Auxiliary Board Applications Open Now

Applications are open now for the Auxiliary Board — Illinois Green Alliance’s volunteer committee for young & emerging professionals in sustainability. Apply for the 2023 Auxiliary Board Create community among emerging professionals, support Illinois Green’s strategic mission through fundraising, event planning, and other support, and develop your leadership skills in the green building industry. Spaces are limited…

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Mayor’s New Report Outlines 26 Building Decarb Recommendations

On October 13, the City of Chicago Mayor’s Office released the Building Decarbonization Working Group Report. The 26 equity-focused policy and program recommendations center on new construction design, energy efficiency, renewable energy, and building electrification. These recommendations set the course for bold building decarbonization action along with lowering the economic burden for residents and businesses.…

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17th Annual Emerald Awards for Green Building in Illinois Announced

2022 Awardees Reflect the Leadership of Municipalities and Nonprofits in Net Zero Buildings Chicago, IL — Illinois Green Alliance announced the recipients of this year’s Emerald Awards, dubbed the 2022 Path to Zero Heroes, for their ongoing efforts to mainstream net zero buildings in Illinois.   The Illinois Green Alliance Emerald Awards were launched in 2008…

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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…

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The Proposed Chicago Energy Transformation Code, Explained

Chicago skyline

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…

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Meet 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…

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Celebrating 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…

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Celebrating 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…

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Meet 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…

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Vernon 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…

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