April 25, 2019 Jeimar Neiza 2418 S Kedzie, Chicago, IL 60623 773- 556-3644 jneiza@gcelabschool.org George Cardenas Alderman 3476 S. Archer Chicago, IL 60608 Dear Mr. Cadenas I am writing to you on an urgency that plagues myself and Chicago as the city grows over time. My family has worked in little Village for 20 years and helped multiple business around our community. Yet the grievance of the community is around the natural beauty that surrounds our parks and wildlife. Even though Chicago has improved with the original policy on the “Bird Friendly Ordinance,” I wish you would consider the new chapters of this ordinance which focus on new building construction/substantial renovations to reduce bird mortality from circumstances such as “bird hazards”. This includes buildings which are three stories or higher in the future tense that are located in migratory bird paths, landscapes, or bird habitats. The focus on these structures (required by this policy) are interior lighting, exterior lighting, and glass that has “reflectance of surface” . In short, new buildings in Chicago to now have “bird safety” requirements near wildlife. A recent study by The Cornell Lab of Ornithology reports 600 million birds are dying from course collision by buildings/skyscrapers each year thanks to lighting, glass, and many more materials built into these structure. The Mississippi Flyway is a migration pattern that passes through Chicago every year and is the reason why ⅔ wildlife gets hurt and ultimately dies in Chicago. There were also studies that showed this situation not only affecting illinois wildlife but also the environments outside Chicago. Examples include the Yellow Bellied Sap Sucker and the Connecticut Warbler which are both crucial for the ecosystem of multiple landscapes different to Chicago. As a citizen of Illinois, I have found joy in the vast and diverse wildlife in the state. It is the reason why I volunteer at the Forest Preserve and why I advocate for the natural world. However, I know that these birds have a higher significance to Little Village attendants since most of the migratory birds have gone to Mexico or South America. My father would talk about the wonders of the wildlife from his home country and how it left an impact on him as a child. But to imagine a large proportion of wildlife disappear because of a city halfway across the world would destroy the beauty those stories tell. As stated, I do believe the new chapters of the ordinance will lower the mortality rate of birds in the city. However, I understand there is already comfort with the old chapters for some
citizens of Chicago as well as strong programs that deal with the bird mortality rate. The “Lights Out” program in Chicago has done wonderful achievements when it comes to enforcing buildings to turn off lights or the “11pm” policy for the program. Their track record has shown 90% of buildings in the Chicago downtown area have turned off lights and therefore lowered the death rate of birds. My belief is that the new chapters will expand this help. Thousands of birds are still dying and it’s because of limits the occupants have on the building itself and what materials are already built within (ie, glass, lightbulbs, etc) . If newer three story (or higher) structures already prevent deaths of birds within the blueprints, then there could be a lower rate of bird mortality in the city. These new chapters will not fix older buildings nor will the result be immediate. But if we wish to preserve a national treasure, we must take precautions before the problem worsens. I believe the new chapter will not only extend the safety of wildlife, but also enrich the communities of Chicago both in and out of the forest.
Jeimar Neiza