastructure is defined as “a collection of natural lands, working landscapes, and appropriate constructed interventions that conserve ecosystem functions and provide benefits to human populations.”2 A major benefit of green infrastructure is the mitigation of effects of flooding caused by overburdened traditional stormwater systems. Green stormwater management can be done through both vegetated elements like rain gardens, bioswales, tree trenches, and stream buffers, as well as non-vegetated elements like rain barrels, blue roofs, and permeable pavement.3 Other elements of green infrastructure include green building practices, the creation of clean energy infrastructure, preservation and restoration of natural areas, and multi-modal transportation infrastructure. Benefits range from an increase in biodiversity, air quality, and energy efficiency to reduction in vehicle miles traveled and urban heat island effects.

Water management, ecological restoration, and green construction represent three sub-sectors in the green infrastructure community.

The Landscape of Green Infrastructure in Chicago

In this report, we broadly divide the green infrastructure into three sub-sectors:

WATER MANAGEMENT: Management of stormwater, wastewater, and drinking water. Examples: permeable pavement, bioswales, and green roofs

LANDSCAPING, GROUNDSKEEPING, FORESTRY, AND ECOLOGICAL RESTORATION: Efforts to preserve/recreate natural habitats and ecosystems. Examples: maintenance of forest preserves, native plantings on private and public land.

CONSTRUCTION: Building and engineering projects that strive for sustainability in both operational and embodied usage. Examples: residential retrofits, energy efficient heating and cooling systems, solar panel installations It is worth noting that there is crossover throughout these three sub-sectors, with construction and landscaping projects often providing water management benefits. While green infrastructure provides numerous environmental and public health benefits, it is critical that it also results in social and economic justice by increasing urban climate resilience and economic opportunities for marginalized communities. Historically disinvested areas tend to be especially vulnerable to flooding and other negative climate effects; as such, it is especially important that green infrastructure is implemented in these geographies. Further, occupations in green infrastructure offer well-paying employment, and as the industry grows, it is imperative that individuals from under-resourced communities are provided with opportunities and a fair chance to partake in these opportunities. Introduction

Green Infrastructure in Chicago: Towards a Climate-Resilient and Equitable Future The City of Chicago has a long and contentious history with urban flooding. The rate of urban flooding in Chicago is unprecedented for a city outside of hurricane-prone areas. Between 2004 and 2014, the city and its surrounding suburbs paid more than $1.8 billion in subsidized grants, loans, and insurance payments alone to cover flood losses.4 This is caused not only by climate-related weather events, but also by the altering of natural ecosystems for urban development. The Chicago area was originally marsh and wetlands, with natural elements that absorbed water and reduced flooding after heavy rains.5 Today, many Chicago neighborhoods are in low-lying areas and covered in impervious concrete, making them susceptible to flooding. Wastewater management has further fallen short as the city uses a combined sewer system that takes in flushed water and street runoff all within the same pipe. One or two inches of rainfall have overwhelmed this system resulting in sewage runoff flowing into people’s homes, posing not only property damage but also health risks. In 1972, the city embarked on a new solution towards urban flooding, the ‘Deep Tunnel’, a $4 billion project of underground tunnels and three reservoirs designed to fill with stormwater and sewage runoff. The project is scheduled to be completed in 2029, but many see it as an outdated approach that will arrive far too late to effectively respond to today’s increasing flooding events. Nonetheless, the city’s high rate of urban flooding is disproportionately affecting low-income communities of color. Local research has revealed a racial disparity in flooding cases. Between 2007 and 2016, communities of color accounted for 87 percent of flood insurance claims, with only 13 out of 67 zip codes accounting for 75 percent of all flood insurance claims in the city.6 These zip codes are mostly found on the city’s south and west sides, where over 750,000 people live. A quarter of these households are headed by a person of color and live below the poverty line. Chicago urgently requires a comprehensive strategy to redirect resources and investment to overburdened communities. Solutions must include investments in stormwater infrastructure. Green infrastructure will be critical in advancing equitable investments aimed at reducing urban flooding while also introducing much-needed biodiversity into communities.

The Landscape of Green Infrastructure in Chicago

Research Questions This report builds upon the UIC Voorhees Center’s existing work on the clean energy industry by exploring the green infrastructure industry and identifying opportunities and challenges in growing the industry in the Chicago region. The report will address the following questions: • What is the current landscape of the green infrastructure industry in Chicago? • What research is needed to help the industry grow? • How can we center this industry’s growth around equity and ensure marginalized communities benefit from it? To answer these questions, we used qualitative and quantitative approaches to evaluate the landscape of green infrastructure in Chicago, including literature reviews, analysis of data from the United States Department of Labor’s Bureau Labor Statistics (BLS), and Stakeholder Interviews. The next three sections dive into our findings. Section I: Green Infrastructure Up Close looks at what the green infrastructure industry in the Chicago region looks like today. This includes an examination or the current workforce, sub-sectors and stakeholders within this workforce, government support of green infrastructure, and analysis of current data that explores growth patterns of different occupational groups and occupations in green infrastructure. Section II: Challenges and Strategies uses findings from Section I to identify challenges faced within the green industry, including challenges with hiring practices, funding and job procurement, and maintenance and installation. It also includes strategies to address these challenges, including enhancement of hiring and training practices, promotion of equity in workforce development, and the continuation of research. Section III: Data Analysis looks at data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) to evaluate how sub-sectors and occupations in the green infrastructure industry have evolved since 2011 in Chicago and the U.S., assess growth trends into 2030, and explore career pathways.

Introduction

Section I: Green Infrastructure Up Close Current workforce Green infrastructure-based work is distributed across occupations within several interconnected industries, including architecture, forestry, construction, and transportation. A 2017 report by economic nonprofit Jobs for the Future (JFF) identified 30 “core” green infrastructure occupations across these industries.7 It found that traditionally, jobs related to green infrastructure only represented a small portion of each industry. Recently, however, many jobs within these industries have expanded to include tasks connected to green infrastructure, and a growing number are devoted completely to green infrastructure, indicating a growing and emerging economy. The management of green infrastructure is determined by the location of projects and installations. Green infrastructure on public land, for example, is usually managed by local government employees, whereas green infrastructure on private land is managed by property owners who hire private contractors or property management firms. Furthermore, in some communities, the maintenance and management of green infrastructure may fall to volunteers. In terms of wages, workers in this industry are generally paid less and are less likely to be female workers.8 The green infrastructure industry’s employer base includes both private businesses and municipal governments.

The Landscape of Green Infrastructure in Chicago

Sub-Sectors and Stakeholders The work of the green infrastructure industry can be broadly divided into three subsectors: landscaping, groundskeeping, forestry, and ecological restoration; and construction. Below we explore each sub-sector and how it relates to the Chicago region, and Table 1 maps out the stakeholders within each.

Water Management The United States Department of Agriculture defines water management as “the control and movement of water resources to minimize damage to life and property and to maximize efficient beneficial use.”9 Traditional water management systems consist largely of hard infrastructure such as storm drains and pipes, while green infrastructure for water

Stakeholder Deep Dive:

Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago

management encompasses a variety of practices that mimic natural hydrological processes

This special-purpose district treats wastewater and provides

to capture rain where it falls.

stormwater management for Chicago and 128 suburban

There are multiple features of

communities in Cook County. One of the region’s major employers in water management, it works to protect water resources and was responsible for the famous reversal of the Chicago River.

Chicago and its surrounding area that make its water management landscape unique. Its access to Lake Michigan provides a great resource in terms of drinking

water, which is managed by the Department of Water Management. Further, Chicago has a combined sewer system in which sanitary sewage and stormwater drain into the same pipe. As such, management for both are interrelated. The Chicago region is susceptible to flooding, making stormwater management ever more important.10

Section I: Green Infrastructure Up Close

Landscaping, Groundskeeping, Forestry, and Ecological Restoration This sub-sector covers maintenance and installation of natural areas on both public and private lands. While traditional landscaping practices feature ornamental and non-native species that do not contribute to green infrastructure, there has been a growing interest in landscaping with native species in manners that promote natural eco-systems. Modern restoration ecology dates back to the early 1900s, and embodies everything from conservation of large swaths of land to site-specific plantings On the public side, the Chicago

Stakeholder Deep Dive:

Chicago Park District’s Natural Areas Team Managing over 90 areas within the City of Chicago, this team leads native plantings and maintenance, in addition to community stewardship and nature events. Natural areas offer multiple benefits, including the protection of wildlife such as birds, stormwater management, and quality of life for nearby residents.

region has long been renowned for its parks and forest preserves, and initiatives have been taken recently to enhance or restore natural ecosystems through efforts such as native plantings. In this sector, “employers” may be the same as “clients” in the sense that they are the party receiving and/or procuring green infrastructure services. This is the case at park districts and forest preserves, though public clients will also contract private Environmental management personnel conduct a controlled burn. Source: Wikimedia

employersPrivate clients include property owners seeking green installations. The Landscape of Green Infrastructure in Chicago

Sustainably built home featuring solar panels by Kipnis Architechture + Planning.

Construction The environmental movement and high prices of gas during the 1970’s spurred modern philosophies in green construction, which emphasize efficiency in both operational energy usage (e.g., heating and cooling) and embodied energy usage (e.g., building materials and transportation) related to buildings. As sustainable construction practices gain traction, more activities and stakeholders within the industry will fall under green infrastructure. Examples include solar panel and rainwater garden installations, construction of LEED-Certified buildings, retrofitting of existing buildings, and replacing existing cement with permeable pavement.11 Table 1 explores employers, clients (i.e., parties receiving and/or procuring green infrastructure services), and employees under each of the three identified sub-

Stakeholder Deep Dive:

Passive House Institute US (PHIUS)

sectors, as well as parties that support

The largest Passive Building Certification

or influence employers, clients, and

provider in North America, PHIUS maintains

employees.

climate-specific building standards for passive homes, provides building certification, and trains and certifies professionals.

Section I: Green Infrastructure Up Close

Table 1: Green Infrastructure Stakeholders by Subsector Water Management Employers Municipal wastewater treatment plants, public works departments, sewer and plumbing contractors

Parties Influencing/ Supporting Employers

Clients

Government entities distributing grant programs, nonprofits, and

Local municipalities, industrial creators of wastewater

Parties Influencing/ Supporting Clients

Government programs, community groups,

Employees Plumbers, pipe layers, pipefitters and steamfitters, septic tank servicers and sewer pipe plant and system operators; hydrologists; civil engineers

Parties Influencing/Supporting Employees

Workforce development training programs, unions

Landscaping, Groundskeeping, Forestry, and Ecological Restoration Public: Park districts, forest preserves, departments of transportation (DOT), education and civic institutions Private: Landscaping/ forestry/ecology contractors and consultants, education and civic institutions

Government entities distributing grant programs, nonprofits, and philanthropies

Public: Park districts, forest preserves, departments of transportation (DOT), education and civic institutions Private: Homeowners associations, education and civic institutions, property owners

Landscape architects, Government landscaping and entities groundskeeping distributing supervisors and grant workers, arborists, programs, nursery and community greenhouse workers, based hydrologists, soil organizations, and plant scientists, landscaping civil engineers, land influencers managers, natural areas workers

Workforce development training programs, unions, education systems

Construction

Public: DOT, education and civic Government entities institutions Private: Contractors, distributing subcontractors, grant and consultant programs in construction, (e.g. Home Builders electrical work, plumbing, masonry, Association cement, paving, of Greater roofing solar panel Chicago) installation etc.

Public: DOT, education and civic institutions, municipalities.

Private: Homeowners associations, education and civic institutions, commercial property owners, residential property owners

Government entities distributing grant programs, realtor association

The Landscape of Green Infrastructure in Chicago

Cement masons and concrete finisher, construction managers and laborers, civil and environmental engineers, plumbers, machinists, weatherization technicians, general and operating managers, energy auditors, roofers

Workforce development training programs, unions

Employment Requirements While the goal of workforce development programs aimed at uplifting underserved populations is to lower entry barriers, green infrastructure occupations have a few entry-level requirements such as construction or communications skills. Although green infrastructure employers such as private contractors or municipal departments recruit workers who already have the knowledge, skills, and abilities required for success on traditional projects, these occupations frequently require low educational attainment. As a result, a significant portion of green infrastructure job preparation continues to revolve around the same skills and background required for entrylevel employment in general construction, landscaping, tree care, utility, and other related large industries. Jobs in green infrastructure may, however, require a higher level of expertise in equipment maintenance, repair, operation and control, quality control analysis, installation, and troubleshooting. Additionally, workers with strong communication, writing, mathematics, and other general employability skills are more competitive.

Section I: Green Infrastructure Up Close

Government Programs To understand how the government supports green infrastructure, we reviewed climate-related plans and available funding on the local, state, and federal levels. Plans we reviewed included the City of Chicago’s 2022 Climate Action Plan (CAP)12, Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP)’s ON TO 2050 Plan13, and the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Chicago 2021-2025 Plan14, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s Region 5 Climate Plan15, and the EPA’s Plan for FY 2022-2026.16 Funding sources run the gamut from the United States Department of Transportation to Chicago’s Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD). Find information on specific climate-related plans here and a comprehensive list of funding sources with links here From the goals, strategies, and actions featured in relevant plans, we identified five themes: 1. Promotion of Sustainable and Healthy Buildings was listed as a top strategy for reducing emissions. Actions include the retrofitting of existing buildings, energy efficiency and decarbonization, electrification, and/or the improvement of building construction standards. Air quality of homes, pollution, and exposure to radon was also a concern. 2. Water Management including stormwater management, drinking water management, and protection of waterways. 3. Solid Waste Management, which is identified as important for the promotion of circular economy as well as the safeguarding and revitalization of communities. This includes residential, industrial, commercial, institutional, organic, and other types of waste, as well as recycling programs. 4. Solar Panels and Renewable Energy, with goals centered around the installation of solar panels on both city and privately-owned roofs. 5. Enhancement of Infrastructure for Alternative Modes of Transportation, with a focus on enhancing infrastructure for modes of transportation including walking, biking, and public transportation. It also aims to electrify transit and fleets. 6. Greening Efforts and Natural Areas Management, including promotion of native species, expansion of parks and green spaces, and site-scale green infrastructure in hardscapes such as transportation right-of-way and non-parkland green spaces. The Landscape of Green Infrastructure in Chicago

“Table 2” shows which green infrastructure-related goals are supported by which plans. The goals shared by most of the plans were (i) promoting sustainable and healthy buildings and (ii) water management. The Chicago 2022 CAP and the EPA Strategic Plan featured goals around (iii.) solid waste management; these were two of the more specifically climate-focused plans. Other goals, (iv.) solar panels and renewable energy, (v) enhancement of infrastructure for alternative modes of transportation, and (vi) greening efforts and natural areas management, were more specifically represented in local plans.

Exploring a Plan:

Greening Efforts and Natural Areas Management featured in Chicago’s Climate Action Plan (CAP)

The Chicago CAP lists following goals related to greening efforts and natural areas management: • •

•

• •

Promote and/or require native species, habitat restoration, and sustainable landscaping materials Increase community greening efforts, expand neighborhood parks, and promote co-benefits of parks such as stormwater management Protect and steward high-priority natural areas through effective planning, identification of high-quality landscapes (“ecological cores”), and creation of ecological buffers around and connections between cores Reduce the rate of impervious surface creation through urban infill and densification Incorporate site-scale green infrastructure into hardscapes such as transportation right-of-way and non-parkland green spaces like subdivisions and golf courses

See appendix for more details.

Section I: Green Infrastructure Up Close

Table 2: Support of Green Infrastructure Goals in Government Plans Goal

City of Chicago CMAPs On To MWRD 20212022 2050 Plan 2025 Plan (CAP) Local

Promote Retrofit, electrify, Research and Sustainable and and enhance update design Healthy building standards Buildings standards

Water Management

Solid Waste Management

Implement green alley program

Protect and enhance of aquatic systems; reduce stormwater

Facilitate equitable stormwater management

Divert waste from landfills and incineration

EPA FY 20222026 Strategic Plan Regional National Enhance Reduce radon indoor air and air quality quality and risks energy efficiency

EPA Region 5 Climate Plan

Prepare water infrastructure for increase in temperature

Ensure safe drinking water; protect waterbodies and watershed Invest in waste infrastructure, clean up contaminated sites, update waste regulations

Solar Panels and Renewable Energy

Install clean renewable energy projects Support walking, Enhancement of biking, public Infrastructructre transportation; for Alternative electrification of Modes of public transport Transportation fleet

The Landscape of Green Infrastructure in Chicago

Section II: Challenges and Strategies With the emergence of green jobs comes a new set of challenges and strategies for guiding the efficient development of an industry centered on inclusivity. The industry faces challenges in hiring practices, funding and procurement, and installation and maintenance. The section that follows will address these issues as articulated in published literature and conversations with local stakeholders.

A. Challenges A.1. Challenges in Hiring Practices A.1.1. “Low-Road” Practices and Reputation The green infrastructure industry is still developing its niche workforce. Because work is closely related to traditional labor in sectors such as construction and landscaping, the industry is largely influenced by practices in and perceptions of these sectors. For example, people entering green infrastructure jobs may be concerned

Case Study:

that their employers will use “low-road practices,” such as offering low or no pay with limited benefits and job security. In a report reviewing existing workforce development programs, The

Delta Institute is a nonprofit organization that

Nature Conservancy (TNC) noted that

works with communities across the Midwest to

this is common in industries such as

solve local environmental challenges. Delta has

maintenance, where workers face high

engaged in a diverse profile of green infrastructure

rates of layoffs during slow or off-season

projects within the past several years, including

periods due to a lack of pathways and

a current project on identifying and removing

the seasonal nature of the work.

barriers to implementing green infrastructure across the Great Lakes region. During a stakeholder conversation with the Voorhees Center in December of 2021, they reported that many workers in the green infrastructure economy are facing the same challenges experienced within the larger gig economy, including lack of benefits and economic security. Nathalie P. Voorhees Center at UIC

Strategies to Address the Challenge: Unions As an Ally, Identifying the Role of Unions within the Green Infrastructure Industry, Expanding Career Pathways, Establishing Equitable Objectives, Identifying

Green

Infrastructure

Career Pathways and Stakeholders, Community-Led Research

Green infratructure is less available in Chicago’s winter months compared to other times of the year. Source: United Rent a Fence.

A.1.2. Seasonality By its very nature, green infrastructure work is dependent on weather. Available work is often sparse during the Chicago Region’s bitter winters, meaning many jobs are seasonal contracts running from early spring to late fall. While many seasonal

Case Study:

workers are invited back the following year, the seasonality of the work makes jobs less desirable to skilled individuals seeking full-time employment. Strategies to Address the Challenge: Unions As an Ally, Identifying the Role of Unions within the Green Infrastructure Industry

Cardinal State, LLC (Cardinal State) is a native landscaping company and Minority-Business Enterprise conducting work throughout the Chicagoland area. Cardinal State expressed a strong desire to keep their crews working for as much of the year as possible. But while they try to look for winter work, such as vacuuming up leaves and subcontracting with tree specialists, they report seasonal layoffs are often inevitable.

The Landscape of Green Infrastructure in Chicago

A.1.3. Mismatch Between Workforce Supply and Demand Our analysis of BLS data shows the number of skilled jobs in green infrastructure is growing. Workforce development organizations such as Opportunity, Advancement, Innovation in Workforce Development (OAI, INC) are working hard to provide the skills and training needed to fill these positions. During a stakeholder conversation, OAI reported that many workforce development organizations have trouble placing candidates; yet at the same time, employers have difficulties filling positions. Why this mismatch? We identified the following factors: Communicating Job Information: Stakeholder conversations with Cardinal LLC revealed a lack of clarity over which job boards to post on; relatedly, skilled workers may be unclear of where to access information on jobs. This is exacerbated by the fact that jobs are not always posted online and are instead distributed through social networks, making them difficult to find for those not already connected in the industry. Identifying Necessary Skillsets: Employers rarely hire for specific green infrastructure skills or competencies, preferring to hire for general construction, tree care, landscaping, or first-line supervisory roles. Further, many positions are reserved for workers with more experience in relevant industries. Bad Reputation: The “Low Road” Reputation and Practices explored above may be detracting skilled workers from many jobs. Strategies to Address the Challenge: Expanding Career Pathways, Expanding Certification Programs; Solidifying a Reliable Hiring Source, Case Studies, Identifying the Role of Unions within the Green Infrastructure Industry A.1.4. Difficulty Projecting Job Growth In its exploration of the green infrastructure workforce, Jobs for the Future found that precise projections of the growth of green infrastructure jobs are difficult to calculate due to the integration of these jobs within other industries.2 Accurate job growth estimates are further hampered by the distinct characteristics of job posting and hiring practices for green infrastructure-related work. Strategies to Address the Challenge: Case Studies, Identifying Green Infrastructure Career Pathways and Stakeholders, Community-Led Research

Section II: Challenges and Strategies

Case Study:

A.2. Challenges in Funding and Job Procurement A.2.1. Capacity within Small Organizations Transitioning the work of firms from related industries such as groundskeeping to greeinfrastructure

Latinos United for Community Housing

presents many roadblocks. For

Association, Chicago (LUCHA) is a housing

example, stakeholder interviews

counseling agency focused on advocating for

revealed

that

many

small

organizations directly involved in workforce development and skillstraining do not have the capacity or resources to get through the Request for Proposal (RFP) paperwork process required to launch projects. Additionally, organizations may not have the skills needed for submitting and completing administrative tasks, as many are occupied with hands-on fieldwork and their skills-training does not focus on administration. Most

affordable housing for underserved populations in the Chicago neighborhoods of Humboldt Park, Logan Square, and West Town. In 2018, LUCHA opened the sustainability focused Tierra Linda, a forty-five-unit affordable housing development adopting Passive House Institute US (PHIUS) design standards. During construction, LUCHA’s team had challenges convincing mechanical engineers to explore construction methods they were unfamiliar with. The engineering firm was hesitant to make changes to the design and systems planned for the PassiveHouse due to lack of data on economic efficacy of designs.

importantly, green infrastructure projects are expensive; specialized firms have the capacity and funding to carry these out, however, smaller organizations rely on grants and are financially limited. Strategies to Address the Challenge: Career Preparation and Training, One-Stop Funding Source, Tracking Economic Benefits of Green Infrastructure, Promoting Access to Green infrastructure Funding

The Landscape of Green Infrastructure in Chicago

A.2.2. Economic Obstacles Cost is a major constraint as municipalities consider green infrastructure implementations. While green infrastructure often presents cost-savings in the long-run, up-front costs are usually higher than retaining traditional grey infrastructure. The inability to quickly fund and implement large-scale green infrastructure limits the work that can be contracted, delaying the demand for workers in this industry. Further, our stakeholders expressed that many municipalities and parties may not understand the positive returns on investment provided by green infrastructure. Strategies to Address the Challenge: Expanding Career Pathways, Promoting Access to Green infrastructure Funding, One-Stop Funding Source, Tracking Economic Benefits of Green Infrastructure, Case Studies, Community-Led Research

A.3. Challenges in Installation and Maintenance A3.1. Lack of Maintenance Like traditional infrastructure, long-term success of green infrastructure is dependent on adequate and consistent maintenance. OAI conducted a needs assessment around stormwater management throughout the Calumet Region and found that inadequate maintenance of green infrastructure projects is common (OAI). Maintenance funding is typically supported by local funds and frequently relies on a community’s general fund; when funding is limited, maintenance budgets are reduced as a result. After contractors’ complete installation, maintaining the new green infrastructure often falls onto communities that do not have the skills, capacity, or staff to do so. Inadequate maintenance can result in installation removal as the costs of operating and repairing the infrastructure rise, as well as sites falling into disrepair. Strategies to Address Challenge: Career Preparation and Training, Expanding Career Pathways, Case Studies, Community-Led Research

Factors Contributing to Lack of Maintenance:

•

Lack of maintenance planning and training

•

Uncertainty over accountable parties

•

Limited budget and staff capacity

•

Insufficient tracking of installation

Section II: Challenges and Strategies

A.3.2. Municipal Cross-Training and Job Rotation Green infrastructure often becomes mixed into retooling services for basic stormwater structures. For many municipalities it is unclear who the vendors are, and which professionals are responsible for implementation and maintenance. Strategies to Address Challenge: Career Preparation and Training, Expanding Career Pathways, Case Studies, Community-Led Research

B. Strategies B.1. Strategies Around Hiring and Training Practices The hiring and training process is an important time for employers to instill a sense of belonging and satisfaction in their employees, which helps them succeed in their jobs. As a workforce grows and the industry becomes more well-known, it is critical that these practices are consistently established and implemented at different levels. This includes both adults transitioning into the industry and college aged students interested in related fields receiving education and career preparation. Making certification programs available is also critical so that workers can become officially certified and advance in their careers. Overall, accessibility is important for people to learn about the industry and obtain a job in an efficient manner. B.1.1 Career Preparation and Training Career preparation centered on green infrastructure skills provides workers with an advantage in related fields such as landscaping or tree care, providing transferable skills for other industries. Employers can expand their capacity to provide worker training through collaborations and partnerships with the education and training communities, as well as employer and industry associations. Further, youth career preparation can provide education, training, and opportunities for the workforce’s next generation. Challenges Addressed: Mismatch Between Workforce Supply and Demand, Capacity within Small Organizations, Lack of Maintenance, Municipal Cross-Training and Job Rotation

The Landscape of Green Infrastructure in Chicago

B.1.2 Expanding Career Pathways To help attract workers into the industry, key stakeholders can participate in the following activities to create connections and collaborations around current and future workforce opportunities in local labor markets: • Public workforce development systems can utilize existing cross-sector relationships to bring forth collaborative efforts between stakeholders across sectors such as education, training, business, government, and policy. • Local communities can take the lead in identifying a regional intermediary to bring together cross-sector stakeholders and foster dialogue about current and anticipated workforce challenges and opportunities by establishing forums for collaboration and alignments between workforce supply and demand. • Philanthropic stakeholders at the national and local levels can participate in grant making to provide individual communities with funding opportunities.

Case Study:

Challenges Addressed: Mismatch Between Workforce Supply and Demand, Lack of Maintenance, Municipal CrossTraining and Job Rotation

OAI’s High Bridge was launched as a social enterprise in 2018, then closed due to the constraints of seasonal work and budget. Maintaining a social enterprise proved to be difficult due to limited capacity in terms of staff and resources to keep it functioning over time. High Bridge has since then been incorporated as a program at OAI, INC. OAI has been able to expand their work by focusing on how to impact policy making overall. Their work now spans into Indiana including the township of Gary as it shares the same ecological region as the South region of Chicago. Section II: Challenges and Strategies

B.1.3 Expanding Certification Programs Certification programs are critical to the development and promotion of green infrastructure jobs. Few current green infrastructure workforce development programs meet standards for professional certifications, which require participants to pass exams. A national certification program would benefit both workers and employers by ensuring workers are highly skilled and trained while also providing jobs with livable wages and professional growth.2 A certification program would provide a clear sequence of education and training courses culminating in official credentials that workers could use to promote their skills while also aligning with the needs of a specific industry sector, thus providing diverse entry and exit options. Challenges Addressed: “Low-Road” Practices and Reputation, Mismatch Between Workforce Supply and Demand, Municipal Cross-Training and Job Rotation B.1.4 Solidifying a Reliable Hiring Source Job postings live on a variety of hiring websites, from the industry-specific Chicago Environmental Network site to LinkedIn. Stakeholders such as Cardinal State, LLC. expressed lack of certainty over where to share and search for job postings, signifying a need for a well-trusted, allencompassing site. Challenges Addressed: Mismatch Between Workforce Supply and Demand

B.2. Strategies Around Promoting Equity and Inclusion in Workforce Development Increasing industry accessibility is critical to ensuring an inclusive and equitable industry. This will include making information on the types of occupations, wages, and skills required widely available to people, whereas green infrastructure is presently only known by those familiar with the green economy. Unions will be an important resource to use in ensuring workers receive fair benefits and wages while navigating these contract-oriented occupations. Furthermore, funding for green infrastructure, particularly in environmentally distressed areas, will increase the demand for workers as well as opportunities to hire from these same prioritized communities. This will help to ensure the environmental and economic resilience of the most vulnerable communities.

The Landscape of Green Infrastructure in Chicago

B.2.1 Establishing Equitable Objectives The green infrastructure industry has an opportunity to define its workforce practices to build an inclusive labor force. When installed and maintained in urban areas, green infrastructure provides economic opportunity for marginalized communities that are severely under-resourced.8 To ensure that benefits reach the most vulnerable communities, local stakeholders must develop objectives and solutions that will result in urban climate resilience for communities. Stakeholders should understand demographic characteristics of the areas they are working in – including racial composition, age, educational attainment, and unemployment rates – to ensure programs can be tailored to meet the needs of the community while also delivering effective results for the residents. Challenges Addressed: “Low-Road” Practices and Reputation, Mismatch Between Workforce Supply and Demand B.2.2 Access to Information, Education, and Training Expanding information and access into the green infrastructure industry makes jobs more accessible to those interested in entry-level work. A solid understanding of the occupational profiles and pathways available in green infrastructure is important in identifying what is needed to uplift workers of color, women, recently released incarcerated individuals, or unemployed. Foundational relationships between community colleges, vocational school programs, and big anchor companies are necessary to identifying green infrastructure career paths. Partnerships with big utilities like ComEd and People’s Gas, among others, serve as an anchor for people trained in renewables. Providers of education and training can help to clarify the skills and credentials required for employment in green infrastructure-related work, as well as the training required for specific occupations. Underserved individuals must have clear options and steps on how to get started in the green infrastructure industry; they must know where to get information on occupations, as well as where and how to get necessary training, certifications, and credentials.2 Community colleges are an important resource for increasing industry awareness. Challenges Addressed: Mismatch Between Workforce Supply and Demand

Section II: Challenges and Strategies

B.2.3 Unions As an Ally

Case Study:

Across stakeholder conversations, unions were identified as an untapped ally in the industry. Unionizing green infrastructure jobs is especially important in ensuring fair labor practices because most of the work is contracted. Without union protection, contract jobs in sustainability-oriented work present setbacks similar to those

Coal fired power plants jobs are unionized under United Mine Workers of America (UMWA), which is working with the Biden administration on ensuring that displaced coal workers have opportunities to obtain

experienced in the larger national gig

jobs in renewable energy productions during

economy. Unions can be a valuable resource

the green economy transition.1

in ensuring that equity and inclusivity are prioritized in the green infrastructure industry. For example, many water and construction worker unions are instrumental in securing employment benefits and security for their members. Stakeholders within the green infrastructure industry must determine how green infrastructure skills and jobs can fit within existing unions, as well as how to establish mutual relationships or new union jobs for people entering the workforce.8 Challenges Addressed: “Low-Road” Practices and Reputation, Seasonality B.2.4 Promoting Green Infrastructure Investment Promoting green infrastructure investment beyond centralized regulation such as zoning could further expand programs and initiatives. The use of stormwater fees allows property owners or non-profits to pay in a non-centralized way. Philanthropic investments can also provide direct funding where needed. Better financial quantification of the positive impact of green infrastructure can help garner additional support of investments. Challenges Addressed: Economic Obstacles

The Landscape of Green Infrastructure in Chicago

B.2.5 One-Stop Funding Source Funding for green infrastructure is becoming more accessible as local and federal governments prioritizes climate resiliency, but it comes from a variety of sources ranging from the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) to the Illinois Green Infrastructure Grant (IGIG) program. Creating a trusted, one-stop source or point of contact for all grant programs would create efficiency in procuring funds. Challenges Addressed: Capacity within Small Organizations, Economic Obstacles

B.3. Strategies to Address Research Gaps and Research Needs These final strategies will be recommendations that will require additional research and effective coordination in the long run. This includes creating case studies of current examples of collaboration among various stakeholders on green infrastructure implementation in their communities. While such case studies exist, very few have demonstrated the economic benefits of green infrastructure. Long-term planning and research coordination may be required to track these benefits in real-time and thus showcase that investing in green infrastructure is economically beneficial to municipalities and businesses alike. Identifying stakeholders for collaboration will be critical, and so will understanding the role that various entities, such as new or existing unions, can play in further growing and supporting the industry. B.3.1 Case Studies Green infrastructure implementation differs by municipality; stakeholders will benefit by learning from others. Case studies can be a valuable resource to community practitioners, local governments, businesses and contractors, and others. Along with sharing findings, this will allow organizations to connect with other practitioners whose work overlap or identify municipal clients with whom they could collaborate. Challenges Addressed: All

Section II: Challenges and Strategies

B.3.2 Tracking Economic Benefits of Green Infrastructure Tracking the economic benefits associated with green infrastructure has been identified as a difficult research area to navigate. There is currently extensive scholarship addressing benefit estimates; however, these estimates are not guaranteed and are frequently insufficient to persuade municipalities to investigate green infrastructure for their communities due to perceived economic risks. This can include tracking the economic benefits of green infrastructure implementation in Chicago-area communities. Challenges Addressed: Capacity within Small Organizations, Economic Obstacles B.3.3 Promoting Access to Green infrastructure Funding Availability of funding is a challenge in green infrastructure, especially among smaller organizations that do not have the capacity to take advantage of grants and other financial resources. Research to document the various methods municipalities have used to secure green infrastructure funding and how other communities can pursue these avenues can be key to addressing this. Challenges Addressed: Capacity within Small Organizations, Economic Obstacles B.3.4 Identifying the Role of Unions within the Green Infrastructure Industry Working with unions is a key strategy that will be crucial in the green infrastructure industry. As the industry evolves, it is critical to document the industry’s need and value add in areas such as economic development, pandemic recovery, weatherization funding, and workforce development. Future research should involve noting who the unions are, what they typically look like, their practices, and how people of color’s experiences with unions can be improved. Challenges Addressed: “Low-Road” Practices and Reputation, Seasonality

The Landscape of Green Infrastructure in Chicago

3.5 Identifying Green Infrastructure Career Pathways and Stakeholders This report includes a critical component that analyzes who the stakeholders are in the green infrastructure industry. The next step in expanding on this can be to identify who individual stakeholders in the Chicago area are. By thoroughly documenting employers, vendors, employees, and others, it will be possible to identify industry gaps in the Chicago area. In addition, mapping career paths for industry workers can be a useful resource to share with local communities that have a high concentration of small businesses in the construction, landscaping, and groundskeeping fields. Challenges Addressed: “Low-Road” Practices and Reputation, Mismatch Between Workforce Supply and Demand, Difficulty Projecting Job Growth

3.6 Community-Led Research To ensure funds are channeled into communities disproportionately impacted by flooding, it is essential that entities providing funding understand the current representation of Illinois FEMA flood maps. To do so, they must collaborate directly with communities on localized maps as flood patterns and risks are susceptible to rapid changes. Involving residents in planning processes is an informative and effective way to identify challenges in a community’s built environment and secure solutions that will drive the best results.

Challenges Addressed: “Low-Road” Practices and Reputation, Mismatch Between Workforce Supply and Demand, Difficulty Projecting Job Growth, Economic Obstacles, Lack of Maintenance, Municipal Cross-Training and Job Rotation

Section II: Challenges and Strategies

Section III: Data Analysis Using the 30 core occupations identified by Jobs for the Future’s Exploring the Green Infrastructure Workforce report, we examine Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data on green infrastructure-related occupations in the Chicago region and the United States in terms of employment projections, pandemic recovery, and employment change.17 It is worth noting that even within these occupations the percentage of jobs involved in green infrastructure vary, with only 5% of construction laborers and 75% of tree care and open space workers involved in green infrastructure, respectively. Understanding these selected industry sectors and occupations will provide insight into how these jobs may or may not grow on a regional and national scale over the next decade. Local and state policy, workforce development, and strategic planning will all be required to ensure that the green infrastructure industry can contribute to the growth of an equitable and inclusive green economy.

The Landscape of Green Infrastructure in Chicago

Methodology Neither of the standard classification systems most frequently used (i.e., the North American Industry Classification System [NAICS] and the Standard Occupational Classification [SOC]) identifies groups of green or environmental industries or occupations. This makes identification of occupations related to specific sectors of the green economy, such as green infrastructure, difficult. The Jobs for the Future (JFF) research team used a multi-step process to identify the SOC codes that belonged to green infrastructure occupations, including reviewing existing research on green infrastructure jobs and collaborating with organizations such as the National Green Infrastructure Certification Program and Ecotrust.18 The team also reviewed occupational profiles on O*Net Online to ensure that duties, job titles, and descriptions corresponded to work identified as green infrastructure work by employers. This report incorporates the JFF team’s list of 30-core occupations as well as additional occupations identified by OAI, INC. in their stormwater training and maintenance needs assessment.19 This report uses OEWS BLS data from 2011 to 202120 and relies on two forms of statistical analysis: percent change and location quotient (LQ). Percent change is calculated by comparing employment numbers in 2021 to 2011by using the following formula:

New Value x 100 Percentage Change = Old Value

A location quotient is a ratio that allows the distribution of employment in one area to be compared to that of a reference area. In other words, it shows the concentration or strength of a particular industry in one location as compared to a larger location. For the purposes of this study, location quotient is used to compare the concentration of industries within the Chicago MSA to the United States. A location quotient that is greater than 1.0 reflects that a particular industry takes up a greater share of local employment than is the case nationwide. For example, the Wind Electric Power Generation industry in the Chicago MSA has a location quotient of .68, which means that compared to the United States as a whole, there is a lower concentration of jobs in this industry in the Chicago MSA. The formula to calculate location quotient is:

LQi =

ei e

( )/( ) Ei E

Section III: Data Analysis

x 100

Where:

ei= Local employment in industryi e = Total local employment Ei= National employment in industryi E= Total national employment

Overview of Data Analysis Sources Used Employment Projections with Pandemic Recovery (Industry) Through the 2020 National Employment Matrix21, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) provided employment estimates for 2020 and projections for 2030, with adjustments for pandemic recovery. The BLS includes employment for specific occupations, as well as wage and salary information. These figures are for a base year and a projection of ten years in the future. Baseyear employment is calculated using data from the Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program (OEWS), the Current Employment Statistics program (CES), the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW), and the Current Population Survey (CPS). BLS economists used both qualitative and quantitative sources, such as expert interviews and historical data, to forecast these changes in the future. The BLS defined pandemic recovery estimates as reversals of declines in employment levels that occurred between 2019 and 2020. Employment Projections (Occupations) The Illinois Department of Employment Security provided the projections for state and local statistical areas (IDES)22. Long-term occupation projections between 2020 and 2030 are included in state-wide projections. Long-term projections for local workforce areas (LWAs) between 2019 and 2028 are provided with Cook County designated as LWA 7. Employment, Wages, Education, Location Quotient (Industry and Occupations) The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) includes occupational employment and wage statistics for metropolitan and non-metropolitan area definitions used by the OEWS survey on their area definitions page. The estimates are based on information gathered from employers in all industry sectors in every metropolitan and nonmetropolitan area. The Chicago MSA is defined as Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, which includes parts of Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin. This report also examines national and state estimates. Summary of Skills and Activities (Occupations) The O*NET Program is a primary source of occupational information that assists in understanding the changing nature of industries and the impact these changes can have on their workforce in terms of the knowledge, skills, and education required to obtain these jobs. Occupations can be found using their SOC codes, and additional resources for potential employers or workers are available. Voorhees conducted workforce development analysis for various green economy occupations, and created a tool that generages one-page occupational profiles. The Landscape of Green Infrastructure in Chicago

Industry Overview The pandemic caused economic disruption on a local and national scale, with over 22 million jobs lost between February and April 2020 . Between 2020 and 2030, a 7.7% growth in employment 1

for all occupations is proected, with 6% attributed to pandemic recovery. Green infrastructure industry sectors are expected to lag the national rate, with a 6.35 percent increase in employment. Projected percent employment growth between 2020 and 2030 differs by occupational group. Management occupations have the highest percent change due to pandemic recovery, totaling 9.3 percent of total employment change due to pandemic recovery. Meanwhile, the life, physical, and social science occupations may only see a 1.1% increase in employment as a result of pandemic recovery. However, the industry expects 6.8% of its employment change to exclude pandemic recovery, implying that a larger share of its growth may occur without much disruption from the pandemic’s impact. Production occupations are the only industry sector expected to experience a negative percent employment change at -0.4%, losing over 39,000 jobs between 2020 and 2030. Figure 1. Projected Percent Change by Major Occupational Groups, 2020-2030

Section III: Data Analysis

Figure 2 highlights information on 27 of the 30 core green infrastructure occupation groups by showcasing each occupation’s concentration (i.e., its location quotient), growth between 2011 and 2021, and total number of jobs in each occupation (for more information, see ”How to Read a Bubble Chart”)

Figure 2. Concentration and Growth of Green Infrastructure Occupations Groups in Chicago MSA, 2011-2021 (Bubble Graph)

More than half of these occupations are strong and advancing, though there is a mix of employment concentrations and location quotients combinations. For example, employment for Forest and Line Conservation Technicians increased by 330% between 2011 and 2021, but its location quotient remains low at 0.37. Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, on the other hand, have the highest location quotient of any occupation at 1.86, indicating that the occupation has higher-than-average per capita employment. Transportation and Materials Moving has the highest concentration of jobs and is thus one of the strongest industries in the Chicago MSA region. There are a few occupations that are weak and have been declining for the past decade, outlined in the callout box to the right. It is critical for workforce development

Weak and Declining Occupations Environmental Engineering Technicians Tree Trimmers and Pruners Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners

organizations, policymakers,

Construction Laborers

businesses, and employers to

First Line Supervisors of Farming/Fishing/Forestry

address these job losses and

Workers

The Landscape of Green Infrastructure in Chicago

understand why they are occurring. Note that 27 out of 30 core green infrastructure occupations are represented here; three were not included due to unreported employment data. Unreported employment data resulted in the exclusion of certain occupations.

Figure 3. Concentration and Growth of Green Infrastructure Occupations in Chicago MSA, 2011-2021

Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers Construction and Building Inspectors Construction Laborers Construction Managers Control and Valve Installers, Except Mechanical Door Environmental Engineering Technicians Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse First-Line Supervisors of Constructuing Trades and Extraction Workers First-Line Supervisors of Landscaping, Lawn Services, and Groundskeeping Workers Forest and Conservation Technicians

Section III: Data Analysis

Helpers - Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand Landscaping Groundskeeping workers Machinist Maintenance and Repair Workers, General Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators Pesticide Handlers, Sprayers, and Applicators, Vegetation Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters Roofers Septic Tank Servicers and Sewere Pipe Cleanears

Key Findings Key Finding 1: Strong and Advancing Occupational Groups and Occupations As of 2021, the Transportation and Materials Figure 4. Green Infrastructure-Related OcMoving occupational group is the strongest cupations with Highest Concentration in Chicago MSA, 2021 occupational group in the Chicago MSA that shares green infrastructure-related work. The sector includes two occupations with some green infrastructure work: Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators and Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers (Hand). Between 2011 and 2021, jobs for Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators grew by 45.6% and had a location quotient of 1.04. Between 2011 and 2021, jobs for Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers (Hand) grew by 98.06% and had a location quotient of 1.86.

Key Finding 2: Declining Industry In the Chicago MSA, a number of industry sectors have undergone considerable declines over the last decade. While some of these sectors may not have had a high concentration of jobs in 2011, job loss is still a significant change, particularly when looking at occupations that lost a significant share of their jobs rather than

Figure 5. Green Infrastructure-Related Occupations with Highest Declines in Chicago MSA, 2011-2021 Tree Trimmers and Pruners lost the most jobs, growing them.

with employment declining by 66.6% between 2011 and 2021. The occupation had a location quotient of 0.24 and only 300 jobs by 2021. Construction Laborers were another occupation that underwent significant change. Over 7,910 jobs were lost between 2011 and 2021, The Landscape of Green Infrastructure in Chicago

accounting for 27% of 2011 employment. With an estimated 20,550 jobs by 2021, this occupation had one of the highest concentrations. Notably, the occupation has a location quotient of 0.71; while it is not an exporter industry, it still employs a large number of people, and losing these jobs without proper replacement or transitioning may have many implications for the local economy as a whole.

Key Finding 3: Employment Projections, Local Growth vs. National Growth According to employment projections for 2030, employment in all green infrastructure occupations is expected to vary. Some occupations in Chicago are expected to grow at a slower rate than those in Illinois and the rest of the country. A few occupations are expected to grow faster than the state of Illinois as a whole. However, when compared to Illinois and national rates, the Chicago region has a higher share of occupations that are expected to see significant job decline.

Figure 6. Larger Growth Rates for Chicago MSA, 2020- 2030 Projections Chicago

3.6 First-Line Supervisors of Landscaping, Law Service, and Groundskeeping Workers

Illinois

4.2 Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators

2.1 Pipelayers

2.3 -5.9 -1.9

The following occupations have negative growth rates and job loss in the Chicago region than in Illinois:

Figure 7. Larger Growth Rates for Chicago MSA, 2020- 2030 Projections Chicago

-16.9 -8.1 -5.1 Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators

Illinois

Water/Wastewater Treat Plant/System Operators

Farmworkers/ Laborers / Crop/ Nursery / Greenhouse

17.6 0.9 2.6

Section III: Data Analysis

Occupation Groups: “Deep Dives” Deep Dive: Management Occupations Figure 8. Concentration & Growth of Management Occupations, Chicago MSA, 2011-2021

Professional and business service occupations involved in the management of companies and enterprises are covered by the major occupational group 11-0000 (management occupations). Responsibilities in this occupation include strategic or organizational planning and decision making for a company or enterprise. Only one occupation related to green infrastructure is included in this group: construction managers. With a growth rate of 220% and a location quotient of 1.31, the occupation has a strong concentration in the Chicago MSA region.

As shown in Figure 4, over the last decade, this occupational group has grown steadily. The Chicago MSA’s employment growth rate has outpaced both the state and national rates. Notably, there was a high (73%) increase in employment from 2011 levels in 2018, a rapid increase from the steady 40% levels that both Illinois and Chicago had in 2017. While employment change saw a small reduction at the state and national levels in 2020, the industry appears to be steadily growing in all three regions as of 2021. Figure 9. Employment Change in Management Occupations, All Geographies, 20112021

Chicago MSA IL USA

The Landscape of Green Infrastructure in Chicago

Employment growth in the Chicago MSA and Illinois has outpaced national rates for construction management occupations. All three geographies had steady growth through 2019. However, the national growth rate has increased by only 50% since 2011, while the Chicago region has seen a 221% increase and Illinois has seen a 157% increase in the same time period.

Figure 10. Employment Change by Occupation, All Geographgraphies 2011-2021 Construction Managers

Figure 11. Projected Employment by Occupation, 2020-2030, All Geographies The

projected

change

Construction Managers

employment in this sector by 2030 varies across all three geographies. While Illinois is expected to grow by 13.5% in construction managers, exceeding the state’s 11.5% growth, this far outweighs the Chicago MSA’s slow 1.2% growth.

Chicago MSA IL USA

Section III: Data Analysis

Deep Dive: Architecture and Engineering Occupations Figure 12. Concentration & Growth ofThe major occupational group 17-0000 (Architecture Architecture & Engineering and Engineering) involves professional, scientific, and Occupations, Chicago MSA, 2021 technical services related to architecture, engineering, and related fields. Environmental Engineering Technicians are the only occupations included in the green infrastructure industry. Between 2011 and 2021, this occupation lost 150% of jobs. It has a location quotient of 0.55 and is thus regarded as weak and declining. Overall, the industry has experienced consistent growth across all three geographies. In 2018, theChicago’s percentage growth from 2011 reached nearly 35%, outpacing both state and national rates. After 2019, all regions experienced declining growth rates, and by 2021, the state level had experienced the greatest decline in the last decade, a -10% regression. Figure 13. Employment Change in Architecture and Engineering Occupations, All Regions, 2011-2021 Occupations

Chicago MSA IL USA

The Landscape of Green Infrastructure in Chicago

The Chicago MSA’s occupational growth rate exceeds both the national and state averages. However, the industry sector exhibits volatile trends, with unexpectedly rapid declines across all regional scales between 2015 and 2016. By 2021, all three regions are still showing a downward trend, with Chicago losing -38% and Illinois losing -52% of their jobs between 2011 and the USA losing -23%. This indicates employment in these occupations are declining across all regions. Figure 14. Employment Change by Occupation, All Geographies, 2011-2021 Environmental Engineering Technicians

Figure 15. Projected Employment for Architec- While the projected growth by 2030 varies ture and Engineering by Occupation, 2020-2030 per region, Chicago is the only level in which there is an expected decline of -1.3% of jobs within the occupations related to green infrastructure for this industry. Illinois, on the other hand, is expected to see a 4.1% increase, trailing the national rate of 7.8%.

Chicago MSA IL USA

Section III: Data Analysis

Deep Dive: Life, Physical, and Social Science The major occupational group 19-0000 (Life, Physical, and Social Sciences) includes a Figure 16. Concentration & Growth of variety of occupations including biological scientists, Life/Physical/Social Science clinical psychologists, economists, and social science Occupations, Chicago MSA, 2021 researchers. Within the green infrastructure industry, only one occupation within this group was identified: forest and conservation technicians. Common activities associated with this occupation include providing technical assistance in the conservation of soil, water, forest, or natural resources; analyzing data; and training other workers in relevant fieldwork. This is another industry with only one occupation that is considered to share green infrastructurerelated work and includes Forest and Conservation Technicians. With a growth rate of 371%, this occupation had one of the highest growth rates of the 30 core occupations. It also has the second lowest location quotient on the core list, at 0.37. Overall, the industry grew steadily between 2011 and 2020. The Chicago MSA growth rate increased by more than 51% from 2011 to 2018 and remained stable by 2021. While the state is has undergone a smaller percent change since 2011, it steadily increased by 27% by 2021. The national rate is slightly slowing to a growth of only 18% by 2021. Figure 17. Employment Change in Life, Physical, Social Science Occupations, All Geographies, 2011-2021

Chicago MSA IL USA

The Landscape of Green Infrastructure in Chicago

For forest and conservation technicians, the single occupation in this occupational group considered to be part of green infrastructure work, the growth rates for the Chicago MSA and Illinois have far outpaced national rates over the last decade. By 2021, Chicago’s employment had increased by 371%, more than doubling Illinois’ rate of around 167%. Figure 18. Employment Change by Occupation, All Geographies, 2011-2021 Forest and Conservation Technicians

By 2030, the number of jobs in this occupational group in the Chicago MSA is projected to be 3.9%

Figure 19. Projected Employment by Occupation, 2020-2030, All

lower than in 2021. This decline could be due to the steep increase in jobs in this occupational group taking place in the late 2010’s. Conversely growth in number of jobs in this group is expected on a state and national level during this time period with Illinois’ projected growth rate at 7.6% and the national growth rate at an estimated 12.6%. Section III: Data Analysis

Chicago MSA IL USA

Deep Dive: Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations The major occupational group 37-0000 (Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance) includes four occupations that perform green infrastructure work: such as landscaping and groundskeeping workers, pesticide handlers, tree trimmers and pruners, and first-line supervisors for the aforementioned occupations. These jobs entail maintaining property grounds with hand or power tools, such as mowing, trimming, digging, and irrigation installation. This industry is made up of four occupations Figure 20. Concentration & Growth of Building and that all do green infrastructure work. FirstGrounds Cleaning and Line Supervisors of Landscaping/Lawn Maintenance Occupations, Chicago MSA, 2021

Service/Groundskeeping Workers saw an increase of 106% employment from 2011 to 2021; with a location quotient of 1.13 the occupation is strong and advancing. Tree trimmers and pruners, on the other hand, experienced a negative growth of -66% from 2011 to 2012; with a location of 0.24 it is weak and declining.

First-Line Supervisors of Landscaping, Lawn Services, and Groundskeeping Workers Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers Pesticide Handlers, Sprayers, and Applicators, Vegetation Tree Trimmers and Pruners

In terms of employment change over the last decade, this occupational group has lagged other groups in the green infrastructure

industry. While the national Figure 21. Employment Change in Building and Grounds change in employment levels Cleaning and Maintentance Occupations, All was slow, job losses did not Geographies, 2011-2021 occur until 2019, when the COVID-19 pandemic began to impact the country’s economy. However, at the local level, the Chicago MSA experienced a 10% drop in employment in 2015. By 2018, employment change had accelerated to 8% growth from 2011, outpacing Chicago MSA

USA

The Landscape of Green Infrastructure in Chicago

both Illinois and national growth rates by 2021.

On a national scale, individual occupations within this group closely parallel each other’s growth rates, with small increases and declines that remain within a 0-10% employment change from 2011. Local and state growth rates have been more volatile: from 2011 to 2020, for example, tree trimmers and pruners saw an employment decline of nearly -80%, while at the national level the number of jobs in this occupation grew by around 35% from 2011. First-line supervisors of landscaping, lawn service, and groundskeeping workers are the occupation with the highest growth in Chicago by 2021. The remaining occupations in the Chicago MSA continue to grow, indicating stable employment levels by 2021. Figure 21. Employment Change by Occupation, 2011-2021

First-Line Supervisors of Landscaping, Lawn Services, and Groundskeeping Workers Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers Pesticide Handlers, Sprayers, and Applicators Tree Trimmers and Pruners

Section III: Data Analysis

All geographies are expected to see positive growth in each occupation within this group by 2030. While the Chicago MSA growth rate is not expected to exceed state or national levels, it is still encouraging because it indicates slower but overall stable growth. With a growth rate of 7.9%, Illinois outperforms the national projected rate for tree trimmers and pruners. Figure 22. Projected Employment by Occupation, 2020-2030, All Geographies

1st-Line Spryers/Mgrs/Lnscp/ Landscaping & Lawn Service Groundskeeping Workers

Chicago MSA

Pesticide Handlers, Sprayers & Applicators

The Landscape of Green Infrastructure in Chicago

Tree Trimmers & Pruners

USA

Deep Dive: Fishing, Farming, and Forestry Occupations Occupational group 45-0000 (Fishing, Farming, and Forestry) consists of farmworkers, laborers, and forest and conservation workers, which includes three “green infrastructure” occupations: crop, nursery and greenhouse farmworkers and laborers, forest and conservation workers, and first-line supervisors of people of people conducting such works. These jobs entail caring for forests, woodlands, and other rangelands by battling pests and diseases and constructing structures to control water or erosion. Planting and harvesting crops, tilling land, packing products, and constructing necessary trellises, fences, and farm buildings are all additional activities. Figure 23. Concentration & Growth of Fishing, Farming, and Forestry Occupations, The two occupations within the Fishing/Farming/ Forestry sector are split between weak and Chicago MSA, 2021 advancing and strong and declining. First Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing and Forestry Workers lost over -16% of jobs from 2011 and has one of the lowest location quotients of the overall list with a rate of 0.13. Farmworkers and Laborers had a growth of 194% from 2011 First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing and Forestry Workers Farmworkers and Laborers

employment levels but only has a location quotient of 0.18 and is therefore as weak and advancing.

Figure 24. Employment Change, Fishing, Farming, and From 2011 to 2021, the Chicago Forestry Occupations, All Geographies 2011-2021 MSA’s growth rate in number of jobs outpaced the state and national averages. Although Chicago MSA’s growth rates saw a steady decline by 2016 followed by another steep decline, the area’s growth rate remained positive overall and exceeded state and national trends. By 2021, the employment growth for Chicago MSA far outpaced the state and Chicago MSA

USA

national rates, with a growth of 71%.

Section III: Data Analysis

Looking at individual occupations within this group in the Chicago MSA, only crop, nursery and greenhouse farmworkers and laborers experienced significant growth rates in employment from 2011 to 2021. In 2021, the Chicago MSA’s employment percent change since 2011 in this occupation was 194%, far exceeding state and national rates. While this does not imply there are more farmworker jobs in the Chicago MSA region than other parts of the country, it does indicate that crop, nursery, and greenhouse work is becoming more available in the city. Figure 25. Employment Change by Occupation, All Geographies, 2011-2021 Farmworkers and Laborers, Crops, Nursery and Greenhouse First-Line Supervisors of Fishing, Farming, and Forestry Workers Forest Conservation Workers

Significant growth in in farming,

Figure 26: Projected Employment by Occupation by 2030, All Geographies

fishing and forestry is not expected, with job loss or stagnation occurring in all green infrastructure occupations in the Chicago MSA. Forest and conservation workers are project to decrease across geographies. The Chicago MSA will also lose farmworkers and laborers jobs , while Illinois and national rates continue to rise.

Chicago MSA

The Landscape of Green Infrastructure in Chicago

USA

Deep Dive: Construction and Extraction Occupations The major occupational group 47-0000 (Construction and Extraction) includes a range of specialty trade contractors and construction workers. Within the 30-core green infrastructure occupation list identified by Jobs for the Future, this group contains the largest number of occupations. Paving/Surfacing/Tamping Equipment Operators is a

Figure 27. Concentration & Growth of Construction and Extraction Occupations, Chicago MSA, 2021

strong and growing industry in the Chicago MSA region, with a growth rate of 174.6% by 2021 and a high location quotient of 1.55. Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners, however, had the lowest LQ experienced the greatest decline in this group, with a negative growth of -38%. Construction Laborers saw a -27% decline in jobs, but still have a high concentration of 20,550

Cement Masons and Concreet Finishers Construction and Building Inspectors Construction Laborers Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas First Line Supervisors of Construction Trades Helpers -- Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters Helpers -- Roofers

jobs in 2021.There are also a handful of coccupations that are weak but advancing. While

this

Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operatores Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators Pipelayers Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters Roofers Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners

Figure 28. Employment Change, Construction and Extraction Occupations, All Geographies, 2011-2021

occupational

group as a whole has grown steadily and consistently on a national scale, local and state employment change has been regressive over the last decade, with the state losing 12% of employment and Chicago losing 18%. In 2017, employment in Chicago increased by 17% compared to 2011 employment levels. However, by 2021, growth begins to slow and reaches a low of 5%, while the national rate appears to stabilize around 18%. By 2021, employment across all three regions continues to trend downwards. Section III: Data Analysis

On a national level, about half of construction and extraction occupations related to green infrastructure have experienced steady growth in employment levels between 2011 and 2021 while the other half underwent a steady decline. Roofers (helpers) are the occupation with the greatest employment decline by 2021. These patterns were not necessarily reflected on the local and state level. In the Chicago MSA, Pipelayers/plumbers/pipefitters/steamfitters (helpers) saw the greatest decline in employment between 2011 and 2021, reaching -86% in 2016. . Paving/ surfacing/tamping equipment operators are the leading occupation for Chicago MSA with a growth of 175% from 2011 to 2021. Figure 3. Employment Change by Occupation, All Geographies, 2011-2021

Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers Construction and Building Inspectors Construction Laborers Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas First Line Supervisors of Construction Trades Helpers -- Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters Helpers -- Roofers

Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators Pipelayers Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters Roofers Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners

The Landscape of Green Infrastructure in Chicago

While Chicago MSA employment projections do not exceed state or national rates, Illinois is expected to outpace national growth rates for several occupations. This demonstrates that the state has a strong hold on this industry and provides an opportunity to expand these jobs locally while also expanding work specifically for green infrastructure. Figure 4. Projected Employment by Occupation, 2020-2030, All regions

Chicago MSA

Section III: Data Analysis

USA

Deep Dive: Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations Three occupations in this major occupational group are involved in green infrastructure work. These jobs require a range of skills, including regulating and controlling electric and gas-powered devices, meters, and valves; pipe fitting; HVAC maintenance; insulating; welding; and carpentry. Figure 29. Concentration & Growth of With three occupations in this group, this occupation Installation, Maintenance, and Repair group has relatively low location quotients and varying Occupations, Chicago MSA, 2021 levels of growth. Helpers for Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers are weak and declining, with a -49% job loss from 2011 and a location quotient of 0.42. General maintenance and repair workers grew 55% by 2021 and have a location quotient of 1.07, indicating that the share of these occupations in the Chicago MSA region is higher than the state average. Control and Valve Installation and Repairers Helpers -- Installation, Maintenance, and Repair General Maintenance and Repair Worker

Nonetheless, Maintenance and Repair workers have one of the highest concentrations of jobs, with 45,690 jobs in 2021.

The industry employment level has expanded steadily on all three geographies. When compared to 2011, employment increased by 45% in 2018, far outpacing national and state rates. However, by 2021, employment growth in the Chicago MSA has slowed, even though employment has changed at a faster rate than at the state and national levels. Figure 30. Employment Change in Installation, Maintenance and Repair Occupations, All Geographies, All Regions, 2011-2021

Chicago MSA IL USA

The Landscape of Green Infrastructure in Chicago

The occupation with the greatest employment change across all geographies is control and valve installers and repairers. Employment growth has been exceptional in the Chicago MSA, where employment increased by more than 72% from 2011 to 2021. By 2021, all occupations in this industry sector had been impacted by collective declines in growth rates, with installation, maintenance, and repair workers (helpers) losing the most jobs since 2011. This raises the question of whether the pandemic’s effects, including unemployment, has forced contractors to prioritize senior staff or reduce hiring of helpers while work is still scarce. Figure 31. Employment Change by Occupation, All Geographies, 2011-2021

Control and Valve Installation and Repairers Helpers -- Installation, Maintenance, and Repair General Maintenance and Repair Workers

Figure 32. Projected Employment by Occupation, 2020-2030, All Geographies Projections for 2030 display Chicago MSA growth rates are not expected to exceed national or state levels and in fact see a decline in employment from 2021 for control and valve installers and maintenance helpers. However, Illinois once again outperforms national projections in certain occupations, such as maintenance workers and helpers. Section III: Data Analysis

Chicago MSA

USA

Deep Dive: Production Occupations Green infrastructure work is represented by three occupations in the major occupational group 51-0000 (Production). These jobs require a wide range of abilities, such as fabricating, modifying, and repairing machine tools and industrial machines. These jobs also require the use of control boards to operate large process systems and machines. Figure 33. Concentration & Growth of Production Occupations, Chicago MSA, Three occupations in this sector share green 2021 infrastructure work. While machinists have the highest concentration of jobs in this sector, it has a -2% growth rate by 2021 and is classified as strong but declining. This is significant because this occupation has a location quotient of 1.4, indicating that it is an exporter for the Chicago MSA region, and losing a large industry without proper replacement or job transitioning may have a greater impact on the local economy and employment. Machinists Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Welders, Cutterers, Solderers, and Brazers

State and national employment growth has been slow but steady since 2011, until the pandemic

began in 2019. The Chicago MSA’s employment change decreased by 4% from 2011 to 2015, but increased by more than 26% in 2017. The pandemic negatively affected employment in all three geographies, though the Chicago MSA maintained the highest growth rate. Figure 34. Employment Change in Production Occupations, All Geographies, 2011-2021

Chicago MSA IL USA

The Landscape of Green Infrastructure in Chicago

Nationally, occupations in this industry have been steadily growing, with the exception of machinists, who saw a decrease in employment in 2019 that continued through 2021. For the Chicago MSA and Illinois, employment change has been erratic, with periods of rapid growth followed by short and sharp declines. By 2021,machinist occupations in Illinois declined by -20%, while the Chicago MSA rate dropped by -3% after employment had reached a high growth of 70% in 2018. Notably, the other two occupations are steadily increasing in both the Chicago MSA and Illinois, and employment for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators has increased by 90% in Chicago by 2021. Figure 35. Employment Change by Occupation, All Geographies, 2011-2021

Machinists Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Welders, Cutterers, Solderers, and Brazers

Projected employment for these occupations includes steady growth,

Figure 36. Projected Employment by Occupation, 2020-2030, All Geographies

indicating that employment may remain stable even in the absence of sudden increases in new jobs. However, the Chicago MSA is expected to lose 8.1% of its water/waste treat plant/system operators jobs between now and 2030. Chicago MSA

Section III: Data Analysis

USA

Deep Dive: Transportation and Materials Moving Occupations Green infrastructure work is represented by three occupations in the major occupational group 53-0000. These occupations center around the manual movement of freight, stock, general labor, and the operation of industrial trucks or tractors to move material between sites and locations Figure 37. Concentration & Growth of Occupations in this industry have high concentrations Transporation and Materials Moving Oc- of jobs and the highest location quotient, with only cupations, Chicago MSA, 2021 two occupations identified to share GI-IMI work. Laborers and Freight/Stock/Material Movers have grown 98% to 152,330 jobs by 2021. It is a strong and advancing exporter for the Chicago MSA region, with a location quotient of 1.86. Across all three geographies, employment in this occupational group increased steadily until a surge from 2017 to 2019. The Chicago MSA outperformed both Freight/Stock/Material Movers the state and national averages, growing by nearly Industrial Truck and Tractor Operator 70% from 2011 to 2021. During this same period, national and state employment growth for this group ranged from 40 to 45%. By 2021, employment growth had slowed but remained stable in all three regions.

Figure 38. Employment Change in Transportation and Materials Moving, All Geographies, 2011-2021

Chicago MSA IL USA

The Landscape of Green Infrastructure in Chicago

While data for the Chicago MSA and Illinois for pump operators was not reported in 2016, this occupation’s employment level declined in all regions over the last decade. By 2021, Illinois had lost 62% of its 2011 employment level; the Chicago MSA had lost 33% in 2020; and the national loss had remained consistent at around 13% in 2021. The remaining two occupations have seen both sudden declines and job growth in both the State an MSA levels, but by 2021 they were steadily growing in line with national levels. Figure 39. Employment Change by Occupation, All Geopgraphies, 2011-2021 Industrial Truck and Tractor Operator Freight/Stock/Material Movers Pump Operators, Except Welhead Pumpers

The Chicago MSA is expected to lose nearly 16.9% of industrial truck and tractor operator jobs by 2030, while Illinois is expected to

Figure 40. Projected Employment by Occupation, 2020-2030, All Geographies

gain 17% of jobs in the same occupation, far exceeding national levels. While job growth is welcome, Illinois must prioritize its transition to sustainable and energyefficient transportation modes, as stated in recently published plans. Furthermore, job losses should be offset by increases in green jobs to ensure worker stability. Section III: Data Analysis

Chicago MSA

USA

Conclusion The green infrastructure industry is growing in Chicago, with stakeholders including government organizations, workforce development groups, and employers actively participating in its evolution. Notably, tfhe Transportation and Materials Moving sector has the highest concentration of jobs, followed by Installation/Maintenance/Repair and Building/Grounds Cleaning/Maintenance. This report lays out the landscape of green infrastructure through an examination of the green infrastructure industry’s current workforce, sub-sectors and stakeholders within this workforce, and government support of green infrastructure (Section I: Green Infrastructure Up Close). It finds a diverse and growing industry with distinct differences and similarities to related industries such as landscaping. Based on our examination of this landscape, Section II: Challenges and Strategies of this report identifies challenges faced within the green industry, including challenges with hiring practices, funding and job procurement, and maintenance and installation. It also includes strategies to address these challenges, including enhancement of hiring and training practices, promotion of equity in workforce development, and the continuation of research. Section III: Data Analysis examines data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) on sub-sectors and occupations related to the green infrastructure industry and discovers that the region contains several occupations that have grown their employment steadily or rapidly, while others are declining and projected to lose jobs by 2030. Understanding these changes is critical for properly planning for job transitions and the threat of unemployment in these occupations. To help the region move forward with these strategies, the Voorhees Center will disseminate this report, engage in additional research based on the gaps found in this report, and offer technical assistance. Technical assistance could include working with job platform providers and employers to ensure websites and job postings reach and resonate with target appropriate audiences; and providing resources on grant information to small businesses.

The Landscape of Green Infrastructure in Chicago

Appendix Climate-Related Plans Overview City of Chicago 2022 Climate Action Plan (CAP) The 2022 Climate Action Plan (CAP) builds off the climate action planning that the city first began in 2008. Its ambitious goals are centered around five pillars: (1) increase household savings, (2) reduce waste and create jobs, (3) enable personal mobility and improve air quality, (4) enable Chicago’s clean energy future, and (5) strengthen communities and protect health. Under each pillar are specific strategies and actions, many of which involve green infrastructure either directly or indirectly. 2022 CAP Plan Green Infrastructure Goals and Actions Promote Sustainable and Healthy Buildings:

• Retrofit 20% of residential, industrial, and commercial buildings by 2030 • Retrofit 90% of total City-owned and Sister Agency-owned buildings by 2035 • Electrify existing residential (30%), City-owned (90%), industrial (20%), and commercial buildings (10%) by 2035 • Enact policies to ensures new construction meets sustainability related requirements Water Management

• Commit $5 million in investments towards green alleys implementation and development of green infrastructure/flood mitigation projects.

Solid Waste Management • Divert 90% of commercial, industrial, and residential waste and 75% of construction and demolition waste from landfills and incineration by 2030.

Conclusion

Enhance Infrastructure for Alternative Modes of Transportation

• Enable Chicagoans to walk, bike, take public trans or use shared micromobility for 45% of all trips by 2040 through expansion of bikeways, updated land use policies with focus on street safety and accessibility near public transit, and investment in CTA to increase reliability and frequency of services • Electrification of delivery and CTA bus fleets, and incentivization for electrification of ride hail and taxi fleets . Solar Panel and Renewable Energy Installation

• Install 30 MW clean renewable energy projects on Chicago property and 5,000 MW of projects within a 250-mile radius by 2030; this includes 5MW of community-owned solar projects on industrial roofs, as well as municipal solar power on library roofs Greening Efforts and Natural Areas Management

• Dedicate $46M to planting 75,000 trees over 5 years in underserved communities

CMAP – ON TO 2050: Environmental Chapter Adopted in 2018, CMAP’s ON TO 2050 contains five chapters: community, prosperity, environment, governance, and transportation. Most information relevant to green infrastructure falls under the environment chapter, though the community and prosperity chapters also contain important information regarding equity and workforce development. Promote Sustainable and Healthy Buildings:

• Review and update design manuals to ensure that current data informs design standards, in tangent with continuing research and analysis on such design standards Water Management

• Protect and enhance aquatic systems through the water resource management and coordination, watershed plans, and optimization of water infrastructure investments • Reduce flood risk through maintenance and monitoring of gray and green infrastructure, including stormwater utility fees, the protection and expansion of open spaces, and

The Landscape of Green Infrastructure in Chicago

property acquisition and voluntary buyouts to help willing landowners vacate high flood risk area Greening Efforts and Natural Areas Management

• Promote and/or require native species, habitat restoration, and sustainable landscaping materials • Increase community greening efforts, expand neighborhood parks, and promote cobenefits of parks such as stormwater management • Protect and steward high-priority natural areas through effective planning, identification of high-quality landscapes (“ecological cores”), and creation of ecological buffers around and connections between cores • Reduce the rate of impervious surface creation through urban infill and densification • Incorporate site-scale green infrastructure into hardscapes such as transportation rightof-ways and non-parkland green spaces like subdivisions and golf courses Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Chicago 2021-2025 The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD) is responsible for providing stormwater management and treating wastewater for residents and businesses throughout Cook County. The MWRD also partners with communities to build green infrastructure and capital improvements to mitigate flooding issues. Its most recent plan was designed to articulate the MWRD’s mission, vision, and strategic goals; identify a set of strategic initiatives to achieve goals; and provide a framework for measuring progress and updating the Plan on a yearly basis. Water Management

• Further stormwater management goals to mitigate flooding across Cook County through a proactive, equitable stormwater management program, including implementation of grey and green infrastructure • Enforce the Watershed Management Ordinance (WMO) • Further acquisition of flood-prone property Appendix

Regional EPA Region 5 Climate Plan The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) divides the United States into 10 regions to provide more targeted goals and strategies for each. The Chicagoland Area falls under EPA Region 5, which includes Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and 35 tribes. Following a national Climate Adaption plan, all 10 Regional Offices developed Climate Change Adaption Implementation Plans to provide more details on how they will integrate climate adaption into their planning. Promote Sustainable and Healthy Buildings:

• Work to reduce exposure to radon and air quality risks through technical assistance around measures like ventilation improvement and preventative maintenance • Educate parties on the impacts of climate change on indoor air quality Water Management

• Address threats to water quality resulting from increased temperatures and extreme weather • Reevaluate of sewage, stormwater, and wastewater management systems, and integrate green infrastructure, municipal wet weather planning, and energy efficient practices • Create a drinking water program that focuses on water quality, quantity, and infrastructure with a focus on changes caused by warmer water temperatures. • Prepare for changes in the Great Lakes, including declining ice covers, changes in lake levels, new growth of algae blooms, and heightened likelihood of flooding.

National FY 2022-2026 Strategic Plan The EPA’s mission is to “protect human health and the environment”. This strategic plan provides a roadmap for achieving this mission while holding in mind its guiding principles: follow the science, follow the law, be transparent, and advance justice and equity. It outlines seven goals for addressing climate change and environmental justice, all of which include long-term performance goals with quantifiable outcomes. The Landscape of Green Infrastructure in Chicago

Promote Sustainable and Healthy Buildings:

• Collaborate with international organizations like the UN Environmental Programme (UNEP) to provide technical assistance on commercial and residential energy efficiency • Update Indoor airPLUS new home construction specification, and promote indoor environment protocols for home energy upgrades Water Management

• Ensure safe and reliable drinking water through investment in water infrastructure and cleaning up of contaminated sites. • Protect and restore waterbodies and watersheds by conducting monitoring and assessments, improving tools for detection of harmful algal blooms, creating safe reuse and stormwater capture practices, and providing technical assistance. Solid Waste Management

• Invest in domestic recycling, as well as solid waste and food waste infrastructure • Clean up contaminated sites. Update waste regulations and provide grants to improve local solid waste management programs and infrastructure.

Appendix

Stakeholder Interview Summaries Opportunity, Advancement, Innovation in Workforce Development (OAI, INC.) OAI, INC. is a social-services organization and provides skills training that leads to safe, meaningful employment with a focus on helping companies and communities thrive. OAI, INC. prioritizes communities affected by poverty or which lack necessary resources while uplifting companies facing challenges such as a declining labor pool. Additionally, OAI, INC. aims to serve people who may have language or cultural barriers towards participating in the workforce, including under or unemployed individuals, those who have been recently incarcerated or homeless, workers in need of building skills to do the job safely, undocumented workers, and others. OAI, INC. founded High Bridge, L3C, a social enterprise company specialized in landscape design, installation, and maintenance in the Chicago Southland area. With a mission centered around natural restoration and green infrastructure projects, the firm focuses on providing jobs for residents who live in economically depressed communities while also helping communities to capture and store rainfall on site and reduce flooding. High Bridge aims to promote climate resilience in communities while employing a local workforce to carry out these projects and further promote communities’ ability to drive their own work.

Delta Institute (Delta) Delta Institute is a nonprofit organization that works with communities across the Midwest to solve local environmental challenges. By integrating an approach focused on environmental, economic, and social goals, Delta aims to transform urban and rural places into thriving communities with thriving landscapes. Delta specializes in resiliency and community planning, brownfields and coal plan redevelopment, deconstruction and waste reduction, green infrastructure, and sustainable buildings. Delta has engaged in a diverse profile of various green infrastructure projects within the past several years. Currently, through funding provided by the Great Lakes Protection Fund (GLPF), Delta has partnered with the Water Finance Exchange, the Resilience Innovation Network, and municipalities to identify and remove barriers to implementing green infrastructure across the Great Lakes region. Delta has engaged with mid-sized municipalities in Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin that are disproportionately vulnerable to flooding. Delta helps communities mitigate The Landscape of Green Infrastructure in Chicago

flooding by identify green infrastructure solutions that lessen the effects of flooding, improve water quality, and create green spaces for residents. Delta’s work is divided into different buckets/areas that include project implementation and research and engagement. Delta receives project funding from sources such as the US EPA, USDA, and the National Wildlife Federation. Delta utilizes its grants for coalition building and the development of initiatives for removing barriers around green infrastructure. Additionally, Delta engages in research activities as well as municipal technical assistance, municipal supportbuilding, and program design.

The Center for Neighborhood Technology (CNT) The Center for Neighborhood Technology (CNT) is a nonprofit organization specialized in advancing urban sustainability by focusing on transportation, water, climate, and public policy initiatives. CNT has a diverse set of published research and analysis work which aims to find smart planning solutions for urban problems across the U.S. CNT has developed tools that guide planners, developers, and community leaders to make data-driven decisions. In 2020, CNT published a report with SB Friedman Development Advisors on the impact of green stormwater infrastructure on property values. The report presents the economic benefits of green stormwater infrastructure installations such as rain gardens, pervious pavement, swales, and planters, which increase the sale prices of homes located near this infrastructure. CNT developed the Green Values Stormwater Management Calculator, an interactive tool that can be used by planners, landscape architects, municipal staff, and homeowners to explore how adding various green stormwater infrastructure elements can improve the value of a property. The tool can be customized to compare the performance, costs, and benefits of desired combinations of green infrastructure best management practices (BMPs) to meet a necessary volume capacity for stormwater runoff in a cost-efficient manner.

Appendix

Latinos United for Community Housing Association, Chicago (LUCHA) Overview Based in Chicago, LUCHA is a US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) approved housing counseling agency focused on advocating for affordable housing for underserved populations in the neighborhoods of Humboldt Park, Logan Square, and West Town. As rents rise throughout Chicago, LUCHA has played a critical role in affordable housing creation and preservation and manages over 198 units of affordable rental housing. LUCHA’s clientele consists of over 1.300 residents who are low- to moderate-income and identify as 62% Latinx, 31% African American, 3% Mixed Race/Ethnicity, 1% White, and 3% other. Current Work In 2018, LUCHA commemorated the grand-opening of the new Tierra Linda, a six-flat sustainabilityoriented development focused on delivering forty-five affordable housing units with green technology for low-income residents. The project holds Enterprise Green Communities Certification and was largely funded through LUCHA’s own funding along with donations and corporation support. A critical element of Tierra Linda is the Passive House which offers housing to six families overcoming homelessness. The building adopted Passive House Institute US (PHIUS) design standards and is one of the first multi-family affordable housing buildings in Chicago to do so. LUCHA aimed for green technology and energy efficient goals to lower utility costs from an affordability standpoint, as tenants are responsible for paying utilities. This design approach would have a direct impact in bring costs down and support climate change mitigation. LUCHA engaged in a highly collaborative process in securing Passive House design implementation in the Tierra Linda development. Staff participated in weekly meetings with the contractor and mechanical engineer teams reviewing drawings, making necessary changes to window size or elevation, analyzing mechanical systems for high efficiency services, and more. Additionally, LUCHA received assistance from the City of Chicago Department of Buildings for waivers and code variances that would allow for a more efficient ventilation model to implement that could manage temperature entering and exiting the units.

The Landscape of Green Infrastructure in Chicago

Challenges LUCHA spent time negotiating with the mechanical engineer. The engineering firm was hesitant in making changes to the design and systems planned for the Passive House in order to implement the best strategies. With more time and a longer process, LUCHA looks toward hiring a firm with a diverse set of experience in conducting future developments. LUCHA is not only the first in Chicago to implement passive house projects but is currently one of only a handful of existing developments in Illinois and the rest of the United States. Only a select group of projects exist in places such as Portland, Seattle, and Pennsylvania. Passive house designs need to be adjusted to match a geography’s climate and zoning codes; therefore, each region or municipality must undergo an extensive research phase in order to properly adapt the technical details in a project. Equity around workforce development PHIUS buildings require maintenance staff to keep their systems running efficiently, however, LUCHA does not currently have funding to maintain multiple systems across several buildings. The current LUCHA maintenance staff is still learning to maintain the Passive House building system. LUCHA has recruited entry level workers who have a willingness to learn new skills and has welcomed staff to recruit friends or family members creating a grassroots-oriented supportive environment. LUCHA shared it would benefit from a nonprofit HVAC maintenance team that could go around all affordable housing developments. There is exciting potential benefit here for affordability, climate, and maintaining air quality indoor and outdoor. Having such a team that is specialized in green cleaning and skills would allow organizations to contract their services without going through the process of holding back projects when staff is not trained for these skills.

Appendix

Case Study – Cardinal State LLC Overview Launched by two former employees of a larger native landscaping company, Cardinal State constructs both traditional and ecological landscapes and hardscapes, restores degraded streams and shorelines, installs and manages native ecosystems, and provides other green infrastructure services. It is a Minority-Business Enterprise and conducts work throughout the Chicagoland area. Current Work The past few years have been busy for Cardinal State as they provide services ranging from vegetation installation and ecological monitoring to tree removals and hardscape maintenance. Much of their work is conducted as a general contractor for larger construction companies, though they also work directly with organizations such as the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD), the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), and private homeowners’ associations (HOAs). Cardinal State’s team is made up of a full-time staff of highly experienced individuals, as well as three seasonal crews who are matched to contracts based on specific skillsets and site locations. Employees in the full-time staff, who only make up a small portion of the overall team, were largely recruited from other companies. Many are highly educated, and they receive full benefits and competitive pay. In addition to the full-time staff, there are three seasonal crews who work from approximately March to December. Crewmembers are laid off during the winter months, but almost always invited to join back in the spring. Challenges While Cardinal State has been met with much success, they face several challenges common to the industry: • Workforce Development: Like many players in the industry, Cardinal State has struggled to find a skilled workforce. Historically much of their hiring was done through word of mouth, but this method has proven insufficient for their growing needs. The team is unsure of job boards targeting workers in this industry. Additionally, the seasonality of crew jobs makes them less appealing to potential employees, an issue related to the following challenge.

The Landscape of Green Infrastructure in Chicago

• Weather Dependency: Cardinal State wants to keep their crews working for as much of the year as possible, but the strong relationship between their work and seasonal weather patterns makes winter work difficult to find. While they try to look for winter work, such as vacuuming up leaves and subcontracting with tree specialist, seasonal layoffs are often inevitable. • Meeting Chicago and Community Residency Requirements: Many City of Chicago contracts ask for a percentage of the crew to reside in the zip code in which work is being conducted. While Cardinal State does work to hire local crewmembers for contracts, there is a lack of resources connecting them to talent on a zip code level. Key Takeaways: The Importance of Networks One theme that came up repeatedly was the importance of unions and professional networks for Cardi nal State. City of Chicago contracts require site crews to be members of the Local 150 Operators Union as “plantsmen.” This union represents workers in a variety of construction and related industries. A professional network of vendors was also seen as key to success for Cardinal State. These vendors include turf and soil wholesalers, soil testing vendors, aggregate material wholesalers, nurseries and equipment rental companies. The wide variety of expertise provided by these vendors is essential to fulfilling City of Chicago requirements, including extensive testing protocols for soil.

Appendix

Funding Sources As funding for green infrastructure proves to be a challenge for the region, we explore available funding databases and sources through the federal, state, and local governments. While details and availability of grants are always changing, many of the following sources provide update information. Most have a filter option for sorting out grants; information on grant types and funding cycles are also available. Table XX: Federal Funding Databases and Sources

Source

Table 3: Federal Funding Databases and Sources

Grants.gov

Description

Grant’s.gov is a database listing all federal grant opportunities USDA’s Community Facility offers direct loans, loan guarantees

United States

and grants to develop or improve

Department of

essential public services and

Agriculture (USDA)

facilities in communities across rural

URL

https://www.grants.gov/

https://www.rd.usda. gov/programs-services/ community-facilities

America United States

USDOL’s grants focus on

Department of Labor

empowering workers and job

(USDOL) United States

seekers.

Environmental

The EPA offers specific funding

green-infrastructure/green-

Protection Agency (US

around green infrastructure.

infrastructure-funding-

https://www.dol.gov/grants https://www.epa.gov/

opportunities

EPA) United States Department of

USDOT’s RAISE grants provide

https://www.transportation.

Transportation

funding to modernize infrastructure.

gov/RAISEgrants

(USDOT)

The Landscape of Green Infrastructure in Chicago

Table 4: State of Illinois Funding Databases and Source Source Description URL Illinois Department of

IDNR’s grants are updated on an

https://www2.illinois.gov/dnr/

ongoing basis.

grants/pages/default.aspx

Illinois Environmental

ILEPA provides funding for land,

https://www2.illinois.gov/epa/

Protection Agency

air, water, and energy-related

topics/grants-loans/Pages/

(ILEPA)

projects.

default.aspx

IL Department of

ILDCEO’s mission is to create

Economic Opportunity

a climate that enables a strong

(ILDCEO)

economy.

Natural Resources (IDNR)

https://www2.illinois. gov/dceo/AboutDCEO/ GrantOpportunities/Pages/ default.aspx https://idot.illinois.gov/

IDOT has several grant

transportation-system/local-

Illinois Department of

programs around green

transportation-partners/

Transportation (IDOT)

infrastructure, including the Safe

county-engineers-and-local-

Routes to School program.

public-agencies/safe-routes-toschool/index

Local Funding Databases and Sources URL

Source City of Chicago

https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/progs/grants.html

Cook County Kane County Dupage Lake County

https://www.cookcountyil.gov/content/grant-applicants-cdbg-esg https://www.countyofkane.org/Pages/Grant-Opportunities.aspx https://grants-dupage.opendata.arcgis.com/ https://www.lakecountyil.gov/188/Grants http://www.peoriagov.org/community-development/neighborhood-

Peoria County

development-division/

North Central Council of Governments Metropolitan

Water

Reclamation District Appendix

https://www.ncicg.org/grants-2/ https://mwrd.org/services/green- infrastructure 71

How to Read a Bubble Chart

The Landscape of Green Infrastructure in Chicago

Endnotes 1 Voorhees Center (2022), Chicago Region’s Clean Energy Economy: Studying Changes Since 2011 2 Jobs for the Future (US)(JFF). (2017). Exploring the green infrastructure workforce. 3 Schneemann, M. (2021). Growing Infrastructure, Growing Economies, Nurturing Investments: Stormwater Infrastructure Training and Maintenance Needs Assessment. 4 R. T. 2, 18, M., Fink, C., Jerry Posluszny Flickr, Posluszny, J., Flickr, &amp; Friday. (2019). The threat of urban flooding in Chicago. Planetizen News. Retrieved October 25, 2022, from https://www.planetizen.com/news/2019/05/104378-threat-urban-flooding-chicago 5 Gersony, L. (2022, April 21). In Chicago, flooding overwhelmingly strikes communities of color. Circle of Blue. Retrieved from https://www.circleofblue.org/2021/world/in-chicago-flooding-overwhelmingly-strikes-communities-of-color/ 6 Freed, J. (2022). Flooding hits hardest in Chicago’s communities of color. Alliance for the Great Lakes. Retrieved from https://greatlakes.org/2019/08/flooding-hits-hardest-in-chicagos-communities-of-color/ 7 Jobs for the Future (US)(JFF). (2017). Exploring the green infrastructure workforce. 8 Jobs for the Future (US)(JFF). (2017). Exploring the green infrastructure workforce. 9 United States Department of Agriculture 10 Schneemann, M. (2021). Growing Infrastructure, Growing Economies, Nurturing Investments: Stormwater Infrastructure Training and Maintenance Needs Assessment. 11 Schneemann, M. (2021). Growing Infrastructure, Growing Economies, Nurturing Investments: Stormwater Infrastructure Training and Maintenance Needs Assessment. 12 City of Chicago (2022), City of Chicago’s 2022 Climate Action Plan (CAP) 13 Chicago Metropolitan Agency (2022), Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP)’s ON TO 2050 Plan 14 Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (2020) Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Chicago 2021-2025 Plan 15 Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) (2020), EPA Region 5 Climate Plan 16 Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) (2022), EPA’s Plan for FY 2022-2026 17 Jobs for the Future (US)(JFF). (2017). Exploring the green infrastructure workforce. 18 Jobs for the Future (US)(JFF). (2017). Exploring the green infrastructure workforce. 19 Schneemann, M. (2021). Growing Infrastructure, Growing Economies, Nurturing Investments: Stormwater Infrastructure Training and Maintenance Needs Assessment. 20 Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), (2022), OCEW BLS data from 2011 to 2021 21 Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), (2020), 2020 National Employment Matrix 22 Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES), 2018, IDEA Employment Projections

Appendix

The Landscape of Green Infrastructure

Articles inside

How to Read a Bubble Chart

Stakeholder Interview Summaries

Occupation Groups: “Deep Dives”

Climate-Related Plans Overview

Key Findings

B. Strategies

A. Challenges

Industry Overview

Government Programs

Methodology

Sub-Sectors and Stakeholders

Current workforce

Employment Requirements