Chicago on track to complete tree-planting goal early

CHICAGO (WLS) -- ABC7's Weekend Watch shines a spotlight on government activity.

In 2022, Chicago launched an unprecedented effort to plant 75,000 new trees across the city over five years.

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Now, four years later, city officials are on track to reach that goal early.

Tens of thousands of new trees have taken root in South and West side neighborhoods, where risks of excess heat, flooding and air pollution have been more prevalent.

However, a deeper analysis of the data reveals the city's most recent tree plantings have been unevenly distributed, with some neighborhoods receiving far fewer trees than others.

Alex Nitkin from the Illinois Answers Project joined ABC7 to discuss on Saturday.

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