On Wednesday, a coalition of Aldermen, led by Proco Joe Moreno introduced a resolution encouraging President Obama and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to fully employ and enforce the Clean Air Act to reduce harmful pollution in Chicago and throughout the country. Aldermen Beale, Maldonado, Reboyras, Colon, Sposato, Cappleman, Osterman, Moore and Silverstein are co-sponsors of this Resolution.

The resolution comes on the heels of news that Chicago’s heavy-polluting Fisk and Crawford power plants will shut down earlier than scheduled as a result of community pressure, and the release of the American Lung Association’s State of the Air report, which gave Cook County an F grade, proving that Chicagoans continue to breathe some of the dirtiest air in the country.

The Clean Air Act protects public health by reducing harmful pollution, soot, and air toxins, and gives the EPA the ability to clean up the air. Sixty-nine percent of Americans believe EPA scientists – not Congress – should set health standards. In 2010, the Clean Air Act prevented 160,000 premature deaths; 1.7 million instances of asthma exacerbation; 41,000 respiratory hospital admissions; and 45,000 cardiovascular hospital admissions. New and improved regulations are expected to save even more.

Chicago would be the largest city in the country to pass a Clean Air Act resolution. Similar legislation has been passed in fourteen cities nationwide, including Seattle, Wash.; Milwaukee, Wis.; Tucson, Ariz.; Minneapolis, Minn.; and Pittsburgh, Penn.