By: Ashmar Mandou

In honor of Earth Month, City officials alongside community partners are celebrating the completion of Chicago’s newest Library Solar Project, located at the Toman library branch bringing clean energy to the Little Village neighborhood.

“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. Since its founding in 1994, LVEJO has been a powerful voice in the fight for environmental justice in Chicago. The organization plays a pivotal role in shaping City environmental policy through its work with the Chicago Departments of Environment (DOE) and other organizations on the Hazel Johnson Cumulative Impacts Ordinance.

During the celebration, members of LVEJO joined Alderman Michael Rodriguez (22nd), members of DOE, and Fleet and Facility Management (2FM), the Chicago Public Library, and Mayor Brandon Johnson to unveil the latest solar project. 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.

“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.” According to City of Chicago, the new solar installation is 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.

“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,” said Library Commissioner Chris Brown.