Industrial Pollution, Employment, and Latino Communities in Chicago

Introduction

Author: Saharay Lopez

Department: UIC Institute for Policy and Civic Engagement (IPCE)

Advisor: Dr. Joseph K. Hoereth, IPCE

Abstract: Polluting industries in the Chicagoland area often claim that they bring job opportunities and economic growth to nearby communities. This research examines whether these job creation promises actually provide stable employment for Latino communities in Chicago or if they are mainly used to justify environmental harm. The study uses a literature review to evaluate environmental justice scholarship by looking at employment patterns and hiring practices linked to industrial facilities located near predominantly Latino neighborhoods from 1984 to 2025. The scope of this research focuses on Chicago’s industrial corridors and pollution-intensive industries, drawing on census data, government reports, and legal research. Across the sources reviewed, findings show that while many polluting industries are located in Latino neighborhoods, the jobs they create are often low-paying, unstable, and filled by workers who live outside the community. Latino residents experience increased exposure to pollution and health risks but receive limited economic benefits in return. The research also finds that job creation claims are frequently exaggerated and lack enforcement through policies or agreements that would ensure local hiring or long-term employment. One limitation of this research is that it relies largely on secondary and aggregate data, so while it shows clear patterns of environmental inequality and uneven job access, it cannot fully prove direct cause-and-effect at the individual facility or neighborhood-resident level in Chicago. These findings suggest that employment promises are often used to support industrial development despite ongoing environmental and social harm. This study highlights the need for stronger accountability measures, such as enforceable community benefits agreements, clearer local hiring practices, and zoning reforms that prioritize community health. In Illinois, this should include enforceable First Source and Priority Local Hiring requirements for industrial projects receiving public support or permits, helping advance environmental justice by ensuring economic development produces measurable benefits for nearby Latino communities.

Keywords: Environmental Justice, Environmental Racism, Cumulative Environmental Impact, Community Benefits Agreement (CBA), Industrial Corridor, Sacrifice Zones