Broadview-backed Climate Group Wins Share of $745,000 Grant

(Broadview, IL) – The U.S. Conference of Mayors and the American Beverage Foundation for a Healthy America on January 19 announced $745,000 in grants to nine cities

who were winners of the 2023 Childhood Obesity Prevention & Environmental Health and Sustainability Awards, including first-place winner the Village of Oak Park, whose environmental initiative includes the Village of Broadview and the Village of River Forest as official partners.

The grants, which were awarded during the mayors 91st Winter Meeting, aim to support programs that address childhood obesity, environmental health, and sustainability by encouraging community members to engage in healthier behaviors.

The Cross Community Climate Collaborative, or C4, is a partnership between 15 west suburban Cook County communities, including Broadview, and several local nonprofits that have committed to work together to address the climate crisis and achieve equity and sustainability outcomes, according to Broadview Mayor Katrina Thompson.

“Last summer, Broadview was among 15 west suburban Cook County communities to sign an agreement with the Cross Community Climate Collaborative, championed by Oak Park Mayor “Vicki Scaman, River Forest Mayor Cathy Adduci, and myself, pledging to cut greenhouse gas emissions 45% by 2030 from 2010 levels and 100% reductions by 2050 within our towns,” said Thompson.

“The award is recognition that the looming climate calamity is a threat to minority and non-minority communities alike, but that with bold, collective, and science-informed leadership we can convert the climate threat into an opportunity to transform economically our communities," Thompson added.

The west suburban collaborative aims to address the climate crisis and achieve equity and sustainability outcomes, with a specific focus on engaging and supporting Black, Indigenous, and other people of color, and other under-resourced communities, according to Thompson.

“The municipalities are seeking to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to create jobs for low-to-moderate income residents,” said Thompson. “The job creation will come from enhancing solar energy access in the residential commercial, municipal, and institutional sectors of our communities.”

C4’s share of the $745,000 award will help fund the group’s efforts.

davidormsby@davidormsby.com