Policy Memo: Combating Environmental Neglect in Abandoned Buildings through Green Remediation

houses

TO: Governor of Illinois, JB Pritzker 

FROM: Ashley Miller Hotza  

 

Executive Summary 

 

Abandoned and dilapidated buildings across Illinois, particularly in Chicago, pose significant environmental, economic, and public health risks. These structures waste energy, spread contaminants, and fuel urban decline. I recommend three policy actions Illinois can take to advance green remediation, the sustainable cleanup and retrofitting of neglected properties: 

1. Establish a Green Remediation Incentive Program (GRIP) to provide grants and rebates for energy-efficient rehabilitation. 

2. Issue State-Backed Green Bonds to fund low-interest loans and grants for community-based projects. 

3. Create a Public-Private Redevelopment Partnership Task Force to coordinate local governments, developers, and sustainability experts. 

Together, these measures can transform blight into opportunity, reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and align with Illinois’ Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA).  

 

The Problem: Environmental Hazards in Urban Abandonment 

 

Nature of the Problem 

Illinois cities host thousands of abandoned buildings that contribute to environmental harm. Poor insulation, failing HVAC systems, and exposure to hazardous materials like asbestos, lead, and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) degrade air quality and threaten community health (Illinois EPA, 2022). Left unattended, these properties accelerate urban decay and contribute to avoidable emissions. 

Context and Scale 

The issue has deepened in post-industrial neighborhoods facing population loss and disinvestment. Chicago’s South and West Sides alone contain more than 15,000 vacant or abandoned structures (City of Chicago, 2023). These same areas are Environmental Justice communities, where residents face disproportionate pollution burdens and higher vulnerability to climate change. 

Urgency 

Green remediation can advance CEJA’s dual mandate: decarbonization and equity. Revitalizing abandoned buildings will cut emissions, improve public health, and generate local jobs. Without action, these properties remain liabilities rather than assets. 

 

Recommendation 1: Establish a Green Remediation Incentive Program (GRIP) 

 

Illinois should launch GRIP as a state-funded program providing grants and rebates to developers, nonprofits, and community-based organizations that remediate abandoned buildings using high-efficiency retrofits: solar panels, heat pumps, LED lighting, and low-impact materials. 

Implementation Strategy 

The Governor’s Office should propose GRIP through collaboration with key legislative leaders, directing the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) to administer funds. Initial allocations could be drawn from CEJA-authorized clean energy budgets, with future funding expanded through appropriations or green bond proceeds. 

Impact 

Targeted incentives unlock private participation. Programs in New York and California show that rebates increase adoption of clean building practices, especially when paired with technical assistance (NYSERDA, 2021). Tailoring incentives to abandoned properties ensures Illinois converts liabilities into long-term community assets. 

 

Recommendation 2: Leverage State-Issued Green Bonds 

 

The Governor should authorize the issuance of state-backed green bonds to finance low-interest loans and targeted grants for green remediation. 

Implementation Strategy 

The Illinois Finance Authority could issue the bonds, with proceeds earmarked for urban remediation. Partnering with financial institutions and mission-aligned investors ensures broad market participation. The Governor’s Office can structure bond authorization in partnership with the legislature, drawing on precedents from state-level climate finance initiatives. 

Impact 

Green bonds provide capital at scale while appealing to investors seeking socially responsible opportunities. By earmarking proceeds for remediation, Illinois reduces upfront costs for smaller developers and community groups, ensuring access to climate-aligned finance (U.S. Treasury, 2020). 

 

Recommendation 3: Create a Public-Private Redevelopment Partnership Task Force 

 

The Governor’s Office should establish a Public-Private Redevelopment Partnership Task Force to coordinate clean remediation efforts across agencies, municipalities, developers, and sustainability experts. 

Implementation Strategy 

The task force should include representatives from the Illinois EPA, DCEO, Chicago’s Department of Planning, local governments, clean energy businesses, and community organizations. The Governor should appoint a chair with authority to prioritize remediation zones, streamline permitting, and set best-practice guidelines. The group should publish annual progress reports to ensure transparency and accountability. 

Impact 

Redevelopment often stalls due to fragmented governance and regulatory hurdles. Task forces in Detroit and Baltimore demonstrate that coordinated leadership can accelerate timelines and improve community outcomes (Smart Growth America, 2022). Illinois can replicate these successes while tailoring to its CEJA-driven equity goals. 

 

Cost-Benefit Analysis 

 

GHG Abatement Potential 

Retrofitting 5,000 abandoned Illinois buildings over 10 years could abate 0.5–1.2 million metric tons of CO₂e annually by 2035. Estimates derive from the Energy Policy Simulator for Illinois and EPA’s GHG equivalency calculator, which show that retrofits cut emissions by 30–60% per building, depending on condition. 

Macroeconomic Impacts 

  • Jobs: Each $1 million invested in green building supports 5–7 jobs. A $250 million program could generate 1,250–1,750 jobs annually, particularly in construction, environmental services, and clean energy installation. 

  • Property Values: Redevelopment uplifts nearby property values by 5–15%, increasing municipal revenues (Smart Growth America, 2022). 

  • Public Health: Every $1 spent on lead abatement saves up to $17 in health costs (CDC, 2021). Avoided costs from asbestos, mold, and poor insulation amplify savings. 

  • Costs: Estimated $250–$400 million in upfront capital over 10 years, offset by positive net present value of benefits over 20 years. 

Other Considerations 

  • Equity: Targeting South and West Side communities ensures alignment with Environmental Justice priorities. 

  • Feasibility: Green bonds lower fiscal barriers, while partnerships expand implementation capacity. 

  • Cost-Effectiveness: Abatement cost per ton ($50–$100) is competitive with transportation or industrial policies. 

  • Durability: Retrofits lock in emissions reductions for decades without dependence on speculative technologies. 

 

Justification and Alternatives 

 

Other strategies, such as statewide carbon pricing or new construction mandates, offer emissions benefits but face steeper political resistance and weaker alignment with urban revitalization. Green remediation is feasible, equity-centered, and cost-effective, leveraging proven technologies and existing state momentum under CEJA. Opposition from developers wary of costs is anticipated, yet GRIP incentives and green bond financing reduce barriers. Support from community groups, labor unions, and clean tech businesses strengthens the coalition in favor of adoption. 

 

Conclusion 

 

Abandoned buildings are more than urban scars, they are untapped opportunities for emissions reduction, public health improvement, and economic revitalization. By launching GRIP, issuing green bonds, and creating a redevelopment task force, Illinois can transform environmental neglect into climate leadership. 

I urge your administration to act in the next legislative session and make green remediation a cornerstone of Illinois’ clean energy and equity agenda. 

 

References 

 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). Lead exposure and prevention report. 

City of Chicago Department of Planning. (2023). Vacant properties assessment. 

Illinois Environmental Protection Agency. (2022). Urban contamination and public health report. 

New York State Energy Research and Development Authority. (2021). Green retrofit grant program review. 

Smart Growth America. (2022). Best practices in public-private redevelopment. 

U.S. Department of the Treasury. (2020). Green bond market analysis.