Green: the Newsletter of the Illinois Green Government Coordinating Council

              IGGCC Supports Green Legislative Victories
Breathing easy in Illinois
The Illinois Green Government Coordinating Council is proud to report that
Illinois students, faculty, staff and custodians will soon breathe a little easier
during the school day. This August, Illinois passed the Green Cleaning Schools
Act, becoming the second state in the nation to enact legislation requiring green
cleaning in schools. The Act requires all elementary and secondary schools in
Illinois to purchase environmentally sensitive cleaning supplies that do not expose
students and teachers to irritants and harmful chemicals.
Phosphorus free for Illinois waterways
Our waterways represent the lifeblood of our environment, which is why Illinois is
taking steps to reduce the amount of excess phosphorus flowing into our surface
waters and seeping into our groundwater. Thanks to a law passed in August, no
detergents containing more than 0.5 percent phosphorus by weight will be sold
in Illinois by the year 2010.
Renewable energy to power Illinois
Over the next decades, Illinois will be powered by more clean energy. A new
state law requires utilities to increase their electricity supply from renewable
sources to 25 percent by 2025. Seventy-five percent of the power must come from
wind, while the rest may be generated by solar, biomass, hydropower, or other
alternative sources. The new law also requires energy efficiency gains to achieve
a 2 percent reduction in electricity demand by 2015.
Lt. Governor Pat Quinn, Chair GreenSolutions.il.gov
Veterans Benefit From
State Fair Recycling
Illinois vendors and fairgoers recycled
3,900 pounds of cans – nearly four times
the amount collected during last year’s
fair. And at 50 cents a pound, the Illinois
environment wasn’t the only cause that
benefited. Illinois veterans groups will
receive the $1,950 collected from the
recycled cans.
Cities Symposium Set For
October 26
The city of Elgin will host the Green
Government Coordinating Council’s
second annual Sustainable Cities
Symposium on October 26. The
symposium will bring together mayors,
village managers, planners, utility
managers, local government participants
and community groups from across
the state to discuss strategies for
improving the health and sustainability
of our working environment. Visit
www.GreenSolutions.il.gov for more
information and registration.