The City of Chicago, under Democratic control, has initiated legal action against multiple major corporations for allegedly contributing to a perceived “climate crisis.”
Amidst challenges faced by residents in this designated “sanctuary city” due to an influx of illegal migrants, Chicago officials have opted to utilize public funds to pursue a comprehensive lawsuit against six prominent oil and gas companies, along with a leading energy industry association.
Chicago asserts that these major oil companies have misled consumers within the city regarding the potential “climate risks” associated with fossil fuels. The extensive 200-page lawsuit was officially submitted to the Circuit Court of Cook County on Tuesday. Defendants named in the lawsuit include BP, Chevron, ConocoPhillips, ExxonMobil, Phillips 66, Shell, and the American Petroleum Institute (API).
The legal document attributes the phenomenon of global warming to the actions of these companies. Furthermore, it alleges that the defendants are accountable for a series of specific severe weather incidents in the city, spanning over several decades.
“There is no justice without accountability,” Chicago’s Democrat Mayor Brandon Johnson said in a statement.
“From the unprecedented poor air quality that we experienced last summer to the basement floodings that our residents on the West Side experienced, the consequences of this crisis are severe, as are the costs of surviving them.
“That is why we are seeking to hold these defendants accountable.”
“Evidence shows that these defendants intentionally misled Chicago residents about the climate change-related dangers associated with their oil and gas products,” added Chicago counsel Mary Richardson-Lowry.
“If unabated, climate change could result in catastrophic impacts on our city.
“We bring this lawsuit to ensure that the defendants who have profited from the deception campaign bear responsibility for their conduct.”
Chicago’s legal action aims to obtain financial compensation in the form of substantial sums, reaching hundreds of millions of dollars, to cover compensatory damages and losses incurred. Additionally, the lawsuit seeks to impose penalties and fines for violations of statutory regulations. Furthermore, it seeks to force the companies to surrender their ill-gotten profits and prevent them from continuing the deceptive and unfair practices outlined in the lawsuit.
