Kate Chappell

2 weeks ago | nbcchicago.com | Kate Chappell

A couple in Barrington Hills is fighting to reopen their u-pick tulip farm after the village sent a cease and desist last May. Chris Yamamoto and his wife, Sara Gul, opened Little Ducky Flower Farm in August 2022. They operated the u-pick for four seasons before the village received an anonymous complaint. In the letter, the village cites zoning rules that prohibit retail business in a residential district. "We believe public support is very, very strong," Yamamoto said.

2 weeks ago | nbcchicago.com | Kate Chappell

Sports and sustainability might not be two words that come to mind in the same sentence often, but Chicago’s teams are making strides in their environmental efforts. The city’s iconic stadiums see millions of fans every year, and as pillars of their community, each share a sense of responsibility to set an example with fans. On the North Side, the Cubs have hit a home run in recycling.

2 weeks ago | nbcchicago.com | Kate Chappell

2 weeks ago | nbcchicago.com | Kate Chappell

The village of Channahon is one of 47 community water systems in Illinois notified by the Illinois EPA (IEPA) that PFAS detected in the groundwater exceed newly enacted state-level quality standards. On Friday, the village notified residents it will cease using three contaminated wells, effective Monday, to meet IEPA standards for regulated PFAS, more commonly known as "forever chemicals."Despite the finding, officials say the water in the community is still safe to drink.

3 weeks ago | nbcchicago.com | Kate Chappell

A solar energy project based in Chicago's south suburbs is helping to bring clean energy to hundreds of Chicago homes and businesses. Reactivate is a developer, owner and operator of renewable energy solutions and projects that focus on working class, low and moderate income households. One of its more recent projects is Verduin, one of the first "community solar" installations located within an environmental justice community in Cook County.