Contact:

• Kathleen O’Shea / 312.742.3104 / kathleen.o’shea@cityofchicago.org

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CHICAGO - The Chicago Department of Environment (DOE) announced today the release of a Request for Proposals (RFP) for a Citywide Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI) Strategy. The new strategy, which will update and expand on a previous 2014 strategy, will provide critical support to ensure community climate resilience for all of Chicago’s 77 communities.

The release of the RFP demonstrates the City of Chicago’s commitment to updating the strategy for the first time since 2014, a commitment that was memorialized in the Department of Water Management’s National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit. The permit, effective April 1, 2024, regulates City-owned combined sewer overflows (CSOs) that discharge into Chicago waterways during extreme weather events.

Chicago faces significant challenges with CSOs due to its aging infrastructure and increased rainfall from climate change. The city's sewer system, which combines stormwater and wastewater into a single network, can become overwhelmed during heavy rain events. This leads to untreated sewage being discharged into local waterways, which poses risks to water quality, public health, and the environment. The increase in extreme weather patterns, including more intense and frequent storms, exacerbates this problem. The resulting impacts of this problem disproportionately impact vulnerable communities.

“Today, I am proud to announce the release of the RFP for Chicago’s 2025 Green Stormwater Infrastructure Strategy — an essential step toward building climate resilience and equity for all of our communities,” said Mayor Brandon Johnson. “As we face increasing challenges from climate change, we must prioritize solutions that protect both our people and our environment. By focusing on equity, we are ensuring that every Chicagoan — especially those most impacted by climate change and who stand to benefit most from new green infrastructure investments — can thrive in a more resilient and sustainable future."

Addressing CSOs requires innovative green stormwater infrastructure to reduce the burden on the city's sewer system and protect both people and the environment. By using green and natural infrastructure solutions, the new strategy will address critical needs such as:

1. Maximizing public access to greenspace;
2. Buffering against flooding and protecting from infrastructure damage;
3. Coordinating with other water infrastructure improvements, including lead service line replacement;
4. And setting discharge limits for CSOs, along with monitoring and reporting requirements, to ensure the safety of Chicago’s waterways.

With the new GSI Strategy, the City aims to focus on Environmental Justice (EJ) communities that face the highest rates of flooding and pollution concerns. Consultants who have experience in GSI and a demonstrated commitment to equity and community engagement will be responsible for delivering the new GSI strategy by October 1, 2025.

“The Department of Environment is dedicated to collaborating across departments and communities to find tangible, equitable, and nature-based solutions,” said Angela Tovar, Chicago’s Chief Sustainability Officer and DOE Commissioner. “By creating a coordinated plan that utilizes natural systems such as permeable pavement, green roofs, and bioswales for stormwater management, we can alleviate the pressure on traditional sewer systems, mitigate urban flooding, enhance water quality in local waterways, and create green spaces that improve air quality while providing residents with cooler, more livable neighborhoods.”

Those interested in responding to the request for proposals or seeking more information on proposal requirements and an upcoming pre-proposal conference should visit https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/progs/env/RFP_StormwaterStrategy.html.

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