COOK COUNTY, IL – The American Lung Association’s 13th annual State of the Air 2012 report grades cities and counties based on the number of days of high ozone (smog) and particle pollution (soot). Cook County’s particle pollution and ozone grades remained the same this year, (“F’s”) but the county saw five fewer unhealthy days of ozone pollution and eight fewer days of particle pollution over the 2011 report. Although Chicago’s air quality improved, the area ranked 18th in the nation this year for “most polluted” city.

With more than 700,000 people in the county with lung disease, clean air is especially important for this susceptible population.

“Someone in everyone’s family is at risk from air pollution,” explains Harold Wimmer, President & CEO of the American Lung Association in Illinois. “People hurt by air pollution range from newborn babies whose lives are cut short, to grandparents who suffer heart attacks, to healthy, exercising adults whose lung function is reduced.”

This year’s report details the national trend that standards set under the Clean Air Act to clean up major air pollution sources—including coal-fired power plants, diesel engines, and SUVs—are working to drastically cut ozone and particle pollution from the air we breathe. Despite these improvements, America’s air quality standards are outdated, putting the health of millions of Americans at stake.

Individuals can do their part to protect our air by driving less, walking, biking, carpooling or using public transit. They can use less electricity by turning off the lights when they’re not in the room, refraining from burning wood or trash and encouraging their local school systems to use clean school buses. They can also join our Healthy Air Campaign and tell Congress why clean air is important to them by visiting www.fightingforair.org.

More than 127 million people are living in counties with dangerous levels of either ozone or particle pollution that can cause wheezing and coughing, asthma attacks, heart attacks and premature death. Those at greatest risk from air pollution include infants, children, older adults, anyone with lung disease like asthma, people with heart disease or diabetes, people with low incomes and anyone who works or exercises outdoors.

Editors’ Note: Trend charts and rankings for metropolitan areas and county grades are available at www.stateoftheair.org. Report card graphic comparing five Greater Chicago counties’ grades follows this press release.

About the American Lung Association in Illinois

Our mission is to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease. With your generous support, the American Lung Association is “Fighting for Air” through research, education and advocacy. For more information about the American Lung Association or to support the work it does, call 1-800-LUNG-USA (1-800-586-4872) or visit www.lungil.org.

The bipartisan survey, conducted by Democratic polling firm Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research and Republican firm Perception Insight, finds that nearly three-quarters of likely voters (73 percent) nationwide support the view that it is possible to protect public health through stronger air quality standards while achieving a healthy economy, over the notion that we must choose between public health or a strong economy. This overwhelming support includes 78 percent of independents, 60 percent of Republicans and 62 percent of conservatives, as well as significant support in Maine, Pennsylvania and Ohio.

The Obama Administration will soon release updated clean air standards for carbon pollution emitted by power plants, and a substantial majority of voters support the EPA implementing these standards, even after hearing opposing arguments that stricter standards will damage the economic recovery.  Initially, 72 percent of voters nationwide support the new protections on carbon emissions from power plants, including overwhelming majorities of both Democrats and independents and a majority of Republicans.

After listening to a balanced debate with messages both for and against setting new carbon standards, support still remained robust with a near 2-to-1 margin (63 percent in favor and 33 percent opposed). Support remained especially robust in Maine and Pennsylvania (64 percent in each state). The majority of Ohio voters (52 percent) also favored new carbon standards, which is notable since the poll was conducted during a period of heavy media attention concerning statewide electricity rate increases and potential power plant shutdowns.

“This bipartisan poll affirms that clean air protections have broad support across the political spectrum,” said Peter Iwanowicz, Assistant Vice President, National Policy and Advocacy with the American Lung Association. “Big polluters and their allies in Congress cannot ignore the facts; more air pollution means more childhood asthma attacks, more illness and more people dying prematurely. It’s time polluters and their Congressional allies drop their attempts to weaken, block or delay clean air protections and listen to the public who overwhelmingly wants the EPA to do more to protect the air we breathe.”

Voters also voiced strong support for stricter standards to control industrial and power sector mercury and toxic air pollution. When asked about setting stricter limits on the amount of mercury that power plants and other facilities emit, 78 percent of likely voters were in favor of the EPA updating these standards.

Strong support was also seen for stricter standards on industrial boilers. Initially, 69 percent of voters supported the EPA implementing stricter standards on boiler emissions. After hearing messaging from both sides of the issue, voters continued to support these standards by nearly a 20-point margin (56 percent favor, 37 percent oppose).

Key poll findings include:

• Nearly three quarters (73 percent) of voters, say that we do not have to choose between air quality and a strong economy – we can achieve both
• 2-to-1 majority (60 to 31 percent) believe that strengthening safeguards against pollution will create, rather than destroy, jobs by encouraging innovation
• About two-thirds of voters (66 percent) favor EPA updating air pollution standards by setting stricter limits
• 72 percent of voters support new standards for carbon pollution from power plants and support is strong (63 percent) after hearing arguments from both sides of the issue
• 60 percent of voters support stricter standards for gasoline and limits on the amount of tailpipe emissions from cars and SUVs (particularly strong given all the recent attention to high gasoline prices).

Despite more than a year’s worth of continued attacks on clean air protections from big corporate polluters and their allies in Congress, voters across the political spectrum view the Clean Air Act very positively; with a 2-to-1 favorable to unfavorable ratio. At the same time, feelings toward Congress continue to drop, especially among Democrats and independents. Just 18 percent of voters nationally give Congress a favorable rating, while 56 percent rate Congress unfavorable.  The unfavorable rating of Congress is up 9 percent since the American Lung Association’s last survey released in June 2011.

“The survey clearly indicates that voters reject the notion that we have to choose between strong safeguards against air pollution and economic growth,” said Andrew Bauman, Vice President at Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research. “In fact, voters overwhelmingly believe that stronger safeguards against air pollution will create jobs in America.”

“The poll does show there is broad support across partisan lines for new carbon regulations on power plants,” said Marc DelSignore, President of Perception Insight. “However, there is a significant difference in the views regarding the impact regulations may have on the economy, with Republicans expressing higher concern for possible job loss and rising energy prices than Democrats or independents.”

The full survey, along with slides and a memo from Greenberg Quinlan Rosner and Perception Insight may be found here.

Methodology: The survey was conducted for the American Lung Association by Greenberg Quinlan Rosner and Perception Insight. The firms conducted a national survey of 2,000 likely 2012 voters, including oversamples of 400 likely voters each in the following states: Maine, Ohio and Pennsylvania. The survey was conducted February 27- March 4, 2012. The margin of error for the full national sample is 3.5%. For each oversample region, it is approximately 4.9% depending on sample size.

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WHEN:  Wednesday, February 8, 2012, at 2 to 3 p.m. (EST)

WHO: 

• Paul Billings, Vice President of National Policy and Advocacy, American Lung Association
• Peter Iwanowicz, Director of the Healthy Air Campaign, American Lung Association
• Janice Nolen, Assistant Vice President of National Policy and Advocacy, American Lung Association

WHY:  Continued attacks by some in Congress to weaken the Clean Air Act have become a serious threat to public health. The latest example is set to play out during a House Energy and Commerce subcommittee meeting currently scheduled for Wednesday, February 8 at 10:00 a.m. (EST). The committee is expected to explore avenues to weaken, block or delay the life-saving benefits of the Power Plant Mercury and Air Toxics Standards.

HOW:  The American Lung Association will tweet live updates from Capitol Hill using the hastag #FightingforAir. Participants’ healthy air questions will be answered by American Lung Association experts.  A raffle featuring prizes from the Lung Association’s online merchandise store will be awarded to select Twitter party participants.

“The Clean Air Act protects public health by reducing harmful pollutants like soot and air toxics, and gives the Environmental Protection Agency the ability to clean up the air,” said Amy Ochalski, Healthy Air Campaign manager. “It’s one of the most effective tools in our arsenal to protect lung health, yet it continually faces opposition from some members of Congress.

“If we want to continue to have clean, healthy air, the medical and public health communities must engage in this fight.”

Dan Dolan-Laughlin, a Wheaton resident suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), spoke with the group about the real-life impacts of clean air. Having received a double lung transplant in late 2011 clean air is a matter of life and death for him.

“I have to be very careful of where I am,” said Dolan-Laughlin. “I was going to take the train in today [but] I didn’t because the train shed is just about enough to make you pass out if you have a breathing disorder. Walking along the streets in downtown Chicago is not terribly healthy.”

The Clean Air Act was created in 1970 by then President Richard Nixon. The Act gives the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency the power to create health-based standards for improving the air we breathe. Forty years later, some members of Congress now want to weaken the Clean Air Act and effectively roll back the progress that has been made.

The two most widespread air pollutants: ozone – created by gasses that come out of tailpipes and smokestacks; and particle pollution – directly emitted from tailpipes, smokestacks and wood fires – have very serious health effects. The most vulnerable Illinoisans are children and teenagers; the elderly; people suffering from chronic diseases including asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes; and individuals with low incomes.

Illinois has 23 coal‐fired power plants that produce over 80 toxic air pollutants such as arsenic, mercury, formaldehyde, and benzene. These plants are among the largest contributors to our ozone and particle pollution problem. In addition, pollution comes into Illinois from power plants in neighboring states.

“There is a direct correlation between this national legislation and the quality of life for families in Illinois,” said Peter Iwanowicz, American Lung Association’s national vice president. “The Clean Air Act saves lives. It reduces the severity of asthma attacks. It keeps children and the elderly out of the emergency room.”

The American Lung Association estimates that nationally the Clean Air Act saved 160,000 people from premature death in 2010. U.S. EPA estimates that the Act will prevent over 230,000 premature deaths in 2020.

“Most people think scientists, not Congress, should set the health standards for our country,” said Ochalski. “Our goal is to demonstrate that Illinois’ health community supports strong standards to keep people healthy.

Dozens of public health experts, medical professionals and policy experts attended the February 1 event at the American Lung Association’s Chicago office and committed to becoming more involved in the fight for clean air.

Visit fightingforair.org to learn more about the campaign and get involved.

About the American Lung Association in Illinois:
Our mission is to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease. With your generous support, the American Lung Association is “Fighting for Air” through research, education and advocacy. For more information about the American Lung Association or to support the work it does, call 1-800-LUNG-USA (1-800-586-4872) or visit www.lungil.org.

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Canasta layers up

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 20, 2012

CONTACT
Christopher Lackner
chris@lacknerandrews.com

CHICAGO INDIE BAND CANASTA TO TOUR MONGOLIA AS PART OF
U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT PERFORMING ARTS INITIATIVE

Next month, Chicago indie band Canasta heads to the hinterlands of Mongolia as part of the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs’ Arts Envoy Program.

The tour begins on February 3rd in Mongolia’s capital city of Ulaanbaatar and continues on to Sainshand and Dalanzadgad, finishing back in Ulaanbaatar on the 10th.

The Arts Envoy Program shares the best of the U.S. arts community with the world to foster cross-cultural understanding and collaboration and to demonstrate shared values and aspirations. American arts professionals, including performing artists, visual artists, poets, playwrights, directors, and curators, travel overseas to perform, conduct workshops, and mentor young people. Programs seek to connect with international audiences that might not otherwise have the opportunity to engage with American arts professionals. Arts Envoy exchanges last from 5 days to 6 weeks and take place worldwide.

In addition to live performances, Canasta will conduct classes and seminars for local music students, lead jam sessions, and discuss the creative process they use to bring their music to life.

“One of the more interesting things about us is our “craftsman” approach—combining our music schooling background with our love of pop and rock, and then adding a lot of Midwestern hard work to craft our songs, rather than a virtuoso technique or inspiration from the muses,” said Elizabeth Lindau, violinist and vocalist for the band. “I hope we can inspire people to think about their musical heritage and perhaps new ways of combining instruments to create a sound that is unique to their country and culture.”

Canasta has toured the United States significantly, sharing the stage with Wilco, Grizzly Bear, Devotchka, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Menomena, Sloan, Kaiser Chiefs, White Rabbits, and The Delgados. They even played a set for President Obama during his campaign. This is their first tour outside the country.

Canasta is Matt Priest (lead vocals, bass, trombone); Elizabeth Lindau (violin, vocals); Jeremy Beckford (guitar); Brian Palmieri (drums); Ryan Tracy (keyboard, piano, bass); and Sarah Kneebone (piano, keyboard).

More at canastamusic.com/mongolia

Chicago’s comedic performers and improvisers take over the play-by-play for a Bears football game while watching on the big screen at one of Chicago’s preeminent rock clubs, Lincoln Hall. Join Schadenfreude and Chicago’s best and brightest performers “Mystery Science Theater 3000″ the heck out of the Sunday gridiron.

Cast: Kate James, Justin Kaufmann, Sandy Marshall, Stephen Schmidt and Adam Witt.

Featuring: Cook County Social Club (sketch), Steve Gadlin (Blewt), Ernest Wilkins (RedEye), Scott Waguespack (32nd ward alderman), Burt Natarus (former 42nd ward alderman), Tim Smithe (Walter E. Smithe furniture), Samantha Irby (Bitches Gotta Eat), Ian Belknap (Write Club), Sarah Jindra (WBEZ), Marcus Gilmer (AV Club), Katie Rich (Second City), Phil Ridarelli (Neo-Futurists), Mark Bazer (Interview Show) and many, many more!

Formed in 1997, Chicago’s sketch comedy ensemble Schadenfreude has performed on local and national stages, and is the creator and producer of the radio program “Schadenfreude,” (which aired on Chicago Public Radio 2003-05). Schadenfreude has performed at countless venues including Chicago’s Goodman Theatre, The Second City, The Neo-Futurarium, and in New York City and Los Angeles. Schadenfreude performed sold-out shows at the Chicago Improv Festival and was the inaugural recipient of the “Festival Highlight Award.” The ensemble has been featured in several national comedy festivals, the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, and at various colleges.

Their work is on display at www.schadenfreude.net.

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