Chicago is earning a reputation for its emphasis on sustainability and

green economic development. Siemens and the US Chamber of Commerce recently identified Chicago as the most sustainable large community in America. In 2010, the Brookings-Battelle Research Initiative named Chicago the city with the third most clean economy jobs (80,000) in the nation. Currently Chicago is ranked first in buildings certified by the Leadership Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) ranking system. The Environmental Protection Agency, the New York Times, National Geographic, and the environmental news site Grist have all named Chicago as one of the worlds greenest cities. The City of Chicago has been actively growing its green economy since the mid-1990s. Chicagos green revolution can be traced to then-Mayor Richard Daleys 1996 Neighbor-Space Initiative to develop and protect green spaces. Although initially focused on beautification, when Daley left office in 2011, Chicago was a hub for green economic growth. Table 1 on the next page depicts some of the major programs and initiatives adopted under Daley. Since the mid-1990s, a number of coalitions, nonprofit organizations, corporations, and community groups dedicated to advancing Chicagos green economy have been established. For example, the Chicago Center for Green Technology, touted as the most comprehensive green design educational resource in the Midwest, was founded in 2002; the Center hosts a number of seminars, workshops, and exhibits and offers a number of certificates pertinent to the green economy (e.g., architecture, engineering, and green business). Green exchange, the nations largest sustainable business community, was established in 2005. In 2007, the Chicago Jobs Council (i.e. a coalition of community organizations, advocacy groups, business, and individuals working to advance career opportunities) launched the Chicagoland Green Collar Jobs Initiative, which aimed to develop a skilled workforce to meet the demands for a growing green economy. The City of Chicago has become a hub for individuals and businesses invested in green economic growth.

The Delta Institute , a nonprofit organization, was established in 1998 to create market opportunities to achieve environmental sustainability and economic development. The institutes mission statement reads, To help the Great Lakes Region become a world leader in green technology, green jobs, and innovation, by creating innovative models, sharing information, connecting people and technical resources with necessary funding, and acting as an independent, trustworthy guide to the Green Economy. The institute is run by a board of directors, comprised of leaders from diverse economic sectors. Funds come from a combination of government and foundation grants and income earned largely through consultation fees. Key programs include: Delta Weatherization & Energy Efficiency Delta Institute Appliance Program Green Business Development and Learning Center Delta Green Building Program
For more information: www.delta-institute.org/

In 2006, the Environmental Protection Agency, Region 5 established a steering committee to identify key stakeholders and address market barriers to green development. To do this,

Market Barriers to Green Development Workshops, comprised of community

the committee hosted two experts active in the green economy. Key findings included: There is a lack of information about green building standards. Conflicting standards have weakened the credibility of authorities. Information on greening buildings is seldom conveyed to tenants and buyers. Brokers, appraisers, and realtors, for example, have no incentives or tools to relay this information to their clients. Green development programs often do not neatly fit into standardized underwriting rules, which make it more difficult to secure funding. Building codes and development processes designed for conventional projects are not necessarily compatible with green development.
For more information: www.delta-institute.org/

Chicagos new mayor, Rahm Emanuel is committed to continuing Chicagos sustainable growth. Earlier this year, Emanuels administration developed the Sustainable Chicago 2015 action plan. This plan focuses on public and private sustainability investments, including improving bus and rail transit, upgrading the water system, modernizing electrical infrastructure, and driving energy efficient retrofits. Additionally, Building a New Chicago, a $7 billion City revitalization program, and the Chicago Infrastructure Trust, a $1.7 billion program providing advanced funding for transformative infrastructure projects, were recently launched. The City, in response to businesses demands, established Green Business Chicago, a certification program for companies that meet green standards.

Sustainable Chicago 2015

offers concrete initiatives, metrics, and strategies aimed at advancing Chicagos goal of becoming the most sustainable city in the country. Select goals and key actions include: 1. Establish Chicago as a hub for the growing sustainable economy Increase research and sharing of data Host a major clean energy and sustainability conference annually 2. Improve Citywide energy efficiency by five percent Double the number of LEED-certified buildings 3. Incorporate green practices into all City operations 4. Create an additional 20 MW of renewable energy Cut the solar permit approval time in half
For more information: http://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/progs/env.html

Like the United States as a whole, Illinois has experienced a decline in good manufacturing jobs; in 1965, manufacturing accounted for 32 percent of the total state GDP, but by 2008 that number fell to 12 percent.1 With so much effort devoted to growing Chicagos green economy, the outlook for well-paying jobs is good. In 2009, the Chicago area accounted for 57 percent of the state total manufacturing jobs1. Chicago has already attracted more than a half a dozen global energy companies, is the nations largest exporter of green goods, and is predicted to have a growth of more 127,000 green jobs over the next three years.2 The Citys commitment to sustainability has created a robust green market that continues to retain and attract green businesses throughout the region.
Table 1. Major Programs Year Program/Initiative 1996 Neighbor-Space 2001 2005 2007 Urban Heat Initiative Green Permits Program Green Region Compact Sustainable Development Policy 2008 2009 Chicago Climate Action Plan Chicago Green Homes Program Energy Conservation Code Green Office Challenge 2011 Chicago Sustainable Industries Green Taxi Grant Program
1

and Initiatives in Chicago

Description Works with community groups and provides referrals to partner organizations, materials, funding, technical assistance, and training Established Green Roof Chicago, which has built 359 green roofs, totally 5.5 million square feet Offers an expedited permit process for applications that include green technologies Over 100 mayors signed the voluntary compact at the Metropolitan Mayors Caucuss Business Meeting to improve regions environment and energy efficiency Promote LEED certification, Energy Star, Chicago Green Homes certification, and American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air Conditioning Engineers standards for energy efficiency Development plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions Three-tiered home certification program to encourage residential builders, developers, and homeowners to use green products and practices Updated original 2001 code to lower residential and commercial energy consumption City competition to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions from commercial buildings Development program to examine the effectiveness of planned manufacturing districts, set infrastructure priorities to reflect key industry goals, and identify business service priorities Used $1 million from a federal grant to reimburse the cost of alternative vehicles for taxis

International Trade Association. 2010. Manufacturing in Illinois. Department of Commerce, United States of America. Retrieved February 16, 2013 (http://trade.gov/manufactureamerica/facts/tg_mana_003078.asp#P8_191). Delta Redevelopment Institute. 2009. Green Economic Development Strategies for the Chicago Region. RCF Economic and Finance Consulting and Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning.