HUD accuses city of Chicago of environmental racism by moving polluters to Black, Latino neighborhoods

The federal investigation was sparked by a complaint from community organizers who challenged City Hall’s role in the planned relocation of the General Iron metal-shredding business from mostly white Lincoln Park to a majority-Latino Southeast Side community surrounded by Black neighborhoods. Here, a protester attended a November 2020 rally demanding Mayor Lori Lightfoot deny a permit to allow General Iron to move from Lincoln Park to the Southeast Side. (Pat Nabong / Sun-Times file)

The city of Chicago is violating the civil rights of its residents by relocating polluting businesses from white communities into Black and Latino areas that already are overwhelmed with environmental and health issues, federal officials have found after a nearly two-year investigation.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development is demanding that Chicago change its unlawful planning, zoning and land-use policies so they don’t discriminate against communities of color, according to a letter HUD sent to the city.