Net Zero Building Case Study: Adlai E. Stevenson High School EBA I

Project Overview In 2021, the Adlai E. Stevenson High School East Building Addition became the first verified net zero energy building in Illinois. The all- electric powered project achieved Zero Energy Certification from the International Living Future Institute. Project Team Owner: Adlai E. Stevenson High School District 125 Architect: Wight & Company MEP, Structural Engineering:…

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High Performance Building Case Study: Ford Calumet Environmental Center

Project Overview In 2021, the Ford Calumet Environmental Center opened in Chicago’s Southeast side. The LEED Silver building is located within Big Marsh Park, which is a part of the Chicago Park District’s largest reclamation projects. Project Team Owner: Chicago Park District Architectural Design: Valerio Dewalt Train General Contractor: Chicago Commercial Construction Civil Engineering: Primera…

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Net Zero Building Case Study: Carroll Community Center

Project Overview Carroll Community Center is one of the first net zero verified buildings in Illinois, earning PHIUS+ 2018 & Source Zero certifications. The building was completed in 2020 and net zero verified in 2021. Project Team Owner & Co-Construction Manager: Park District of Oak Park Architect, Co-Construction Manager, & Certified Passive House Consultant: Tom…

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39 Illinois Schools Recognized for their Sustainability Projects

Since October 2022, participating schools across Illinois have been hard at work identifying, planning, and implementing low-to-no cost sustainability projects for their schools and communities through the Illinois Green Schools Project. As the school year comes to a close, we want to thank all who were involved and reflect on the achievements and impact of your work. Nearly 1,800…

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Uplift Community High School: Plant Parenthood Project

Project Type: Nature, Biophilic design Students: 10 Staff: 2 Location: Chicago, IL Grade Levels: High School Winner: Judges’ Choice Award Uplift Community High’s Green Schools Project was selected by the panel of Illinois Green Schools Project reviewers as the Judges’ Choice winner for holistically addressing sustainability at school. The Project This project follows up on a…

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Immaculate Conception St. Joseph School: Zero Waste Lunch

Project Type: Path to Net Zero, Waste Reduction Students: 18 Staff: 4 Mentor: Amreh Hopkins Location: Chicago, IL Grade Levels: 4th – 7th Winner: 1st Place Middle School Immaculate Conception St. Joseph’s project was awarded the 1st Place Middle School recognition by the panel of Illinois Green Schools Project reviewers. The Project As a participant in…

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Whitney M. Young High School: Green Team

Project Type: Path to Net Zero, Energy Conservation, Indoor Environmental Quality, Waste Reduction, Water Conservation Students: 45 Staff: 5 Mentor: Ajit Naik, Baumann Consulting Location: Chicago, IL Grade Levels: 9th – 12th The Project As a participant in the 2022-23 cohort of the Illinois Green Schools Project, the Whitney Young Green Team counts this year a…

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Family Matters School: The Closed Loop Project: Compost to Garden & Back Again

Project Type: Native Plant & Food Garden, Waste Reduction Students: 20 Staff: 5 Mentor: Celia Ristow, GBCI Location: Chicago, IL Grade Levels: K – 4th The Project As a participant in the 2022-23 cohort of the Illinois Green Schools Project, The Family Matters School engaged the K – 4th children in learning the mechanics of composting…

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Kelvyn Park High School: Butterfly Space

Project Type: Outdoor Learning Space Students: 67 Staff: 5 Mentor: Madeline Schmehling, JLL Location: Chicago, IL Grade Levels: 7th – 12th The Project As a participant in the 2022-23 cohort of the Illinois Green Schools Project, Kelvyn Park students followed up on a project from last year in which Environmental Science students documented that when students…

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