On July 23, the Chicago City Council’s Committee on Environmental Protection and Energy, chaired by Maria Hadden and crew (click the link!), held a hearing on bird-friendly building design. Yay! There was a panel of distinguished speakers which included Jeanne Gang, Bryan Lenz, Annette Prince (our secretary) and others, and about 40 supporters of a mandatory ordinance in the audience. The following committee members were present: Maria Hadden (49), Julia Ramirez (12), Byron Sigcho-Lopez (25), Ruth Cruz (30), Rossana Rodriguez-Sanchez (33), William Conway(34), Bennet Lawson (44), Matthew Martin (47), Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth (48). Remote participation: Timothy Knudsen (43); Non-members present: Chris Taliaferro (29)

It was a very hopeful meeting. Thank you to everyone who sent or gave a comment - 82 comments were received. You were great!

“We should have a bird-friendly ordinance that goes further and we’re going to work toward that,” Ald. Maria Hadden said at the end of the hearing.

Many words have already been written about it, so we’ll just link them.

Patty Wetli did a comprehensive story for WTTW and gave a great summary on Chicago Tonight. Fox 32 News, Chicago Tribune, CBS News, also did great storiesClick

Click here for a recording of the hearing.

Fingers crossed, this time we’ll get a good ordinance.