Mayor Emanuel Releases ‘Resilient Chicago’, the City of Chicago’s Resilience Strategy

Mayor Rahm Emanuel today joined 100 Resilient Cities – Pioneered by The Rockefeller Foundation (100RC) and a diverse group of philanthropic, non-profit, and community leaders to release Resilient Chicago , a roadmap for addressing the city’s most pressing challenges through the lens of urban resilience. As the first action in implementing Resilient Chicago , Mayor Emanuel also joined the Sierra Club to announce Chicago’s aim to transition to 100 percent renewable energy in buildings community-wide by 2035 and to an electric CTA bus fleet by 2040 with the Sierra Club’s Ready for 100 campaign.

“Now, more than ever, it is up to local leaders to develop plans for a sustainable and resilient future, and Resilient Chicago creates a framework for us to build urban resilience into Chicago’s DNA,” said Mayor Rahm Emanuel. “Ready for 100 is a key first step in implementing the vision of Resilient Chicago and builds upon our pledge to use 100% clean energy for municipal facilities by expanding that goal to include all of Chicago."

Developed by the City of Chicago in collaboration with 100RC, the city’s Resilience Strategy outlines 50 actionable initiatives which aim to reduce disparities between Chicago’s neighborhoods; address the root causes of crime and violence; ensure the provision of critical infrastructure; and promote engaged, prepared, and cohesive communities. The city’ Resilience Strategy can be found online at: Resilient.Chicago.Gov.

Resilient Chicago was developed over the course of two and a half years in partnership with local residents, civic and community leaders, and a Steering Committee of over 40 leaders from the public, private, non-profit, and philanthropic sectors. Organized into three pillars – Strong Neighborhoods, Robust Infrastructure, and Prepared Communities – the strategy provides a blueprint of immediate and long-term actions to create a Chicago that is more connected and better equipped to face the challenges of the 21st Century. Resilient Chicago is the 50th Resilience Strategy to be published within 100RC’s global network.

“By focusing on not just the acute shocks, but also the chronic stresses that weaken the city’s fabric on a day-to-day basis, with Resilient Chicago the city is poised to bounce back and thrive when faced with unexpected challenges,” said Michael Berkowitz, President of 100 Resilient Cities. “It’s clear that resilience in Chicago is grounded in community, and this sets a global example for how a city can come together to build a vibrant future.”

Read more in the City of Chicago's press release...