News
Chicago to Introduce Clean and Affordable Buildings Ordinance
CHICAGO – Today, at a press conference at City Hall, Alderwoman Maria Hadden of Chicago’s 49th ward announced that Mayor Brandon Johnson will be introducing an ordinance at Wednesday’s City Council meeting to set decarbonization measures for all newly constructed or majorly renovated buildings. “Too many Chicagoans are having trouble paying their gas bills, and…
Read MoreWelcoming Our New Board Members
This year the Illinois Green Alliance Board Elections Committee are pleased to present the results of this year’s Board of Directors elections. The Board of Directors guides Illinois Green’s strategic vision — to make net zero buildings feasible, affordable, and so commonplace that every building in Illinois by 2050 is net zero. Illinois Green welcomes…
Read More18th Annual Emerald Awards for Green Building in Illinois Announced
2023 Awardees Highlight the Impact of Net Zero Action on Communities Chicago, IL — Illinois Green Alliance announced the recipients of this year’s Emerald Awards, dubbed the 2023 Path to Zero Trailblazers, for their ongoing efforts to mainstream net zero buildings in Illinois. The Illinois Green Alliance Emerald Awards were launched in 2008 to celebrate…
Read MoreHow One Illinois Foundation Catalyzed Net Zero Building Growth
By: Sam Stevens, Communications Intern The Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation (ICECF)’s net zero energy building grant has played a significant role in driving the growth of net zero energy buildings in the state of Illinois in the last decade. However, with the grant’s resources ending, it is essential to explore and create alternative funding…
Read MoreWhat Mayor Johnson’s Transition Report Means for Net-Zero
On 7/6, Mayor Brandon Johnson submitted his transition team’s 223 page set of policy recommendations for the new administration. In this report, the new mayor pledges his support for “Securing a just transition to an equitable decarbonized Chicago” as an environmental justice goal. We dove into this report to learn the specifics of the Mayor Johnson’s net-zero goals.
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 MoreWhat the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act Means for Green Buildings
by Brian Imus, Executive Director On September 15, the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act was signed into law by Governor Pritzker. This nation-leading law delivers on the goal of a carbon-free power sector by 2045, increases the Illinois Solar for All program 5-fold, and extends electric efficiency programs beyond 2030. This victory is the result…
Read MoreQ&A with Illinois Green Schools Project Mentors — Uplift Community High School + FGM Architects
by Brian Meade, Nadia Lohse, and Kelly McCaffrey, Green Schools Mentors from FGM Architects The Illinois Green Schools Project, launched last summer, connects educators and students with professional mentors in the green building community. In our pilot cohort, 25 professional mentors were matched with 14 participating schools across the state. As we reach the halfway…
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