Chicago Residents - Action Opportunity

Chicago Residents! We’re trying again! Third time’s the charm??

We had a great victory with McCormick Place …. but what about all those other bird killing buildings? The only thing stopping a new building from killing birds is some voluntary guidance - which too many buildings ignore. In fact, in the past year, 5 guaranteed bird-killers have gone before the plan commission and none of them have followed the voluntary guidance. We’re still fighting for mandatory guidelines like they have in New York, Skokie, Evanston, etc., etc.

There are two opportunities for action -

  1. Call your alderman, tell them about the hearing, and that you hope they will attend and learn about this important issue, and

  2. Attend the hearing yourself - maybe in your best bird outfit?

Wednesday, July 23, 2025, at 10 am in the Chicago City Council chambers. Let us know you’re coming! And let’s pack the place!!

Here’s our press release:

BIRD FRIENDLY CHICAGO continues to move forward in our pursuit of migratory bird protection, seeking that bird safety measures be required in the design and materials used in the construction of new buildings.

We announce our participation in an important hearing, held by the City Council’s Committee on Environmental Protection and Energy, on the need for high standards of bird-friendly design requirements in new building construction in Chicago.  This hearing will take place on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, at 10 am in the Chicago City Council chambers, and will be chaired by Alderwoman Maria Hadden.

Bird Friendly Chicago, along with national and regional bird experts and advocates will make the case for the urgent need to implement a bird-friendly building design ordinance in the city of Chicago. These mandated measures have already been enacted in cities such as in New York, San Francisco and Toronto and in surrounding communities including Skokie and Evanston, IL, where they are found to be achievable, economically viable and effective in significantly reducing bird mortality.

These critically important requirements sought by Bird Friendly Chicago will prevent thousands of bird deaths in Chicago that will occur when native and migratory birds fatally collide with glass windows at these new buildings.  The birds that live in and visit our city are amazing, valuable and irreplaceable parts of the healthy environment that we all need and must protect.

ABOUT BIRD FRIENDLY CHICAGO

 BIRD FRIENDLY CHICAGO is an alliance of organizations: Chicago Bird Alliance, Chicago Ornithological Society, Chicago Bird Collision Monitors and Feminist Bird Club. Our mission is to promote a safer urban landscape for birds through improved features that make buildings safer, including improved lighting, landscaping and glass features of buildings.