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Chicago: Mayor Brandon Johnson Celebrates Earth Day with Unveiling of Third Library Solar Project

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CHICAGO — Mayor Brandon Johnson today joined Ald. Michael Rodriguez (22nd), the Chicago Departments of Environment (DOE) and Fleet & Facility Management (2FM), the Chicago Public Library (CPL), and community partners to celebrate the completion of the City's newest Library Solar project, located at the Toman library branch in the Little Village neighborhood.

"I am proud to celebrate Earth Day in Little Village by connecting the solar panels here at the Toman library branch," said Mayor Brandon Johnson. "The addition of solar panels and energy-efficiency upgrades at the Toman branch brings the health benefits of clean energy accessible to the entire Little Village community. As we mark Earth Day, my administration is reaffirming our continued commitment to combatting the effects of climate change through investments that help make our city safer and healthier for every Chicagoan."

The new Library Solar project is the third to be completed by the City, following the completion of projects at the Humboldt Park and South Chicago branches in Summer 2025. Each Library Solar project consists of a rooftop solar installation and a full energy retrofit, including lighting upgrades and HVAC replacement, to help maximize energy efficiency. A fourth Library Solar project is currently in progress at the West Lawn branch, with an expected completion date this summer.

Library Solar is one of the key efforts of Chi100, the City's initiative to equitably expand clean energy across Chicago. Through the initiative, the City aims to make all electricity consumed in Chicago clean and renewable. The initiative's first crucial milestone was the transition of City streetlights and the City's 400+ buildings to 100% renewable energy, completed in January 2025.

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"Bringing solar energy into Chicago's neighborhoods is more than just an environmental effort—it's an equity milestone," said Angela Tovar, Chicago's Chief Sustainability Officer and DOE Commissioner. "For too long, Little Village and other Black and Brown neighborhoods have shouldered the cumulative burden of pollution. With Chi100 and all City environmental initiatives, we aim to address that burden through an approach that safeguards communities from harm while providing resources to help strengthen community resilience."

The new solar installation and the accompanying building retrofit are expected to bring a variety of benefits to the Toman branch, including:
  • 22.9% total energy reduction;
  • 43% of all electricity consumption will be offset by solar energy;
  • 43.7% overall reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions—the equivalent of removing 12 vehicles from the road annually.;
  • Increased comfort for library staff and patrons;
  • Operational cost savings.

"We are proud to help make Toman and other library branches more efficient, sustainable neighborhood hubs for all to enjoy," said 2FM Commissioner Julie Hernandez-Tomlin. "We look forward to continuing to work with DOE and other partners to identify more opportunities to grow clean energy generation and support neighborhoods across the city."

As the City works to add new sources of clean energy across Chicago, a major focus has been the building of climate resilience in historically underinvested community areas. Given the important role that libraries play as community gathering spaces and disseminators of information, the City first prioritized neighborhood libraries for implementation of onsite renewable energy generation.

With these upgrades, the City aims to enrich these critical neighborhood spaces and increase access to the benefits of clean energy, while reducing energy consumption in public buildings.

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"Libraries sit at the center of our neighborhoods, and this investment ensures they continue to serve as strong, sustainable spaces for learning and connection," said Library Commissioner Chris Brown. "At Toman Branch, we are reducing our environmental impact while creating a more comfortable, resilient space for the Little Village community. This is what it looks like to align climate action with everyday public service."

At today's event, the City was joined by the Little Village Environmental Justice Organization (LVEJO). Since its founding in 1994, LVEJO has been a powerful voice in the fight for environmental justice in Chicago. The organization continues to play a crucial role in shaping City environmental policy through its work with DOE and other organizations on the Hazel Johnson Cumulative Impacts Ordinance.

"The Little Village Environmental Justice Organization (LVEJO) is excited to welcome this important step towards building decarbonization in Little Village," said Melanie Minuche, Senior Policy Analyst at the Little Village Environmental Justice Organization. "Libraries like Toman play a crucial role in the neighborhood's ecosystem of resources, from serving as a cooling center in the summer to hosting community meetings where we can convene to talk about local issues. LVEJO hopes the city will continue investing in Little Village through these types of initiatives, ensuring that improvements to the neighborhood prioritize the health, safety, and well-being of community members."

Today's milestone also speaks to the successful efforts to strengthen the City's environmental functions by centralizing them within the Department of Environment. Since the Johnson administration reestablished DOE in 2024, the Department has led—in partnership with other departments, organizations, and community members—a number of initiatives focused on increasing access to clean energy, helping small businesses and nonprofits adapt to climate change, and protecting vulnerable communities from pollution.

To learn more about Chi100, please visit chicago.gov/chi100

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