@brettchase.bsky.social
Environmental reporter with @chicago.suntimes.com https://chicago.suntimes.com/authors/brett-chase
Pullman Innovations was featured in a 2023 Sun-Times investigation that found city citations did little to thwart polluters across Chicago. City inspectors described the facility as having a “very strong odor that could best be described as rotting fish/decay of flesh.”
Illinois Attorney General, city of Chicago sue Pullman Innovations over overwhelming odors — years later
chicago.suntimes.com
¿Están demoliendo el Hawthorne Race Course para construir un centro de datos? Cicero cree que sí chicago.suntimes.com/la-voz/2026/...
¿Están demoliendo el Hawthorne Race Course para construir un centro de datos? Cicero cree que sí
Los funcionarios de Cicero consideraron este martes adoptar resoluciones para oponerse a dos supuestos centros de datos, uno en el histórico Hawthorne Race Course, que cerró recientemente tras 135 año...
chicago.suntimes.com
Cicero trustees will consider resolutions Tuesday to oppose two rumored data centers, one at the historic horse-racing venue in neighboring Stickney.
Is Hawthorne Race Course being torn down for a data center? Cicero thinks so.
chicago.suntimes.com
Hey Chicago Blue Sky Fam, this storm is pretty crazy if you see or know of major flooding or storm damage let me know and I’ll try to get out there for some photos!
Besides Obama, Chicago produced a second president, and he's about to turn 100. Also, he's really into the Deep Tunnel. chicago.suntimes.com/chicago-hist...
Besides Obama, Chicago produced a second president, and he's about to turn 100
Former Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus spent half his life in Chicago and ran the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Great Lakes regional office before going home to serve his country.
chicago.suntimes.com
The hazy smoke, which also carries a noticeable scent, has moved into the region from Canada. The alert is in effect until midnight, according to the National Weather Service.
Wildfire smoke prompts air quality alert for most of Chicago area
chicago.suntimes.com
Justin Harbison, aka the "Sewer Monster," helps reduce mosquito populations that might carry the West Nile virus by treating Chicago-area sewers with insecticides aimed at killing recently hatched larvae before they become blood suckers.
Mosquitoes biting? The ‘Sewer Monster’ is on the case.
chicago.suntimes.com
‘Hazardous’ Canadian wildfire smoke prompts air quality warning for Chicago. Here’s what you should know. chicago.suntimes.com/weather/2026... @brettchase.bsky.social and Mohammad Samra have more
‘Hazardous’ Canadian wildfire smoke prompts air quality warning for Chicago. Here’s what you should know.
The hazy smoke, which also carries a strong smell, has moved in from Canada. The alert is in effect until midnight, according to the National Weather Service.
chicago.suntimes.com
The nearly 8 billion-gallon Thornton reservoir, which helps prevent flooding, was nearly full this week. The sewer water is slowly being pumped out but it will be weeks before the south suburban quarry is dry again.
Deep Tunnel reservoir will take at least a month to drain
chicago.suntimes.com
This morning, I kicked off a conversation about mosquito season and how to protect yourself on @wbez.org with @pksmid.bsky.social and @maryldixon.bsky.social Give it a listen here. www.wbez.org/say-more-wit...
They’re spreading irritation – and even disease – across Illinois
According to Orkin Pest Control, Chicago is ranked No. 2 in the U.S. in mosquito activity over the last year. Yuck.
wbez.org
Lo que significa que el sistema de túneles de Chicago esté al límite tras las fuertes lluvias del fin de semana chicago.suntimes.com/la-voz/2026/...
Lo que significa que el sistema de túneles de Chicago esté al límite tras las fuertes lluvias del fin de semana
El Deep Tunnel fue construido para contener las aguas de inundación de Chicago, proteger los ríos de la zona y el Lago Michigan. Ahora existe el riesgo de que los suburbios se inunden y las alcantaril...
chicago.suntimes.com
Mayor Johnson lauds a $12 million pilot project to build underground storage in Austin aimed at capturing floodwater before it overwhelms outdated sewers. The city hopes the concept can be a model for other neighborhoods.
Underground storage project aims to fix chronic flooding in Chicago
chicago.suntimes.com
11! Billion! Gallons! Of Water! @brettchase.bsky.social tells all // Chicago's Deep Tunnel anti-flooding system nearly full after days of heavy rain chicago.suntimes.com/environment/...
Chicago's Deep Tunnel anti-flooding system nearly full after days of heavy rain
The massive system of tunnels and reservoirs was built to contain Chicago’s floodwater, protect area rivers and Lake Michigan. Now, there's a risk that suburbs will flood and sewers will overflow into...
chicago.suntimes.com
PHOTOS: Deep Tunnel has never reached its limit. After weekend's heavy rains, it’s almost full. Here's what that means.
You can read more from @brettchase.bsky.social here at the Chicago Sun-Times. chicago.suntimes.com/environment/...
Chicago's Deep Tunnel anti-flooding system nearly full after days of heavy rain
The massive system of tunnels and reservoirs was built to contain Chicago’s flood water, protect area rivers and Lake Michigan. Now, there's a risk that suburbs will flood and sewers will overflow int...
chicago.suntimes.com
The massive system of tunnels and reservoirs was built to contain Chicago’s flood water. After more than 8 inches of rain over the past 30 days, the system is nearing capacity.
Deep Tunnel has never reached its limit. After a weekend of heavy rains it’s almost full
chicago.suntimes.com
Mayor Brandon Johnson’s administration says it will spend more than $520 million to fix homes and the sewer infrastructure needed to help prevent future floods. Residents are growing impatient.
West Side residents wait for city’s help with aging sewers, homes damaged in 2023 floods
chicago.suntimes.com
Despite hostile efforts from the White House to slow the transition, clean energy is showing resilience.
Trump Administration Abandons Fight Against Wind Energy as Clean Energy Output Surges - Inside Climate News
The clean energy sector is showing resilience despite challenges thrown at it by a hostile White House, a recent report found. A string of legal victories has further dampened the Trump administration...
insideclimatenews.org
In Englewood, more than 900 people were without power Friday after two days of strong winds and punishing weather that downed trees citywide. Elsewhere, Merrillville, Indiana, suburban Bartlett and downstate communities were hit by destructive tornadoes Thursday.
More than 100,000 ComEd customers still without power after severe storms
chicago.suntimes.com
ComEd ofrece hasta $500 a pequeños negocios para pagar sus facturas de luz cada vez más altas chicago.suntimes.com/la-voz/2026/...
ComEd ofrece hasta $500 a pequeños negocios para pagar sus facturas de luz cada vez más altas
El programa de $2.5 millones se creó después de que el crecimiento de los centros de datos de inteligencia artificial ocasionó el incremento de los precios de electricidad por segundo año consecutivo.
chicago.suntimes.com
Mangroves may increasingly “drown” as sea levels rise, a new study suggests, which has major consequences for the climate.
Mangrove Forests Fight Climate Change—But Climate Change Is Fighting Back - Inside Climate News
Mangroves store vast amounts of climate-warming carbon. Sea level rise may push them past the brink, according to a new study.
insideclimatenews.org
Salt water laced with cancer-causing chemicals, a byproduct of oil and gas drilling, keeps shooting out of the ground in Oklahoma. Experts say it means even more wastewater is spreading underground, poisoning the state’s water supply. (Published Oct. 2025 with @readfrontier.bsky.social)
Toxic Wastewater From Oil Fields Keeps Pouring Out of the Ground. Oklahoma Regulators Failed to Stop It.
Salt water laced with cancer-causing chemicals, a byproduct of oil and gas drilling, is spewing from old wells. Experts warn of a pollution crisis spreading underground and threatening Oklahoma’s drin...
propublica.org
Residentes de Pilsen advierten sobre aire tóxico de trituradora de metales y piden demorar permiso nuevo chicago.suntimes.com/la-voz/2026/...
Residentes de Pilsen advierten sobre aire tóxico de trituradora de metales y piden demorar permiso nuevo
Sims Metal procesa autos en desuso y otros objetos mediante una gran operación de triturado, lo que genera humo y ruido. Los residentes se preocupan por la contaminación del aire.
chicago.suntimes.com
ComEd is offering payments of up to $500 for small business customers who can’t pay their electric bills following two years of price spikes related to data center growth. The grant applications will be available June 15 on a first-come basis.
ComEd to offer up to $500 for small businesses struggling to pay electric bills
chicago.suntimes.com
Sims Metal runs junked cars and other items through a large shredding operation, creating fumes and noise. Residents worry about air pollution.
Pilsen residents warn of toxic metals from metal scrapper, ask Pritzker to slow permit renewal
chicago.suntimes.com
The FDA webpage had a stark warning: Some purported autism “cures” or treatments, including chlorine dioxide and raw camel milk, are dangerous and make misleading claims. Under RFK Jr.’s leadership, that advisory is gone. (Published Feb.)
Chlorine Dioxide, Raw Camel Milk: The FDA No Longer Warns Against These and Other Ineffective Autism Treatments
The FDA has taken down a webpage warning about therapies and products making “false claims” of treating autism. It’s part of a series of actions the agency has taken under Secretary Robert F. Kennedy ...
propublica.org
A test sampling of Lake Michigan, the Chicago River and other waterways across Illinois found tiny plastics present, posing potential threats to human health and damage to the environment, according to an advocacy group.
Microplastics found in Lake Michigan, Chicago River, other Illinois waterways
chicago.suntimes.com
Pocos residentes de Chicago compran seguros contra inundaciones. ¿Deberían hacerlo? chicago.suntimes.com/la-voz/2026/...
Pocos residentes de Chicago compran seguros contra inundaciones. ¿Deberían hacerlo?
Casi todas las comunidades del área de Chicago están en riesgo de inundaciones y se espera que las tormentas más intensas aumenten. Muchas personas no se dan cuenta de que su seguro de hogar no cubre ...
chicago.suntimes.com
Almost every community in the Chicago area is at risk of flooding, and powerful storms are expected to increase. Here's what to know about flood insurance.
Few Chicago residents buy flood insurance, but should they?
chicago.suntimes.com
Clientes de ComEd podrían enfrentar un aumento de dos dígitos en sus facturas de luz chicago.suntimes.com/la-voz/2026/...
Clientes de ComEd podrían enfrentar un aumento de dos dígitos en sus facturas de luz
Los centros de datos de Inteligencia Artificial están aumentando los costos para los consumidores mientras la demanda comienza a amenazar el suministro eléctrico.
chicago.suntimes.com