Brett Chase

Chicago

Investigative Environmental Journalist at Chicago Sun-Times

Environmental journalist for @Suntimes. Member of @IRE_NICAR

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Articles

Chicago’s air quality among worst in the world due to Canadian wildfire smoke

1 day ago | dailyherald.com | Mohammad Samra |Brett Chase

Part of the Chicago skyline is seen from East Solidarity Drive near the Adler Planetarium in the South Loop, Thursday, June 5, 2025. Justin Myers/Sun-Times Chicago’s air quality was among the worst in the world after Canadian wildfire smoke drifted south to create unsafe conditions for seniors, young children and people with respiratory illnesses. The poor air quality is due to Canadian wildfire smoke in the region which prompted an air quality alert for the Chicago area Thursday.
Illinois bill to push renewable energy dies after businesses balk

4 days ago | wbez.org | Brett Chase

A plan aimed at generating new power in Illinois died in the final days of the legislative session in Springfield after business groups argued that the proposal was too expensive and would be a burden to electricity customers. Lawmakers spent months crafting legislation that they hoped would spur development of new wind and solar power as well as large batteries to store the energy.
Illinois bill to push renewable energy dies after businesses balk

4 days ago | chicago.suntimes.com | Brett Chase

A plan aimed at generating new power in Illinois died in the final days of the legislative session in Springfield after business groups argued that the proposal was too expensive and would be a burden to electric customers. Lawmakers spent months crafting legislation that they hoped would spur development of new wind and solar power as well as large batteries to store the energy.
Lawmakers in Springfield eye remedy for soaring electric bills

1 week ago | chicago.suntimes.com | Brett Chase |George Wiebe

Just weeks before ComEd customers are about to get hit with higher bills, Illinois lawmakers are considering ways to generate and conserve more power with a plan to push for additional solar and wind energy and end a state ban on new nuclear plants. Under the measure, the state would also provide incentives to build large batteries that store the energy produced by “renewable” solar and wind power.
Las facturas de luz de ComEd aumentarán en junio

1 week ago | chicago.suntimes.com | Brett Chase

El mejor lugar para cobertura de noticias y cultura latina en Chicago. Los clientes de ComEd están a punto de experimentar un gran aumento en sus facturas de electricidad. Como informó el Chicago Sun-Times en noviembre, la demanda de energía de los grandes centros de datos y el retraso en la conexión de nuevas fuentes de energía, como la solar y la eólica, a la red eléctrica están ocasionando que los clientes de ComEd vean un aumento promedio de $10.60 al mes en sus facturas mensuales.
Trump Tower to pay $4.8M for killing fish in Chicago River

2 weeks ago | ourcommunitynow.com | Brett Chase

Share The Trump Tower operator agreed to pay $4.8 million to settle allegations that its cooling-water intake system illegally sucked in and killed thousands of fish from the Chicago River over a years-long period. The proposed settlement, announced Thursday, has to be approved by a Cook County Circuit Court judge. The tower at 401 N. Wabash Ave.
Trump Tower fish-kill lawsuit settled with state for $4.5 million

2 weeks ago | chicago.suntimes.com | Brett Chase

The Trump Tower operator agreed to pay $4.8 million to settle allegations that its cooling-water intake system illegally sucked in and killed thousands of fish from the Chicago River over a several-year period. The proposed settlement has to be approved by a Cook County Circuit Court judge. The tower at 401 N. Wabash Ave.
ComEd electric bills are set to surge in June

2 weeks ago | chicago.suntimes.com | Brett Chase

ComEd customers are about to see a big spike in their electric bills. As the Sun-Times reported in November, the demand for power from big data centers and a delay connecting new power sources, such as solar and wind, to the electric grid is resulting in ComEd customers seeing their monthly bills go up $10.60 a month on average. Most customers won’t see this increase until their July bills are delivered, a spokesman for the utility said. The higher prices may stick until May of next year.
A Chicago law could shift where heavy industry operates - and who bears the burden of pollution

1 month ago | yahoo.com | Juanpablo Ramirez-Franco |Brett Chase

This coverage is made possible through a partnership between Grist and WBEZ, a public radio station serving the Chicago metropolitan region. Chicago city leaders are set to consider a major overhaul in how and where polluting businesses are allowed to open, nearly two years after the city settled a civil rights complaint that alleged a pattern of discrimination threatening the health of low-income communities of color.
Mayor Brandon Johnson pushes environmental equity law after feds alleged racist policies

1 month ago | chicago.suntimes.com | Brett Chase |Juanpablo Ramirez-Franco

Mayor Brandon Johnson is pushing an ordinance to change how and where polluting businesses are allowed to open nearly two years after the city settled a civil rights complaint that alleged a pattern of discrimination that led to health threats in low-income communities of color. If passed into law, the measure would provide a significant change in the way heavy industry is allowed to locate and operate in Chicago.