Sustainable Venues in Chicago: McCormick Place earned the Events Industry Council’s Platinum Sustainability Certification, moving up from Gold. The venue says it offsets 100% of electricity with certified wind renewable energy, runs a rooftop garden tied to food service, and operates an onsite honeybee program, while also recovering surplus food and materials for community groups. Urban Pollinators: Evanston residents are joining “Bees on the Block,” turning front yards into pollinator pathways through an action-research project that’s already enlisted 60 households across five blocks. Wildlife Watch: Chicago’s piping plovers are gearing up for migration after a successful nesting season, including chicks named for local music legends. Illinois Climate Help: Climate Action Evanston is pushing utility bill assistance and home energy-efficiency programs for low-income households, aiming to bridge gaps between services and people who need them most. Agriculture & Trade: Soy Connext 2026 in Chicago highlighted growing China-US soybean ties and Bangladesh’s rising demand for U.S. soy. Historic Protections Under Threat: A proposed overhaul to the National Historic Preservation Act would weaken federal review under Section 106, raising alarms for historic and cultural sites.