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Sustainable
Cook
County

   News from the Cook County Sustainability Office
        and Department of Environmental Control
New Opportunities to Save Energy - and Dollars

Cook County residents will receive Smart Meters from ComEd and the Cook County Department of Environmental Control wants to make sure you know about new opportunities to help the environment while also saving energy and money with your new meter. Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle has committed to reducing 80% of greenhouse gas emissions in Cook County by 2050. Based on this commitment, the Department of Environmental Control promotes energy efficiency throughout the County, and is now educating residents on the new Smart Grid.
Economic Development Through Brownfields Revitalization
 
Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle talks about her strong commitment to the environment and economic development.
On September 24, President Preckwinkle kicked off the Economic Revitalization through Brownfields Workshop, organized by the Cook County Department of Environmental Control and Kansas State University - Technical Assistance to Brownfields Program and hosted by Triton College. The purpose of the workshop was to help communities gain a greater understanding of Brownfield revitalization -  what it is and how to make it part of an economic development strategy. Click here to learn more about the workshops. 

Presentations covered characteristics of a successful brownfield cleanup and redevelopment;  grant and technical assistance resources available from federal, state and county entities; success stories from suburban Cook County; and the importance of community-based planning and job opportunities presented by brownfields redevelopment.   Presentations are available here.
Chicago Metro Metal Consortium Co-Hosts Energy Efficiency Event for Manufacturers
 
On July 30th, the Chicago Metro Metal Consortium (staffed by the Cook County Bureau of Economic Development), the 
Alliance for Illinois Manufacturing and S&C Electric hosted a program on energy incentives for manufacturers. The event was held at S&C Electric on Chicago's North Side. It was attended by manufacturers and service providers in the region interested in learning more about incentives to reduce industrial energy costs. S&C Electric is a Chicago-based company that manufactures switching, protection and control solutions for electric power systems. With an eye for innovation, S&C is not only shaping the future of reliable electricity delivery, but is also dedicated to reducing energy consumption and energy costs in its own manufacturing processes.


Energy Action Month
Designated by President Obama

Get tips on what you can do at home and at work to save money and energy.

 

Cook County to Pilot New Ways to Save Energy


 

Best Practices and Model Programs in Community Solar


 

Chief Sustainability Officer Deborah Stone Profiled in REJournals.com

Talks about her commitment to sustainability and the programs she manages at Cook County.



Complaints About Environmental Matters
Within suburban Cook County can be filed with the Department of Environmental Control,
24 hours a day at: (312) 603-8200.






Our Mission

The Cook County Department of Environmental Control follows Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle's directive that our County become a world-class model of sustainability. We are working not only to boost sustainability practices throughout County government, but also to join forces with local governments, nonprofits and business, to accomplish more than we could separately in making each of Cook County's communities sustainable. To further communications about our work, we have developed this
 e-newsletter, along with our two websites.