Dear friends,

Over the past eight years, 350 Chicago was primarily focused on divesting the city of Chicago from fossil fuel assets. And after a lot of work and effort….

We did it! We won!

In March 2022, the Chicago City Council voted unanimously to pass the fossil fuel divestment ordinance and Mayor Lori Lightfoot signed it into law.

Many people have asked how we did this, and the short answer is: YOU! Or rather, all of us, together.

During our winning campaign, we:

• Met with nearly every alderman and alderwoman on the city council to discuss the moral and financial reasons for divestment.

• Advocated for the fiscal case for fossil fuel divestment to two different Chicago City Treasurers, providing convincing evidence for divesting.

• Tabled at events throughout the City, including festivals, farmers markets, green business conventions, political and environmental events, wildlife preservation conferences, and many more–to raise awareness.

• Asked Chicagoans to sign postcards and petitions at El stops, bus stations, festivals of all types, conventions, and protests.

• Presented or spoke about divestment at town halls, in college classes, during webinars, at protests, at high schools, and at countless other events.

• Co-organized or participated in numerous actions and marches, including the Rise for Climate, Jobs, and Justice, the People's Climate March, BP Protest in Whiting IN, and the Fed UP and Global Climate Strike marches in downtown Chicago. We even hung our divestment banner over the overpass near Comiskey park as our very first act in 2015.

• Hosted monthly meetings to educate Chicagoans on issues related to divestment and climate change, environmental justice in Chicago, and other environmental issues. Guest speakers and organizations included Rising Tide, Sierra Club, Sunrise Movement, Neighbors for Environmental Justice, the Illinois Environmental Council, and many more.

We couldn’t have done any of this advocacy work without our volunteers and supporters. Your backing has provided us with the courage to persist and persevere. We are so grateful to have you on our side.

With gratitude,

350 Chicago