As a Perez Elementary School parent and resident of Pilsen, I am tiring of the critics saying that the alderman has done nothing to address environmental concerns in our community.

As far back as 2002, Alderman Danny Solis was working to clean up the airborne particulates from the Fisk Power Plant. In 2002 he introduced an even stronger ordinance than the current Clean Power Ordinance. That ordinance was stalled in the city council because of an issue of regulatory powers. In 2006, Alderman Solis worked with Midwest Generation and the Illinois EPA to regulate emissions from the plant and force them to make a series of changes over time up to 2015 — or to close down.

Thankfully, the Chicago Tribune was able to monitor and detect the potentially serious lead problem at Benito Juarez High School and Perez Elementary School. Unfortunately, they decided to release those results on the Friday before the election, causing the Chicago Journal to question the veracity of Alderman Solis’ response to the report — a new ordinance monitoring the levels of lead emitted from various facilities and forcing them to cease operations if they exceed federal EPA limits.

I am very happy to see that Alderman Solis has taken the lead on addressing the lead problem in Pilsen. As soon as the news got out that lead is contaminating the air around our schools, Alderman Solis began collecting signatures to show the community’s support of his efforts to reduce the amount of lead particles in the air. Within two days, Alderman Solis drafted and presented an ordinance that would directly reduce lead in the air. He was also able to get the support of other aldermen including Ald. Proco “Joe” Moreno, Ald. George Cardenas and Ald. Bob Fioretti.

Alderman Solis took this initiative because he knows how important it is to protect the children and neighbors in our community. It is unacceptable for children to be exposed to such high and dangerous levels of lead. Lead can cause developmental delays, behavioral problems and nervous system damage.

There is no time to waste in addressing this news and Alderman Solis acted swiftly. Thank you for always heeding to the voices of your community.

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By Moises "Moy" Moreno from Pilsen
Posted: 05/16/2011 5:49 PM

@ Ms. Godinez, Your comments regarding Alderman Solis and the lead poisoning and pollution near Perez school neglected to mention his close ties to Midwest Generation $$$ campaign donations and his finance committee chaired by Midwest Generation executive...Alderman Solis had 15 years to do something about it, and even though the Election is over and he was re-elected, it doesnt take a genius to realize that his actions and lack-thereof were all political decisions. We will get what we deserve