Posts by maggie
Volunteer with Illinois Green! Applications Open Now.
Are you a green building expert who wants to make an impact in your community? Illinois Green’s offers two opportunities to connect and share your knowledge as a building mentor: Green Schools Mentor Sustainable Facilities Mentor Volunteers in these programs complete hands-on projects and share knowledge to advance sustainability in all building types. Last year over 100 green…
Read MoreThe Proposed Chicago Energy Transformation Code, Explained
Illinois Green congratulates Mayor Lightfoot & the Chicago Department of Buildings on the introduction of the 2022 Chicago Energy Transformation Code. The proposed code goes beyond the 2021 IECC baseline by adding key advancements that would make meaningful steps towards advancing building electrification. The Chicago Department of Buildings sought feedback from Illinois Green’s Building Professionals…
Read MoreMeet our Summer Interns
Eric Epstein Communications Intern Eric is a rising senior at Northwestern University studying journalism, psychology, and integrated marketing communications. Eric co-founded the Northwestern Surf Club, with the mission of establishing a diverse and welcoming community of students who love to surf on Lake Michigan and are passionate about conserving its aquatic ecosystems. As the communications…
Read MoreCelebrating Net Zero Buildings Week
It’s our mission to make net zero buildings feasible, affordable, and commonplace in Illinois. To support this goal, we’re joining the New Buildings Institute in celebrating Net Zero Buildings Week! In celebration, we’re introducing new resources, case studies, and a state of net zero in Illinois survey to advance the building industry. Join us by…
Read MoreCelebrating the Illinois Green Schools Project Mentors
This past school year, nearly 50 volunteers from Illinois’ green building community mentored a school in designing and implementing a sustainability project as part of the Illinois Green Schools Project. We want to extend a huge thank you to these Green Schools Mentors, who lent their expertise and time to educating students and supporting schools…
Read MoreMeet our Spring Communications Intern: Clare Zhang
Clare is a sophomore at Northwestern University studying journalism and data science. She is serving as the Communications Intern for Illinois Green Alliance for the spring. She works on a variety of projects, primarily providing narrative storytelling for the Illinois Green Schools Project. At Northwestern, she has been involved with the Knight Lab, Supplies for…
Read MoreVernon Hills High School: School-Wide Zero Waste Strategic Plan
Students: 12 Staff: 4 Mentors: Damon Henrikson & Chris Philbrick Location: Vernon Hills, IL Grade Level: High School Vernon Hills High School’s project was unique in the sense that they had already begun a Zero Waste program at Vernon Hills High School in their student cafeteria, however, there was no strategic plan in place for…
Read MoreUplift Community High School: Living Wall
Students: 75 Staff: 10 Mentors: Brian Meade, Jason Klinker, & Kelly McCaffrey Location: Chicago, IL Grade Level: High School Students worked with architects from FGMA to design a living wall installation in Uplift’s newly opened Innovation Lab. The wall is a collection of individually designed planter modules that interconnect for one watering system. The goals…
Read MoreSouthside Occupational Academy: Southside Monarch Butterfly Conservation Program
Students: 48 Staff: 8 Mentor: Kristen Dimas Project type: Habitat Restoration Location: Chicago, IL Grade levels: all students Southside Occupational Academy’s project won the Judges’ Choice award for the 21-22 cohort of the Illinois Green Schools Project. Southside Occupational Academy is a CPS transition school serving young adults with intellectual & physical disabilities, ages 18-22,…
Read MoreMurphysboro Middle School: Putting Waste in its Place
Students: 12 Staff: 2 Mentor: Aur Beck Location: Murphysboro, IL With a focus on energy conservation, the goal of the Murphysboro student-led Eco Action team is to educate students and staff about plastic pollution, waste reduction, energy conservation, and recycling while taking action to make change. Their project consists of improving the in-school recycling program,…
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