Jennifer Caddick

Chicago, IL (June 23, 2021) – Earlier today, the Canadian government released new rules on the regulation of ship ballast water. In response, Alliance for the Great Lakes Chief Operating Officer and Vice President for Policy Molly Flanagan issued the following statement:

“The Alliance for the Great Lakes is pleased to see Canada put in place new rules on ballast water tanks that will help keep aquatic invasive species out of the Great Lakes. The rules are an important step toward preventing irreversible damage to the lakes.

Reporting has found that “lakers” — ships that transit solely within Great Lakes waterways — contribute to the spread of destructive aquatic invasive species among the lakes. Aquatic invasive species can irreparably harm our ecosystem and cost the region billions. Under these new rules, which will require all vessels stopping at Candian ports to have ballast water treatment systems by 2030, it is estimated the spread of invasive species at Canadian Great Lakes ports will be reduced by 82 percent. Additionally, an estimated $980 million in benefits will result from the implementation of these rules. Given that costs to comply are about $280 million, that amounts to an impressive 3.5 to 1 benefit/cost ratio.

While we applaud Canada for taking action, these new rules serve as a reminder that the United States must also hold up its end of the bargain by implementing similarly strong ballast water standards on board all ships operating on the Great Lakes.The Alliance for the Great Lakes calls on the United States Environmental Protection Agency to regulate all vessels on the Great Lakes, including lakers. Ultimately, unwavering commitments from both countries are necessary to keep aquatic invasive species at bay and protect the health and vitality of the Great Lakes for future generations.”

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Media contact: Jennifer Caddick, jcaddick@greatlakes.org

CHICAGO, May 12, 2021 – The Alliance for the Great Lakes and the Metropolitan Planning Council, in partnership with Calumet Connect, which is a coalition of local and community organizations working for change along the Calumet River, are releasing six policy recommendations today for the City of Chicago to overhaul its zoning to improve public health and address environmental injustice for residents living near the Calumet Industrial Corridor. The recommendations come as the City begins to embark on a long-awaited revamp of industrial corridor management rules and also on the heels of the decision by Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot — at the urging of U.S. EPA Administrator Michael Regan — to delay issuing the permit for the General Iron Southeast Side Recycling project along the Calumet River, the six-mile river that connects Chicago’s southeast side neighborhoods to Lake Michigan.

As the City begins the Far South Industrial Corridor Modernization process, which will include the Calumet Industrial Corridor, the following recommendations by the organizations ensure that the resulting corridor plan creates better options to deal with future environmental and public health risks more proactively. This process will determine what can be built along this corridor in the future and the types of public health and environmental issues that are considered when new facilities are permitted. They recommend that the city:

• Use a community engagement process that encourages and uses community feedback, including feedback about health equity;
• Make decisions based on the cumulative impact of development, not the emissions or other impacts of an individual facility;
• Close the loophole that allows industries in the Calumet Industrial Corridor to handle and store hazardous materials without special review;
• Create and enforce policies that reduce the negative public health impacts of warehouse truck traffic;
• Require industrial facilities to plant and maintain landscaping that separates their facilities from nearby residential neighborhoods; and
• Improve the public’s access to information about public health and environmental impacts of industrial activities.

The proposed relocation of General Iron’s recycling facility from Lincoln Park, a majority white neighborhood, to the Calumet Industrial Corridor, which is majority Hispanic/Latinx and Black, caused a great public outcry and inspired a month-long hunger strike by several residents in protest.

While the groups are pleased that Mayor Lightfoot and Administrator Regan listened to community members who fought to stop the General Iron project — many of whom are also involved in the Calumet Connect coalition — the proposed facility is the most recent in a long line of environmental injustices along the Calumet River that need to be addressed.

Previous research by Calumet Connect found that in the Calumet Industrial Corridor — where Hispanic/Latino residents make up 59% of the population and Black residents make up 25% — residents disproportionately experience adverse health outcomes, the area faces a shortage of primary healthcare services, and toxic chemical releases remain at high levels.

“General Iron is only the latest example of why we need zoning reform and more strict regulations to protect the people who live here,” said Olga Bautista, Southeast Side resident and community planning manager at the Alliance for the Great Lakes. “It’s why these new recommendations are so important, so that the city has the authority to deny such inequitable permits in the future. This is an opportunity to set a high bar for future generations. After a decade of fighting to prevent new pollution sources and clean up existing sources, the community deserves no less.”

“What would the community look like if planners valued the public health of these residents and workers, while simultaneously allowing for clean and safe jobs and responsible, equity-centered development?” said Christina Harris, director of land use and planning at the Metropolitan Planning Council. “These are the questions that should be at the forefront as Chicago undertakes new planning processes that tackle land use changes within the city’s industrial corridors.”

Administrator Regan and Mayor Lightfoot deserve commendation for pledging to work together to complete an environmental justice analysis to meaningfully consider the aggregate potential health effects of the proposed General Iron facility on the Southeast area of Chicago, and for using this analysis to inform the City’s permitting decision. The organizations look forward to supporting the City’s Chief Sustainability Officer, the Department of Public Health and community leaders in the development of a cumulative impact ordinance for consideration by the City Council before the end of this year.

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Media Contact: Jennifer Caddick, jcaddick@greatlakes.org

The Alliance for the Great Lakes is a nonpartisan nonprofit working across the region to protect our most precious resource: the fresh, clean, and natural waters of the Great Lakes. Our staff are headquartered in Chicago, with additional offices in Michigan, Ohio, New York, and Wisconsin.

Shaping a better, bolder, more equitable future for everyone: For more than 85 years, the Metropolitan Planning Council (MPC) has partnered with communities, businesses, and governments to unleash the greatness of the Chicago region. We believe that every neighborhood has promise, every community should be heard, and every person can thrive. To tackle the toughest urban planning and development challenges, we create collaborations that change perceptions, conversations—and the status quo.

Chicago, IL (March 31, 2021) – In a speech this afternoon, President Biden announced the American Jobs Plan which proposes significant investments in infrastructure. Alliance for the Great Lakes Chief Operating Officer and Vice President for Programs Molly Flanagan issued the following statement in response to the announcement.

“Our work at the Alliance for the Great Lakes is focused on protecting the fresh, clean, and natural waters of the Great Lakes, which supply drinking water to millions of Americans. Therefore, we are encouraged to see President Biden make major water infrastructure commitments today during his speech in Pittsburgh, to the tune of $111 billion. Specifically, lead pipe replacement (allocated at $45 billion) and the modernization of America’s drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure ($66 billion) are two critically important priorities for the Great Lakes region, and we look forward to seeing these investments in action. The American Jobs Plan plan also prioritizes natural infrastructure investments to better protect Great Lakes communities against some of the worsening impacts of climate change.

Due to decades of neglect, our current water infrastructure is nearing the end of its useful life, and the EPA has estimated that $188 billion over the next 20 years will be needed in improvements, upgrades, and repairs to these systems in the Great Lakes alone.

Simply put, it’s unacceptable that people don’t have access to safe, clean water in such a water-rich region due to the state of our infrastructure. The longer we wait to do something, the more expensive this problem becomes for taxpayers and the more vulnerable our waters are to the threats of climate change. Not only that, but the damage will continue to be disproportionately felt by the Great Lakes’ underserved rural communities and communities of color unless we create sustainable, equitable, and climate-resilient solutions.

Today’s speech was an important first step for the United States to begin repairing our water infrastructure, a subject that regularly enjoys support from both sides of the aisle and will lead to job creation in addition to the environmental and public health benefits. We are excited to continue working with the Biden administration and members of Congress to create a water infrastructure plan that works for all Great Lakes residents.”

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Media contact: Jennifer Caddick, jcaddick@greatlakes.org

The Alliance for the Great Lakes celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2020. Although we could not gather together to celebrate our anniversary as planned, we took the occasion to review our work and legacy. Through a series of articles, we reflected on the Great Lakes and clean water issues that the Alliance shaped over the past 50 years. But, we didn’t want to just look back at past successes. We also asked, “What’s next, and how can we do better?”

Despite the challenges of 2020, our vision of protecting and sustaining our Great Lakes so people in the region can enjoy all that they have to offer is stronger and more critical than ever. We engaged with and empowered tens of thousands of people to advocate, give back, and take action to protect the Great Lakes—our most precious resource in the region. And, we partnered with communities and leaders to develop actionable solutions that champion both our lakes and our communities.

Thanks to supporters like you, we’re proud to say we’ve achieved a lot this year.

Download the Alliance for the Great Lakes 2020 Annual Report, which includes a message from our CEO Joel Brammeier, a report on the Alliance’s finances, a listing of our generous donors, and more.

2020 Program Achievements

Advocacy & Leadership

Drinking Water
We fought to stop residential water shut-offs that disproportionately hit communities of color throughout the Great Lakes region – at a time when access to safe and clean water was essential to protecting people from COVID-19.

Invasive Asian Carp
We secured the critical bi-partisan Congressional support, state-level agreements, and funding that enables a major project to keep invasive Asian carp from entering the Great Lakes.

Great Lakes Restoration
We helped achieve a significant increase in funding for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, which pays for the cleanup of contamination and restoration of fish and wildlife habitat across the region.

Democracy & Election
We developed a nonpartisan toolkit — The 2020 Election Season and the Great Lakes — to get more voters involved during the 2020 election season and launched the bilingual Great Lakes Voter Information Center.

Education & Action

Adopt-A-Beach
Volunteers stepped up, despite challenging logistics related to the COVID-19 pandemic and organized cleanups on all 5 Great Lakes in ways that protected the health of our volunteers and the lakes.

H.O.M.E.School
Hundreds of parents and teachers used our new H.O.M.E.School curriculum to learn about Great Lakes issues.

Climate Change
We educated thousands of Great Lakes residents, policymakers, and media about high water levels, the link to climate change, and the need for long-term climate-ready solutions.

Research & Analysis

Industry
We documented the negative public health impacts of industrial land-use policies in the Lake Michigan and Calumet River communities on the Illinois-Indiana border.

Infrastructure
We developed five new case studies showcasing cities that have successfully implemented green and gray water infrastructure as part of our Detroit work to reduce pollution and flooding.

Chicago, IL (January 20, 2021) – The Alliance for the Great Lakes congratulates and welcomes President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris as they begin their historic term in office. We look forward to working with the new administration on the issues that matter to the Great Lakes and the region’s residents.

Ensuring all communities have access to clean drinking water, more important than ever in the midst of a global pandemic; rebuilding the region’s crumbling water infrastructure; and making sure that climate decisions are made through the lens of environmental justice should all be at the top of the federal agenda.

While this is certainly a moment that deserves celebration, Great Lakes residents and advocates have high expectations for this administration to deliver on their promises to voters. Let’s get to work.

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Media contact: Jennifer Caddick, jcaddick@greatlakes.org

(Columbus, OH) November 25, 2020 – Earlier today, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine announced the appointment of Crystal M.C. Davis, the Alliance’s Vice President for Policy and Strategic Engagement, to a three-year term on the Ohio Lake Erie Commission.

In response, Davis issued the following statement:

“I thank Gov. DeWine for the opportunity, and I’m honored to accept this appointment to the Ohio Lake Erie Commission. As a native Ohioan and someone who grew up loving Lake Erie, this is a special honor.

Through my work at the Alliance for the Great Lakes, I’ve been able to combine my passion for advocacy on behalf of urban communities with my deep care for and connection to the Great Lakes, helping to ensure people’s access to fresh, clean water.

As part of the commission, I will continue to strive for progress and accountability in Lake Erie clean-up programs while also making sure the voices of impacted communities are at the table at all stages of the decision-making process. Let’s get to work!”

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For media inquiries, contact Jennifer Caddick at jcaddick@greatlakes.org.

At the Alliance for the Great Lakes Board of Directors meeting held on November 7, the board welcomed two new directors, re-elected a current director for a second term, and said farewell to two long-time directors. Additionally, the board elected several new officers and board chair Sue Conatser appointed a new Executive Committee member.

“Thank you to our current and past board members for their enthusiasm for our work and strong commitment to protect safe and clean water across the Great Lakes region,” said Joel Brammeier, President and CEO. “Without their leadership and guidance, our achievements would not be possible. I thank our Board of Directors for their time, counsel, and dedication to the Alliance and to the Great Lakes.”

Director Transitions, New Members Elected and Two Long-time Members Depart

The Alliance for the Great Lakes Board of Directors elected Laura Payne and Bill Henry to the board for a three-year term.

Laura Payne (Chicago, IL) is a Director in the Client and Partner Group at Citadel and has spent her entire career working in alternative investments in Chicago. Previously, Laura served as Vice President at Goldman Sachs, where she was responsible for managing the capital introductions and prime brokerage efforts in the central region. She began her professional career as an institutional investor at The University of Chicago Investment Office, followed by Glenwood Capital and The Pritzker Group. Ms. Payne received a master’s degree from The University of Chicago Booth School of Business and both a master’s and bachelor’s degree from Marquette University. Laura and her family have lived in Hyde Park for the past seventeen years and she has volunteered for a number of local groups, including serving on the Museum of Science and Industry’s President’s Council and Hyde Park School of Dance Advisory Committee. A passionate conservationist, Laura is hoping to raise awareness of core Alliance for the Great Lakes issues like water equity in Chicago.

Bill Henry (Lisle, IL) is principal at Amensal Systems, a provider of engineering and technical services to the food industry. Previously, Bill was COO and CFO of Affy Tapple for over 15 years where he successfully introduced many improvements in financial systems, factory automation and food safety, including a breakthrough probiotic treatment to enhance food safety without refrigeration. Before that, Bill was VP Finance for the US operations of CKD Corporation and the Colorado unit of PG&E. Bill has also served on the boards of directors for Signa Group, CKD Createc, and Bear Creek Water in Colorado. Bill is an avid if unaccomplished golfer and loves to zone out on long rides on his hybrid bike. He is a member of the International Association of Food Safety and the American Association for the Advancement of Science. He received a bachelor of science degree in systems engineering from the University of Illinois at Chicago and a master’s in finance and economics from the University of Chicago. Bill grew up in Chicago and spent his summers in Lake Michigan at a family getaway. His children, and their children, have become part of a multigenerational bond to this magnificent body of water. Bill hopes his participation in and support of the Alliance will help protect the lakes from the many threats they face.

The board also re-elected current director Quentin James (Cleveland, OH) to a second three-year term and appreciates Quentin’s ongoing commitment to the Alliance’s work.

The Alliance’s Board of Directors said farewell to two directors, Buzz Patterson and Frank Washelesky, who have reached their term limits. Frank served as board Treasurer for five years, helping the Alliance increase the sophistication of its financial operations in keeping with the growth of the Alliance’s budget and program demands. Buzz Patterson previously served two three-year terms and was term-limited before returning to the board in 2014 after a break. Now term-limited again, we recognize Buzz’s commitment as a member of the Nominating Committee and leadership as Treasurer during his first two terms on the board. The Alliance’s Board of Directors expresses deep gratitude to Frank and Buzz for their service.

New Officers and Executive Committee Members Selected

The Board elected current board members Vanessa Tey Iosue as Vice Chair for Policy and Susan McDermott as Treasurer. Sue Conatser was re-elected as Board Chair. Additionally, Jo-Elle Mogerman was appointed to the Board’s Executive Committee. The Board thanks each of them for their willingness to assume critical leadership roles.

Visit the Alliance for the Great Lakes Board of Directors page for a full list of members.

(Chicago, IL) Nov 8, 2020 – Engaging in the democratic process is one of the most powerful ways people throughout the Great Lakes region can have a voice. The Alliance for the Great Lakes congratulates President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris. Now that the votes have been counted, we must respect the vote and the work of election officials who have led a fair and transparent process.

President-elect Biden, in partnership with the Great Lakes region, has the opportunity to place safe and clean water at the center of our communities and make them healthier and more equitable than before.

We encourage President-elect Biden to work closely with Congress and Great Lakes leaders to invest in fixing our failing drinking water and wastewater infrastructure. These investments in clean water support getting people back to work, protect public health, and ready our communities for a changing climate – a win for everyone. He can also commit his administration to ensuring that basic federal clean water protections are vigorously supported and enforced, especially in communities that bear a disproportionate burden from pollution.

President-elect Biden has much work to do. A resurgence of COVID-19 and an economic crisis is affecting millions around the Great Lakes region and the nation. The pandemic is tragically highlighting the inequalities in our communities, and the intrinsic connection between clean water and health.

We look forward to working with President-elect Biden to create a Great Lakes region, and nation, with thriving, healthy ecosystems and communities.

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For media inquiries, contact Jennifer Caddick at jcaddick@greatlakes.org

Chicago, IL (November 4, 2020) – Alliance for the Great Lakes President & CEO Joel Brammeier released the following statement in reaction to yesterday’s election:

“Great Lakes voices count. And this election is not over until each vote has been tallied. 

All eyes are on the Great Lakes region as Wisconsin, Michigan, and Pennsylvania complete their vote counts. Engaging in the democratic process is one of the most powerful ways people throughout the Great Lakes region can have a voice on issues they care about. 

A slow election does not mean an inaccurate one. Every vote must be counted and election officials must take the time to ensure that election rules are applied fairly.”

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Media contact: Jennifer Caddick, jcaddick@greatlakes.org

(Chicago, IL) October 27, 2020 – Today a group of 15 environmental advocacy groups from around the country, led by the Alliance for the Great Lakes, is releasing a statement regarding the importance of protecting American democracy in advance of the November 3, 2020 presidential election.

While this election amid a global pandemic may be unlike any other the country has faced, this group of nonprofits stands firm to say that every eligible person should be able to vote safely and have their voice heard.

Their statement is as follows:

“Engaging in the democratic process by voting is one of the most powerful ways Americans can have a voice on issues they care about, including protecting our nation’s land, water and air. Democratic engagement, especially voting, is imperative to the success of equitable environmental policies.

Recent efforts to reduce voting access by purging voter rolls and enacting new identity verification rules have predominantly impacted voters of color. Important public health and safety measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 have led to fewer polling locations and long lines in some areas. This makes it more challenging for the elderly and for people who cannot afford to take hours, or even a full day, off work to vote. For those who want to vote via absentee or mail-in ballots, confusing and archaic rules may end up invalidating legitimate votes. And news reports from around the country show that threats of violence and intimidation of voters and poll workers are on the rise.

Our position this election season is clear: Everyone who is eligible to vote deserves the right to do so safely, free of barriers and intimidation. Anything less is unacceptable. We urge election officials and political leaders to ensure a fair and equitable elections process.”

Statement signatories:
Alliance for the Great Lakes
We the People of Detroit (Detroit)
River Network (Boulder, CO)
Junction Coalition (Toledo, OH)
Freshwater Future (Petoskey, MI)
Environmental Health Watch (Cleveland, OH)
Drink Local Drink Tap (Cleveland, OH)
Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park (Peninsula, OH)
Ohio Environmental Council (Columbus, OH)
Environmental Law & Policy Center (Chicago)
Genesee Valley Audubon Society (Rochester, NY)
Lakeshore Natural Resource Partnership (Cleveland, WI)
Milwaukee Water Commons (Milwaukee, WI)
League of Women Voters of Wisconsin(Madison, WI)
Religious Coalition for the Great Lakes

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For media inquiries, contact Jennifer Caddick, Alliance for the Great Lakes, at jcaddick@greatlakes.org. 

Voters like you can make sure that the Great Lakes and clean water are part of the election-year conversation.

In 2020, many federal, state, and local offices are on the ballot around the Great Lakes region. At the top of the ticket are the presidential candidates. Indiana has a gubernatorial election. Michigan, Minnesota, and Illinois have U.S. Senate seats on the ballot. All seats in the U.S. House of Representatives are up for election. And, numerous state and local offices are on the ballot.

Asking candidates for any office where they stand on Great Lakes issues raises awareness, highlights the issues, and allows us as constituents to hold elected officials accountable once they take office.

When you have the opportunity to connect with candidates for office, whether on social media or at a virtual candidate forum, you can ask important questions about their platforms and positions.

To get you started, here are five Great Lakes questions to ask candidates for elected office.

1. 1. What is your number one Great Lakes policy priority?
   2. What policies will you put in place to ensure Great Lakes communities have safe, clean, and affordable drinking water?
   3. If elected, what would you do in your first 100 days in office to protect the Great Lakes for people who live, work and play in the region and depend on them for drinking water?
   4. What will you do to increase much-needed funding for the Great Lakes region’s failing drinking and wastewater infrastructure and ensure that no one loses access to water and sewer services because of an inability to pay?
   5. How will you ensure that businesses, from industrial facilities to industrial agricultural, are held accountable for pollution flowing into our waterways?

Your questions will have the biggest impact when you incorporate your own story. Here are a few suggestions on how to make these questions your own:

• • Modify the questions by replacing “Great Lakes” with your home lake or waterway.
  • Share your personal experience with the lakes or clean drinking water. Telling your story can be powerful and can help to get attention for issues you care about.

To learn more about how you can get involved this election season, check out our toolkit: The 2020 Election Season and the Great Lakes. You’ll find background information key Great Lakes issues and the top five ways you can get involved.

The Alliance for the Great Lakes and the Election Season: Our Role
As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, the Alliance for the Great Lakes cannot support or oppose candidates or political parties. However, we can, and do, educate candidates and voters on Great Lakes issues.

Clean water issues are more important than ever. The COVID-19 crisis has shown us the critical importance of clean water to our personal health, and the health and safety of our families and our communities. 

Right now, we have an opportunity to encourage candidates to stand up for clean water and the  Great Lakes, and then hold them accountable once elected. 

Your voice and your vote matter this election season. Here are the top five ways you can get involved.  

#1: Vote 

Voting is the most important way for you to have a voice in how our elected officials protect our water.

But unfortunately, voting today is not as simple as just showing up to mark your ballot on election day. Some states have purged voter rolls and enacted new identity verification rules, which impact many people’s ability to vote. And COVID-19 health concerns may impact Election Day with fewer polling places available.

It’s important to make a voting plan to be sure your voice is heard on Election Day. Here are a few tips for how to create your plan:

• • Make sure you’re registered to vote. 
  • Check your polling location (and check it again).
  • Vote by mail or absentee ballot. 

Visit our Great Lakes Voter Information Center to check your registration, find your polling location, and learn about voting by mail or absentee ballot in your area. 

#2: Learn about the elected offices on the ballot

Elected officials set priorities that can lead to better protections for the lakes or leave them more vulnerable to pollution. They oversee agencies that implement clean water laws and regulations. And they make budget decisions that impact Great Lakes programs. 

In 2020, many federal, state, and local offices are on the ballot around the Great Lakes region. The presidential election is this year. Indiana has a gubernatorial election. Michigan, Minnesota, and Illinois have U.S. Senate seats on the ballot. And, all seats in the U.S. House of Representatives are up for election. 

While federal officials have significant influence on the health of the Great Lakes, your local mayor, city council members, and state house representatives can have enormous impact on local environmental issues. They oversee agencies that implement clean water laws and regulations, like those set by local environmental departments. And, agencies make budget decisions that impact your drinking water quality or your water bills. 

Check out our Great Lakes Voter Information Center to learn more about candidates on your ballot.

#3: Attend a (virtual) candidate forum

Candidate forums are an important way for you to get your issue on the agenda by asking questions about how the candidate plans to take action if elected.

The formats can vary, but they generally allow time for participants from the virtual audience to ask questions of the candidates. Some events ask for questions to be submitted ahead of time and sometimes questions can be asked right there on the spot. 

Here are three tips to help you find candidate forums and ask important questions of candidates in your area:

• Most candidate forums have been moved online. Check with groups like your local media outlets, civic organizations, and chambers of commerce that regularly organize these events and follow them on social media or sign up for their email lists to receive announcements.
• Know the format. Forums may be public or private, may accept questions only in advance, and may follow other specific guidelines. Check on the rules before you plan to attend so you know what to expect.
• Ask your question and make it personal. Make your question more impactful by sharing why it is personal to you and your community.

#4: Speak out on social media 

Voters like you can make sure that the Great Lakes and clean water are part of the election-year conversation. A great place to start is speaking out on social media.

Here are nine tips to get you started: 

• Use a #hashtag like #GreatLakes, #election2020, #vote, etc.  
• Tag candidates. Ask candidates questions directly by tagging them in your posts by using the @ sign with their campaign handle.  
• Be relevant. Use interesting facts, photos, or links. For example, link to a recent news article, or refer to current events in your community. 
• Keep it simple. It’s great to provide interesting information, but a social media post is not an encyclopedia entry. Get to the point quickly and clearly. 
• Make your ask. Your posts should make it clear what questions you’re asking and what action you want candidates to take. 
• Submit questions for interviews and candidate forums. Many news outlets will announce requests for question submissions via social media for an upcoming interview or candidate forum. 
• Share your participation in a candidate forum. If you plan to attend an event, share information about the event on social media or with friends and family. 

#5: Get Out the Vote

So, you’ve followed along, participated in events, asked questions, and stayed informed on important issues. Now what? It’s time to get out and VOTE!

Once you’ve made sure you’re registered and ready to vote, it’s equally important to make sure friends, family, and other members of your community are registered and ready, too.

Share our Great Lakes Voter Information Center with family, friends and your community. They can use the Center to check the status of their registration and find early voting information and polling locations. The Voter Center is bilingual, available in English and Spanish.

The Alliance for the Great Lakes and the Election Season: Our Role
As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, the Alliance for the Great Lakes cannot support or oppose candidates or political parties. However, we can, and do, educate candidates and voters on Great Lakes issues. 

Chicago, IL (July 31, 2020) – Earlier today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Defense, Commerce, Justice, Science, Energy and Water Development, Financial Services and General Government, Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development Appropriations Act, 2021. The bill includes provisions that would advance efforts to keep invasive Asian Carp from reaching the Great Lakes. Funding and language urging the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers to use the funds for the next phase of work at Brandon Road Lock and Dam (Preconstruction, Engineering and Design) is included in the bill.

Alliance for the Great Lakes Vice President for Policy Molly Flanagan released this statement in response:

“Today’s action shows Congress is serious about preventing invasive Asian Carp from reaching the Great Lakes. These harmful fish would damage our regional economy and devastate the Great Lakes ecosystem. Building additional protection measures at the Brandon Road Lock and Dam, which is located near Joliet, IL, and a critical choke point in the waterways leading to the Great Lakes, is the best chance to stop these aggressive fish. We look forward to quick action by the U.S. Senate.

We urge Illinois Governor Pritzker to immediately sign the Design Agreement that would allow the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to proceed to the next phase of the project—Preconstruction, Engineering and Design. Continued delay unnecessarily puts the Great Lakes at risk.”

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For media inquiries contact Jennifer Caddick, jcaddick@greatlakes.org.

Chicago, IL (July 29, 2020) – Alliance for the Great Lakes Vice President for Policy Molly Flanagan released this statement in response to the passage of the Water Resources Development Act of 2020 by the US House of Representatives:

“The Great Lakes region is one step closer to keeping invasive Asian Carp out of the lakes. These harmful fish would damage our regional economy and devastate the Great Lakes ecosystem. We applaud the US House of Representatives’ passage of the Water Resources Development Act of 2020, which includes authorization for construction of additional invasive Asian carp protections at the Brandon Road Lock and Dam near Joliet, Illinois. Today’s action shows Congress is serious about preventing invasive Asian carp from reaching the Great Lakes. We look forward to quick action by the US Senate.”

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For more media inquiries, contact Jennifer Caddick, jcaddick@greatlakes.org.

Chicago, IL (July 15, 2020) – Efforts to prevent invasive Asian carp from reaching the Great Lakes received support from two Congressional committees this week as two bills – Water Resources Development Act of 2020 and FY 2021 Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies appropriations bill – were advanced out of committee. They include project authorization and critical funding to stop invasive Asian carp from reaching the Great Lakes.

Invasive Asian carp would devastate the Great Lakes ecosystem and the region’s economy if they reach the lakes. Fortifying Brandon Road Lock and Dam in Joliet, a critical chokepoint for invasive Asian Carp about 50 miles downstream of Chicago, is the best chance to stop these aggressive fish from creeping closer to the Great Lakes.

Earlier today, the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee passed the Water Resources Development Act of 2020. It includes authorization for construction of the Brandon Road Lock and Dam project to stop the movement of invasive Asian carp into the Great Lakes. It also adjusts the cost share for construction to 80% federal funding and 20% non-federal funding so that the federal government picks up more of the expense of building this critical project.

On Monday, the House Appropriations Committee passed the fiscal year 2021 Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies bill. The bill includes funding and language urging the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers to use the funds for the next phase of work at Brandon Road Lock and Dam—Preconstruction, Engineering and Design. Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (D-OH) is Chairwoman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies.

Both bills now move to the full House of Representatives for consideration.

Alliance for the Great Lakes Vice President for Policy Molly Flanagan released this statement in response:

“Actions this week by the House Appropriations Committee and the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee show that Congress is serious about preventing invasive Asian carp from reaching the Great Lakes. We applaud Great Lakes Members of Congress on both committees for their commitment to protecting the Great Lakes. We look forward to quick action by the full House of Representatives on both bills.”

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For more media inquiries, contact Jennifer Caddick, jcaddick@greatlakes.org.

Joint Press Release from Alliance for the Great Lakes, Freshwater Future, Michigan Environmental Council, Ohio Environmental Council

Toledo, OH (July 9, 2020) – This morning the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and its partners released the 2020 Seasonal Forecast of Harmful Algal Blooms (HAB) for Lake Erie. NOAA predicted a bloom severity of 4.5 and could possibly range between 4 and 5.5. In 2015, the Governors of Ohio and Michigan, along with the Premier of Ontario, set a public goal of reducing nutrient pollution by 40% by 2025, with 2020 as a halfway interim goal of 20%. Today’s results show very plainly that little progress is being made, and we are very far off from achieving this goal. 

In response to today’s report, the Alliance for the Great Lakes, Freshwater Future, the Michigan Environmental Council, and the Ohio Environmental Council are calling on the Governors and the Premier to improve domestic action plans to provide a blueprint that the public can use to hold decision-makers accountable, not just a long list of best management practices. 

“Regardless of whether the severity is measured as a 6 or 7.5, when the algal blooms in western Lake Erie can be seen from space, it doesn’t take an expert to understand that this is becoming a crisis,” said Crystal M.C. Davis, Director of Policy and Strategic Engagement at the Alliance for the Great Lakes. “Efforts are not only falling short, we also don’t have a clear accounting of how or where we are in reaching the 20% reduction goal, or how we will get to the 40% reduction goal. Lists of best management practices are nice but leaders need to provide an accounting of progress and a plan of action so the public knows where things stand and how their money is being spent. The future of Lake Erie and our communities relies on it.”

Among the waterways in the Great Lakes region, western Lake Erie in particular has been plagued by an increase of HABs over the past decade. The toxins created by HABs pose serious health risks to humans and animals, the environment, and Lake Erie’s more than $15 billion economy that supports hundreds of thousands of jobs. Scientists believe that reducing the amount of runoff pollution will significantly reduce Lake Erie algal blooms and improve the lake’s health. Unfortunately, very few rules are currently in place to limit agricultural nutrient runoff, which remains the major contributor of HABs in Lake Erie.

HABs also threaten approximately 12 million people’s drinking water each year while also driving up water rates. This is of particular concern as the COVID-19 crisis deepens, and access to clean, safe, affordable water for drinking and hand-washing is more critical than ever. To make matters worse, the cost burden of HABs is often disproportionately placed on the rural and urban communities that sit at the bottom of these rivers and streams, and some have even experienced water shutoffs.

“Rural and urban communities’ drinking water rates are rising as a result of having to treat for harmful algal blooms,” said Kristy Meyer, Associate Director at Freshwater Future. “Rising water rates are causing people to have to make hard decisions between food on the table and tap water to drink and wash hands, something that is essential for public health. It is time community members impacted have a seat at the table to ensure comprehensive equitable solutions are being crafted as the region works to reduce harmful algal blooms in Lake Erie.”

“We understand that achieving the benchmarks is aspirational and difficult, but state leaders have clearly failed to meet the targets they voluntarily outlined years ago. We are especially concerned since the plans and strategies outlined  by state and provincial agencies double down on the same status quo methods that have led us to this point,” said Tom Zimnicki at the Michigan Environmental Council. “Moving forward state and provincial administrations owe it to residents and taxpayers to develop programs with real accountability and metrics to ensure water quality objectives are met. Otherwise, we will be writing this same statement in five years.”

“Harmful algal blooms continue to put Lake Erie and Ohio waterways at risk and threaten the quality and safety of our drinking water. We know that there is not one simple solution to address this critical, complex issue,” said Pete Bucher, Managing Director of Water Policy at the Ohio Environmental Council. “Ohio’s updated Domestic Action Plan and the H2Ohio program are important investments to improve Lake Erie water quality. We are committed to continuing to work with the DeWine administration and stakeholders to ensure these plans are sustainable, include accountability measures and involve diverse public engagement in order to achieve quantifiable water quality improvements.”  

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Media Contact: Jennifer Caddick, (312) 445-9760, jcaddick@greatlakes.org

The sounds of vibrant fireworks, smoky barbecues and patriotic parades make people across the nation excited about celebrating the 4th of July and our nation’s freedom from Great Britain’s rule. However for many African Americans, Juneteenth (June 19) is celebrated as Freedom Day.

On June 19, 1865, the Emancipation Proclamation, which had been issued over two years earlier on January 1, 1863, was read to enslaved African Americans in Texas who were among the last to learn of their freedom. In commemoration of that historic day, African Americans celebrate our freedom from the bondage of slavery and liberation as a people. Juneteenth is now getting attention like never before, precisely because it has never been clearer how far we have yet to go in the pursuit of true liberation.

The tragic incidents with George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery and Christian Cooper gave the world a glimpse of the fears, risks and struggles that people of color endure daily. These fears are front and center – even today over 150 years later – and are felt regardless of socioeconomic status. The story of Christian Cooper, the black bird watcher who was threatened by a white woman in Central Park, especially resonates with me. Not only am I an unapologetically black woman – I’m also a proud environmentalist.

I have built a career around my belief that black liberation and environmental justice are intimately tied together. I am inspired and motivated by the unique ways that communities of color practice sustainability – making full meals of food waste and passing clothes down from one generation to the next. Sustainability was a cultural practice way before it was cool.

For me, the racist threats against Christian Cooper underscored two American realities: that racial minorities are often unwelcome in white-dominated spaces, and the unspoken understanding that the “outdoors” are really only for white people in the first place.

This realization isn’t new to me. I know the feeling of sitting in big rooms of environmentalists where I’m the only person of color, getting cold stares when I mention racial equity. I’ve had external colleagues insinuate that I am valued more for my ability to provide diversity to experts rather than as an expert myself. It is isolating. It is frustrating. But it’s also inspiring. Inspiring because my team of water warrior sisters – my beloved black women colleagues – understand that we’re in this together and insist on lifting each other up. Inspiring because my kids deserve a different world than the one I inherited and I am determined to deliver it for them.

As a first generation college graduate from a working class family, I’m living my grandparents’ wildest dreams. Advocating for environmental justice is my passion and purpose. But fighting for change isn’t just the responsibility of people that look like me. We need everyone united in this movement for environmental and racial justice.

To my white colleagues: you’ve asked black and brown people to serve on your equity committees, to mentor you through authentic community engagement practices, and spend countless hours strategizing on ways to champion equity in environmental policies. We have obliged but now, right now, is your time to stand up and put actions behind thoughts and prayers. Equity should not be an afterthought.

For so many, the great outdoors is a symbol of freedom. On Juneteenth, Freedom Day, I am reminded that all are not free to share in nature’s gifts…free to bird watch, free to jog in their neighborhoods, free of worry about exorbitant bills for water that may or may not be safe to drink. And, I am reminded in my work each day that many are not free to enjoy the precious natural resources the Great Lakes offer. The Alliance for the Great Lakes’ leadership has designated Juneteenth as a paid annual holiday which will afford our staff the time to reflect and commit to advancing equity and justice. I’m grateful to work for an organization committed to using their privilege, voice and platforms to support marginalized communities. And, I also know that the work is not done.

As in years past, I will spend Juneteenth with family. We will dance to tunes created by our black musical legends, eat food that warms the soul, and dress the family in shirts that celebrate the pride of our people. While even being “okay” is tough these days, I still celebrate Juneteenth. I celebrate the resilience, ingenuity and brilliance of my people. I celebrate the opportunity to be a force in many movements fighting for change, understanding that they are all inextricably linked. I celebrate that the best is still yet to come.

Social, racial, and economic justice are inseparable from environmental justice. We cannot achieve our vision of a Great Lakes enjoyed by all when systemic racism, both blatant and covert, is allowed to permeate our society unchecked. We are outraged by the death of George Floyd, who was killed by a police officer in Minneapolis. We are outraged at the threats made against Christian Cooper, who was birding in Central Park in New York City. We are outraged by these patterns of violence and racism, and we stand in solidarity with the movement for black lives.

No one should have to fear for their health and safety when enjoying everything the Great Lakes have to offer – from hanging out with friends on a Chicago beach to drawing a glass of water from the tap at home to hiking a remote trail along Lake Superior. All too often, black, brown, and indigenous people cannot take these things for granted.

The Alliance for the Great Lakes, as a white-led organization, has work to do to address racial equity in our work, internally and externally. We have started this work – as individuals, as an organization, and in our communities – but we know that we have a long way to go.

To all who are protesting and those who are hurting, we hear you, we see you, and we stand with you. We are committed to fighting for social, racial and environmental justice in the communities where we live, work, and play.

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Joint Press Release from Alliance for the Great Lakes, Freshwater Future, and Ohio Environmental Council Action Fund

May 14, 2020 (Columbus, OH) – On Thursday, Representative Erica Crawley (D-Columbus) introduced legislation that will ensure clean, safe, affordable water for everyone in Ohio. 

Nationwide, more than a third of all households will not be able to pay their water bill by the end of 2022 according to a report out of Michigan State University. A report on water and sewer affordability in Ohio found that in nearly 80 percent of Ohio communities, a month of basic water and sewer service requires more than eight hours of labor at minimum wage. The Ohio report found that water costs are disproportionately felt in communities of color which have been redlined and disinvested in for decades and in rural communities with a small rate base.  

“Freshwater Future applauds Representative Crawley for her leadership to ensure everyone has access to clean, safe, and affordable water,” said Kristy Meyer, Associate Director at Freshwater Future. “As water rates and economic inequality rise, many Ohioans are losing access to water, a basic human need. Hard decisions are being made between rent, food, medical care, electricity and water- the necessities for life. Without clean, safe water flowing into homes, people cannot wash their hands and keep good hygiene, leading to public health issues that also impact our economy.” 

In 2016, more than 15 million Americans, or 1 out of every 20 households, had their water shut off due to being unable to pay their water bill. Thousands across the state last year had to make the hard decision between putting food on the table and paying their water bill. When water is cut off to a house, a parent could lose custody of their child due to perceived neglect. Kids going to school with poor hygiene have reported being bullied, which can lead to grades slipping. 

“Families should not have to choose between paying their water and sewer bills and putting food on the table,” said Alliance for the Great Lakes Director of Policy and Strategic Engagement Crystal M.C. Davis. “In a water-rich state located along Lake Erie, it is unacceptable that people around Ohio cannot afford clean, safe drinking water in their homes. The Alliance for the Great Lakes applauds Representative Crawley for introducing legislation to address water affordability in Ohio.” 

“The coronavirus pandemic has shown us how fragile water security is for many Ohioans. As water rates have risen steeply in recent years, vulnerable Ohioans have been affected the most. All Ohioans should have access to clean, safe drinking water regardless of where they live or how much money they make,” said Melanie Houston, Drinking Water Director for the Ohio Environmental Council (OEC) Action Fund. “We thank Representative Crawley for introducing this legislation and look forward to continuing to work with her to ensure clean, safe water is available to all Ohio families.”

The legislation specifically:

• Bans water shutoffs for nonpayment;
• Requires public water utilities to create a water affordability program based on available income of the household;
• Requires public water utilities to develop an emergency water assistance program for people who cannot afford to pay their water bill when they fall on hard times;
• Provides an opportunity for debt forgiveness for Ohioans who are diligently working to pay down water debt for 2 years; and
• Allows water utilities to use funds generated from rate-payers to create customer assistance programs. 

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About the Alliance for the Great Lakes: The Alliance for the Great Lakes is a nonpartisan nonprofit working across the region to protect our most precious resource: the fresh, clean and natural waters of the Great Lakes. Learn more at www.greatlakes.org.

About Freshwater Future: Freshwater Future builds a strong and effective environmental community working to protect and restore the waters of the Great Lakes by involving residents in civic decision-making. 

About Ohio Environmental Council (OEC) Action Fund: The OEC Action Fund is committed to protecting and enhancing the environment and the health of all Ohio communities. We will continue to fight for Ohio’s access to clean water, healthy air, vibrant public lands and a strong democracy. Learn more at www.theoecactionfund.org/. 

Media Contacts: 

Jennifer Caddick, Alliance for the Great Lakes at jcaddick@greatlakes.org or 312-445-9760 

Kristy Meyer, Freshwater Future at Kristy@FreshwaterFuture.org  or 614-638-8948

Emily Bacha, Ohio Environmental Council Action Fund at ebacha@theoec.org or 216-533-8637

March 13, 2020 (Cleveland, OH) – As communities around the Great Lakes region respond to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, cities and other government entities have take action to halt water shut-offs and restore residential water service.

In response, Alliance for the Great Lakes Director of Policy and Strategic Engagement Crystal M.C. Davis issued the following statement:

“The Alliance for the Great Lakes commends the cities of Cleveland, Detroit, and Toledo for ordering moratoriums on water shut-offs and restoration of residential water services during this crisis.

We also applaud Ohio Governor DeWine for directing utilities under the Public Utility Commission of Ohio’s (PUCO) jurisdiction to review shutoff policies and other practices. We urge the PUCO to act quickly to create these protections against the spread of the virus.

The deepening COVID-19 crisis reminds us of the intrinsic connection between water and public health – especially for those in our community who are homebound. This crisis is going to take a commitment to addressing this issue at all levels of government, and the Alliance is ready to work with any state or local officials looking for guidance in this critical area.

We must do all we can at this moment to keep ourselves, our families, and our communities safe, and these shut-off moratoriums do just that.”

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Media Contact: Jennifer Caddick, jcaddick@greatlakes.org, (312) 445-9760

Cleveland, OH (February 13, 2020) – Earlier today, Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released the draft 2020 water quality report required by the Clean Water Act. In it, the agency announced its plans to develop a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) for the western basin of Lake Erie. Western Lake Erie is plagued annually by harmful algal blooms, threatening the lake’s ecosystem and human health. A TMDL is essentially a pollution diet, setting forth a plan to reduce the pollutants that cause the lake’s harmful algal blooms.

In response to Ohio EPA’s announcement, Alliance for the Great Lakes Director of Policy and Strategic Engagement Crystal M.C. Davis release the following statement:

“We applaud today’s announcement by Ohio EPA that it will develop a Clean Water Act TMDL for western Lake Erie. The Alliance for the Great Lakes, along with thousands of concerned Ohioans, have called for the development of a TMDL for the past several years. A TMDL for western Lake Erie will provide the state with another tool to reduce the pollution causing the lake’s harmful algal blooms that threaten human health and the environment.

A TMDL, coupled with a $172 million investment through the new H2Ohio program, is building a strong strategy for preventing harmful algal blooms in western Lake Erie. We need every tool available to solve this problem.

Today’s announcement is just the beginning of the process. We will be paying close attention to the details as the TMDL is developed to ensure it is a strong tool for protecting Lake Erie.”

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Media contact: Jennifer Caddick, (312) 445-9760, jcaddick@greatlakes.org