It's an exciting time for green business in Illinois! We were recently awarded an EPA Environmental Information Exchange Network grant in partnership with the Smart Energy Design Assistance Center (SEDAC) at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and the California Green Business Network, to launch an online certification database for Illinois businesses! 

Collection of business environmental data has been challenging, usually accomplished manually through a combination of Excel documents, paper forms, phone conversations, and in-person meetings. This labor-intensive and error-prone process limits participation among green businesses and programs. 

The green business certification model and data tool GreenBizTracker makes collecting environmental data easier and less error-prone. It allows program coordinators to track businesses through the green certification process and provides a searchable business directory. Six other states nationally use the GreenBizTracker platform, so Illinois is a part of a national initiative to grow green business and collect quality environmental impact data.

We're thrilled to launch this tool for Illinois businesses to gain sustainable recognition for their efforts and also for consumers to find green businesses across Illinois! Look for a launch in early 2020 of the new program and system!

 

Wow, it has been quite some time since we have posted an update here! The reason being that we have been busy preparing exciting new programs and initiatives for IGBA. Be on the lookout for a formal announcement shortly. But in the meantime we wanted to share some quick behind the scenes previews about what we have been up to.

• New Partnership - The Illinois Green Business Association (IGBA) and the Illinois Sustainable Technology Center (ISTC) are pleased to announce its partnership to provide accreditation assistance for the IGBA’s Green Business Certification Program. This partnership will allow the certification to expand to the manufacturing and industrial scale operations due to ISTC's expertise in the field. In addition, ISTC is expanding its suite of services to include providing hands-on assistance to organizations interested in achieving certification, as well as connectivity to ISTC's vast network of contacts and agencies. Private and public sector organizations in the office, retail, restaurant, and manufacturing sectors are encouraged to participate.

• Technical Advisory Groups (TAGs) - The TAGs are moving forward with the new and improved updates to the certification program. After two years of carefully reviewing the certification standards and planning for the future of sustainability, our team of experts is getting close to the releasing the new standards. We are excited about the improvements made to the structure and content of the certification program. The end goal is a more streamlined program that better engages businesses and their customers as well as encouraging businesses to achieve continuous improvement in reducing their environmental footprint while also cutting costs. Public comment period and full release to occur this summer. Stay tuned!

• Launching a Certification Database - Coming this fall, the IGBA will be joining the Green Business Programs in California, Colorado, Nebraska, Nevada, and Washington in launching a state of the art online certification tool. This is something we have been working towards for the past four years so we are extremely excited to bring this to Illinois. Made possible thanks to an EPA grant and the Western Sustainability and Pollution Prevention Network (among other partners), this online certification tool will revolutionize the certification process for businesses. Not only will the user friendly online user interface allow you to work on your green business certification, at anytime and anywhere in the world, but you will also be able to track and record your savings data as well. We think this will be a game changer in how businesses can manage and track their green business success and we look forward to getting this tool in the hands of businesses throughout Illinois.

• New Look, New Focus - To compliment all of these amazing new programs and partnerships, we will soon be unveiling a new image and look to represent the IGBA. We feel the time is right for this kind of refresh and believe that it will allow us to better represent green business leaders in Illinois. We plan to make a big splash with the new look and can't wait for you to be able to see it for yourself.

 

What a year 2013 has been! This five year-old organization to rapidly emerge as a national leader in facilitating green business practices, leading businesses to significant savings while attracting new customers, increasing customer loyalty, and attracting and retaining the best employees.

We are proud to have worked with over 80 Illinois companies to certify more than one million square feet of space, impacting over 1,400 employees in seven communities throughout Illinois and be ranked the #2 most-trustworthy green certification in the nation by GreenBiz.com. 

Here is just a small sampling of the IGBA’s bottom-line impact on businesses throughout the state:

• The Marriott Hotel in Bloomington-Normal changed all ballroom lighting to highly efficient LED lights, composts 60,000 pounds of food waste/year, and donates used soap products to a local charity.
• Busey Bank and First Busey Corporation—a $3.4 billion financial holding company headquartered in Champaign—reduced its energy use by 815,160 kilowatts and its water use by over 1.4 million gallons.
• The University of Illinois’ Krannert Center for the Performing Arts—the nation’s leading university-based performing arts center—is engaged with IGBA to create the first performing arts certification in the country.But there is more work to do, and we need your help. 

Our goals for the coming year include certifying an additional 75-100 businesses, launching the first certification database in Illinois, and connecting over 1,000 businesses with utility programs. 

Donate today to help IGBA continue to green our Illinois economy, one business at a time!
 
From all of us at the Illinois Green Business Association, we wish you a happy holiday season! As always, don't forget to keep your holiday green!

 

Certified July 15, 2013

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Vitesse Cycle/Often Running makes sure that any packaging materials are either reused or recycled to reduce the amount that ends up in landfills. They use programmable thermostats to save energy, and have ensured that both their staff and suppliers are made aware of their sustainability policies. Being green has always been embedded in their culture, but through working with the Illinois Green Business Association, Vitesse Cycle staff have adopted new policies and practices that are better for the environment.Vitesse Cycle /Often Running also has a drop off point for old bikes to be recycled or repurposed at the West Bloomington Revitalization Project, and offers a unique Bike Buddy program that links new bikers with more experienced commuters -- encouraging more people in Bloomington-Normal to ride their bikes to work.

 

PEORIA (October 29^th, 2013) – The Illinois Green Business Association, located in Champaign, IL, has received Honorable Mention at the 2013 Illinois Governor's Sustainability Awards among 13 other companies and organizations.

Since October 2008, the IGBA has engaged 41 businesses, encompassing 595,554 sq. feet and 969 employees in greener practices throughout central and northern Illinois through its certification program. Since September 2011, IGBA has engaged over 1,500 small businesses in Ameren Illinois and Nicor Gas territory in energy efficiency upgrades. In total, IGBA has saved businesses over 843,310 kWh of electricity, 325,126 therms of natural gas. IGBA also has held two Illinois Green Business Summits in 2012 and 2013, engaging over 400 attendees from around the state, and across the country in green business information and training.

“The Illinois Green Business Association, in the last 5 years, has experienced steady, sustainable growth,” says Executive Director, Cassie Carroll. “We are now working in 7 communities throughout Illinois, engaging small businesses in the Champaign-Urbana in Ameren Illinois Small Business Assessments, and just held another successful Illinois Green Business Summit in Tinley Park, IL.”

Cassie Carroll also adds, “We look to continue to grow these engagement numbers through continually enhancing and adding to our existing programs, and working with entities here in Illinois, and nationally, to bring the best program possible to our state.”

The Illinois Green Business Association (IGBA) is a 501C3 non-profit organization committed to improving sustainable practice in Illinois businesses through education and engagement. IGBA has three main programs: green business certification, energy efficiency installations and audits, and education. Recently, the IGBA won the Social Entrepreneurship award from the Champaign County Innovation Celebration, and is a founding member of the Green Business Engagement National Network, which is an organization that connects green business programs on a national level to share best practices and help advance our unique missions.

At the awards event, twenty-seven Illinois companies and organizations were honored for their significant achievements in protecting the environment, helping sustain the future, and improving the economy. The Governor’s Sustainability Awards were presented by the Illinois Sustainable Technology Center (ISTC) during a ceremony in Peoria. ISTC is a unit of the Prairie Research Institute at the University of Illinois.

Since 1987, ISTC has presented Governors awards to organizations in Illinois that have demonstrated a commitment to environmental excellence through outstanding and innovative sustainability practices. Any Illinois public or private organization is eligible to apply for the award. Winners are selected through a rigorous process of review and examination by ISTC technical assistance experts.

To further acknowledge organizations whose environmental efforts are worth noting, a new Honorable Mention category was included this year. Fourteen companies were selected for efforts that also embody the spirit of sustainability.

 “In working for a greener tomorrow, these businesses and organizations not only preserve our resources, protect our environment, reduce their costs and increase their competitiveness, they also help develop more sustainable technologies and become our greatest allies in the diffusion of new ideas and new attitudes about how business is done in Illinois,” said ISTC Interim Director David Thomas. 

 

CHAMPAIGN (Nov 19, 2013): The Illinois Green Business Association is partnering with the Green Institute at Heartland Community College, Illinois Green Economy Network, the Midwest Renewable Energy Association to bring the Illinois Power Pack program presentation, connecting residents, businesses, and public entities, which will assist in navigating implementation and finance opportunities to increase adoption of solar energy systems in Champaign County. The event will take place at Cafeteria and Company (208 W. Main St, Urbana) November 19^th from 5:30-7:30pm.

The Illinois Power Pack is an innovative financing and solar market development program first implemented in Milwaukee, WI. The program provides lower cost solar installation for customers, more leads and more jobs for installers, more business for local companies and builds on the existing renewable energy initiatives at Illinois community colleges.

The Illinois Power Pack provides a unique solar purchasing program that promotes local businesses and local manufacturing and provides free 1 hour Power Hour sessions.  The Power Hours provide information on the basics about solar, current incentives, how to get a site assessment, and contacts for financial institutions and trained and qualified solar installers.

The Green Institute at Heartland Community College is hosting 3 Power Hours in November for different community populations.   All the Power Hours are free thanks to funding from the Illinois Green Economy Network, but registration is encouraged.

November 19^th

5:30 pm -7:30 pm

Cafeteria & Company

208 W. Main St.

Urbana, IL 61807

Registration: https://hcc11192013.eventbrite.com/

More information can be found on the Green Institute website www.heartland.edu/greenInstitute and by clicking on the Solar Power Hours link or by contacting:

 Cassie Carroll at the Illinois Green Business Association (cassie@illinoisgba.com 217-531-2179)

Catherine Dunlap (Catherine.dunlap@heartland.edu 309-268-8443) or Adrienne Tucker (Adrienne.tucker@heartland.edu 309-268-8238) with the Green Institute. 

 

Certified October 21, 2013

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Eyrie Restaurant is a restaurant that purchases food locally from Testa Produce (Chicago) and Gordan Food Services (Grand Rapids, MI). They also do their best to think of menu items with ingredients they can find in the Midwest and purchase locally and in season. They have  all-ENERGY STAR rated appliances and “Use Water Wisely” signs in the kitchen and in the restaurant, and only serve water to patrons upon request. Their building has a recycling program so everything that can be recycled will be. Lastly, over 50% of employees walk to work or use public transportation!Working with IGBA’s green business certification program has helped Eyrie take a major step to becoming truly sustainable. Students in the Culinary Institute at Robert Morris University who work at Eyrie leave more aware of the environmental challenges of the restaurant industry.

 

Certified October 21, 2013

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Green Home Experts wanted to walk the walk of being green in their operations. They are a community education resource on sustainable home practices and products, and they host educational events to teach people about what they can do – such as organic lawn care, chicken-keeping, and home canning. Green Home Experts recycles as many materials in the shop as can be recycled, power off their equipment when idle, and turns off lights at the end of the day, and trains their employees and volunteers on their green policies and procedures. They are cognizant of their energy and waste use, and they continually look for ways to reduce their impact. Customers can bring a bottle into the shop and refill it with eco-friendly cleaning supplies to cut down on packaging. They also have a graywater system in their bathroom and a highly efficient 0.8gps toilet! 

 

CHAMPAIGN, IL (November 12, 2013) – the
Illinois Green Business Association (IGBA) and Illinois American Water will recognize ten businesses in Champaign,Coles and McLean county for integrating practices and policies that reduce wateruse in the Mahomet Aquifer Region through IGBA’s “Business on Board for Water
Efficiency” project on November 12th at 5:30pm-7pm at Quality Beer. 

The project, funded by an Illinois American Water 2013
Environmental Grant, engaged 112 employees in implementing 78 water conservingstrategies in over 57,000 sq. ft. of space. 
Strategies included everything from educational lunch and learns,
efficient equipment upgrades and policy integration for continual water
conserving engagement within the business. Actions range from interior to
exterior water management. 

Businesses participating and receiving awards include:
Progressive
Asset Management - Urbana
Mueller,
Reece, and Hinch LLC - Normal
CUMTD
- Urbana
McLean County Chamber of Commerce - Bloomington
Ippatsu
Salon - Champaign
Taylor Studios - Rantoul
Ecology Action Center
- Normal
Charleston Chamber
of Commerce – Charleston
I.D.E.A.
Store – Champaign
VE
Websites - Champaign

The Illinois Green Business Association was awarded an
Illinois American Water Environmental Grant to sponsor 10-15 small to
medium-sized businesses in East and Central Illinois
to enroll in IGBA’s Green Business Certification Program with a focus on water
use reduction in the Mahomet Aquifer Region. 
IGBA has involved ten businesses in three sectors (public, private, and
non-profit) in a water conservation practices and policies to demonstrate
successful water reduction practices and educate businesses, students, and the
community on efficient equipment and water conservation strategies.

“We (the IGBA) see that there is a big focus on energy
efficiency, which can really provide significant savings, but water efficiency can
act in a similar manner,” says Cassie Carroll, Executive Director of the
Illinois Green Business Association. “Our Mahomet Aquifer is an extremely
important resource to Central and East Central Illinois. IGBA engaged in this
project because we need to all understand why our aquifer is important and how
to do our part in conserving this resource.”

Illinois American Water is supporting
eight watershed initiatives across the state through the company’s 2013
Environmental Grant Program. The recipients received a share of grant funds
totaling $34,943 for community projects that improve, restore or protect
watersheds.   

A panel of judges selected the grant from over
20 grant applications, which were evaluated on criteria such as environmental
need, innovation, community engagement and sustainability. 

“The Environmental Grant Program helps
local organizations carry out initiatives that benefit our watersheds, increase
awareness and promote community participation.” said Karla Olson Teasley,
president of Illinois American Water. 

The program has helped the IGBA achieve many aspects of its
mission, which is committed to improving
sustainable practices in Illinois
businesses through education and engagement. The Illinois Green Business
Association provides credible, measurable standards and practices to certify
that companies are more sustainable. Business owners need guidance, standards
and financial incentives by which to measure their options and progress, which
IGBA’s program provides.

For more information, please contact the organization at cassie@illinoisgba.org
or call (217) 531-2179. 

 

Our Green Business of the Week is Rogards Office Plus in Champaign!

Certified July 24, 2012 - Visit their Website

Rogards has been in business for over a hundred years. They are a member of the largest office supply buying cooperative in the world. Their global purchasing power allows them to pass savings on to you while the ease of this ordering site saves you time. Although the site has changed, you will find that you are still receiving the same personalized service for which Rogards is well known. They provide next-day delivery for over 35,000 items.

Rogards is committed to increasing recycling efforts. They now recycle a wide variety of items, including paper, plastic, glass, cans, cardboard, batteries (both single-use and rechargeable), CFLs, electronics, scrap metal, pallets, toners and inkjet cartridges, and will soon begin recycling pens. Rogards has reduced their waste by nearly 50% since starting the certification process! They use a number of other recycled content supplies, including paper towels, toilet paper, trash bags, post-it notes, paper bags, and chair mats. Rogards is also committed to reducing waste by reusing or recycling nearly 100% of incoming packing materials.

Rogards installed faucet aerators in their sinks and reduced water levels in their toilets to conserve water, installed more energy-efficient exit lights with the help of IGBA, and began converting to CFL bulbs. They completed an energy audit with the Smart Energy Design Assistance Center to pinpoint ways to continue reducing energy consumption in the future.

Rogards is committed to assisting other businesses in their efforts to adopt greener practices. They offer reusable/refillable office supplies, such as pens, pencils, calendars, and white boards, as well as recycled content paper and paper products, toners, chair mats, trash bags, and recycle bins. They offer bulk break room and bathroom supplies and non-toxic, biodegradable soaps and cleaners. They also carry unbleached paper products, rechargeable batteries, and compact fluorescent light bulbs, and make all these products easy to find in their Green Catalog.

Check out their certification white paper here!

 

The 2013 Summit was a great success -- THANK YOU to all the sponsors and exhibitors who helped make it happen, and special thanks to the Natural Capitalism Solutions for creating a great educational event for all of us.

Speaker PowerPoints from the eight sessions and workshops are posted on the Summit main landing page here.

Summit photos are up on facebook for viewing here.

If you couldn't make it or still want to support IGBA's efforts for a more sustainable Illinois, you can donate to our crowdfunding campaign: http://www.razoo.com/story/Illinois-Green-Business-Association

Thanks for being part of the change!

- IGBA Staff (Cassie, Mara, Anthony, and Ryan)

 

IGBA believes that green business can become the standard of what it means to do business in Illinois. The 2013 Summit is a forum for action in helping leaders from around the state come together and learn what it takes to transform their businesses & communities.   

The Illinois Green Business Association is searching for an independent contractor with both sales and equipment installation experience. 

Position Description: The Retrofit Installation Specialist works with businesses in the office, retail, restaurant, hospitality, and education sectors to install energy efficient equipment or perform basic energy audits as part of the incentive programs offered by electrical and gas utilities in Illinois. 

Locations: Positions are available in each of IGBA’s two current service territories:
• Energy Assessments - Champaign-Urbana and surrounding area
• Equipment Installations - Northwest region of Illinois (excluding City of Chicago)

Required Skills: The qualified candidate will have 1-2 years’ experience in direct product or service sales. Candidate must be able to utilize initiative to develop good relationships with customers, contractors, and suppliers. It is critical that productivity, timeliness and accuracy be demonstrated in performance of work. This position requires a valid driver’s license and physical ability to perform field energy assessments and/or installations of simple items (such as CFLs and spray valves). Additional preferred qualifications include proven skills in plumbing or electrical applications and experience managing multiple projects at once.

The candidate should have basic general knowledge of building lighting, life safety and electrical systems, and the energy efficiency industry. Must be highly motivated, well organized, self-starting, have strong written and verbal communication skills, and work well in a team setting. 

As an independent contractor, candidates are offered a high level of autonomy, work flexibility, and the opportunity to contribute to the welfare of the environment. This position is contract-based and is compensated based on commission. Candidates must successfully complete a drug screen.

Education: Two-year degree and a minimum of 1 year of relevant experience (such as general contracting, green buildings, energy efficiency programs, real estate marketing, direct sales, or in the building development/construction industry) preferred. High School degree with additional 4+ years of related energy efficiency or relevant experience might be considered. Excellent written, verbal, and customer communication skills are essential.

Interested parties: Please send your resume to Director of Program Development at IGBA, Anthony Santarelli, at Anthony@illinoisgba.com. 

 

The Illinois Green Business Summit 2013: Ingredients for Change registration is now OPEN! The event will be held on Tuesday, October 15th at the Tinley Park Convention Center, easily accessible from Chicago and both Central and Downstate IL, as it's right off of I-57.

Join us to discuss the “Ingredients for Change” – beyond the low-hanging fruit, what are effective sustainable practices, equipment, and strategies for greening your organization? Pave new paths and create new partnerships  by coming together at the 2013 Illinois Green Business Summit.

On October 14th, there will be an evening soiree and networking event to meet Summit attendees and learn even more about green business in Illinois. More details and schedule to come!

Our featured keynote speakers for the Summit will be announced soon – keep your eyes peeled!

Registration and Summit '13 landing page can be found here.

 

 

Last night was the first dinner fundraiser in the local community for IGBA -- thanks to Minneci's Ristorante in Champaign for offering to host!

Minneci's offered a special "low impact menu" with organic and locally sourced foods and low-prep impact (low natural gas use in oven), such as spinach tortellini, fettuccine alfredo, pasta arabiatta, and eggplant parmesan. On the back of the special menu Minneci's listed their electricity, gas, and water costs before and after working with IGBA's green certification, and they are currently reaping $397 in monthly utility savings!

Minneci's then listed on the back of the menu what green practices they have spent of their savings on: things like a tankless water heater, high efficiency light bulbs, recycled non-bleached paper products, a 15 SEER HVAC system, and ENERGY STAR rated equipment.

Thanks to the Green-Out, IGBA got funds to host several Green Drink events in the future. We hope to continue these fundraiser dinners at other restaurants!

 

IGBA has been recognized in a GreenBiz.com article featuring third party green certifications for businesses.

IGBA was given a 5/6 ranking, second highest out of nine nationally known third party certification bodies, for its “Trust Factor” – including factors such as cost, outcomes, and claim verification considerations for its certification program. 

The full article (published 2/21) can be viewed here:

http://www.greenbiz.com/blog/2013/02/21/how-get-real-green-certifications 

IGBA has won the 2013 Champaign County Innovation Celebration Award in the field of Social Entrepreneurship.

There were 28 nominees for ten awards. More than 200 people attended the awards ceremony, held in the National Center for Supercomputing Applications.

Read about the other winners >>

 

On a day showered in red and pink, how does one stay *green?* With IGBA's tips, thanks to our helpful interns, check out these 5 ways to spend this Valentine's Day *being thoughtful of both your sweetheart AND the environment!*

1. Save Trees -- Send an E-card!
According to Hallmark's website, "Approximately 151 million Valentine's Day cards are exchanged industry-wide (not including packaged kids' valentines for classroom exchanges)." To put that into perspective, if you were to line up every card purchased, they could reach across the United States AND back - that's a lot of cards, and a lot of trees! 

The Internet offers many great options to send free eCards, and here are a few we like: 
www.jibjab.com
www.care2.com
www.egreetings.com

2. Support Your Local Florist
Support your community by purchasing locally! Many large corporations use pesticides and other chemicals which damage the environment. In addition to promoting healthy working conditions, supporting sustainable gardening also helps your community by keeping the monetary circulation local. Don't have a local florist near you? There are many online businesses that work to provide eco-friendly flowers; to help get you started, here is a helpful list: www.justmeans.com.  

We are happy to announce that IGBA now has a fourth full-time staff member! Ryan Wolber will be the new Certification Manager to help service IGBA businesses through the certification process. Ryan is a LEED Green Associate and a graduate of Illinois State University, with degrees in Renewable Energy and Economics. He also worked as a Program Manager at the ISU Office of Sustainability and guided a carbon impact assessment for the entire University. His goal is to help businesses and communities realize the benefits of sustainability and help them adopt greener practices, and he hopes to do that in working with IGBA! We are so excited to have Ryan on board. 

Read about all the IGBA staff

 

One of the goals of the PlanItGreen Sustainability Plan for Oak Park and River Forest is to help local businesses achieve greater sustainability and improve profit margins by implementing green business practices such as energy efficiency, water conservation, and smart purchasing.

Oak Park and River Forest Businesses will have two options to make their businesses more sustainable in 2013, thanks to generous support from the Oak Park – River Forest Community Foundation. The two, year-long programs are slated to kick-off in January 2013 and will offer a total of 40 Oak Park and River Forest Businesses the chance to grow their businesses green. 

The Oak Park Development Corporation and Triton College, in partnership with the Illinois Green Business Association, are collaborating to implement these innovative pilot programs. Businesses that already incorporate sustainable practices into their operations are sure to be intrigued by the opportunity to become IGBA-certified. The certification requirements are in alignment with nationally-vetted standards, tailored to Illinois, and delivered by the Triton College Sustainability Center.

In this pilot program, certification fees are waived, but businesses will receive full certification upon completion of the requirements. Triton’s sustainability professionals will be there every step of the way, assuring that participating businesses will receive a personalized plan and hands-on consultation as they move toward completion.

Triton College is part of the Illinois Green Economy Network, Illinois community colleges working together to grow a greener economy in Illinois. For businesses that would like to learn more about this program, please contact the Triton College Sustainability Center at 708-466-4578, or contact IGBA. 

More on Oak Park River Forest Wednesday Journal >>

 

The Illinois Green Business Association is currently looking for talented, business and sustainability minded individuals to fill the position of Certification Manager. The Certification Manager is a new position for the IGBA that would focus on working with businesses, standards, and consulting/certification services for the IGBA Green Business Certification Program. Read the full description (PDF) >>

IGBA will be conducting a search between the months of November and December, with an intent to hire in the first quarter of 2013.

IGBA is no longer accepting applications. 

 

We are happy to announce a partnership that will help IGBA expand our reach to small businesses in the Central Illinois region.The Economic Development Council of Bloomington-Normal will soon be housing a part-time intern to help get businesses enrolled in IGBA’s green business certification program. 

The EDC of Bloomington-Normal “leads initiatives to help businesses and communities in the McLean County area prosper.” They would like to help bring GREEN BUSINESS to their community by providing in-house services to help businesses be more sustainable! 

IGBA is excited to expand to Bloomington-Normal and harbor services to create a more sustainable business community.  

 

You may remember that IGBA’s Direct Install Program has installed over 15,000 efficient faucet aerators in over 500 businesses in Central Illinois, as part of Ameren Illinois’ ActOnEnergy©Programs. Well, we aren’t stopping there! 

Partnering with Nicor Gas on their Small Business Energy Savings (SBES) incentives, IGBA has begun installing low flow pre-rinse spray valves in restaurant handwashing stations to save water! (What's even better than that? It's free!)

These new spray nozzles only run at 1.25 gpm whereas standard spray valves run around 4.0 gpm. These could save a typical small business $750 per year!

The Nicor Gas Energy Efficiency Program provides rebates and incentives to help businesses and residents save energy and money. For more information on efficiency programs and  small business rebates, click here! 

If you have a business in Nicor's territory and would like to sign up for a free installation, contact us!

 

The First Illinois Green Business Summit was a smashing success!! 

We heard Joel Makower from GreenBiz.com talk about the national green business scene and why telling your green story is important. Jim Hartzfeld of Interface Inc. talked about the transformation of a company widely regarded as one of the most sustainable manufacturers in the country, and how it affected their bottom line. Cassie Carroll presented the EVP of Busey Corporation and IGBA Board President Donald Schlorff with the 2012 Green Champion Award for his hard work with Busey and dedication to IGBA. 40 speakers on nine panels discussed practical sustainability practices -- the challenges of going green, and demonstrated examples of successes and benefits from industry professionals that can be replicated in your business. Speakers touched on reducing consumption, green certifications and technology, local purchasing, transformations in the food industry, financial incentive programs for sustainable projects, creating a sustainable company culture, and more. 

It was a great day for GREEN! Lots of new connections were made throughout the state, forging the way to better connectivity and collaboration in promoting sustainable business in Illinois.

See pics from the Summit on facebook! >>

 

Getting back to the grind of post-Summit life here at the IGBA office; PowerPoint presentations, videos, and pictures of the Illinois Green Business Summit to come soon!!

**We CANNOT THANK EVERYONE ENOUGH for helping make the First Summit such a huge success! From the attendees, our wonderful exhibitors & sponsors, to the volunteers, the planning committee, and IGBA board, this Summit truly took a dedicated [green] community to materialize. 

Joel Makower kicked it all off with an inspiring national perspective, of how green business is evolving to mean just "good business" and why we need to tell our company's sustainability success stories. During the three session times, attendees heard new information, old information that needs to be heard again, and *inspiring stories* that will help them return to their organizations with a renewed vigor. Panel moderators led great discussions the last half hour of each session, encouraging questions and real conversation. During lunch, Cassie Carroll from IGBA presented EVP Corporate Administration at Busey and IGBA Board President Donald Schlorff with the first IGBA Green Champaign award for his work with Busey and IGBA. Jim Hartzfeld talked about the Interface story and how "crazy" turned into great business, and how Interface continues to lead the way. 

Great networking and new interpersonal connections were made as people visited the many exhibitor booths and met new acquaintances during lunch and the two snack breaks. The entire atmosphere throughout the day was energetic and uplifting.

We hope Summit attendees return to their organizations with new ideas and greener thinking. The First IL Green Business Summit is a launching pad for greater things, and IGBA couldn't be more thrilled with how the day played out. We can't wait for 2013!

Sincerely,

The IGBA Team 

 

Mark Your Calendars! We can't wait for the Illinois Green Business Summit 2012 on September 7th. Great keynotes and over 40 speakers, over 20 exhibitors and sponsors, great food and networking opportunities.

Don't forget to mark your calendars and register! 

 

Join us this Saturday to celebrate Busey's tremendous achievement in earning green certification with IGBA corporation-wide! 

Also, in case you missed it on the morning news in Central Illinois, check out this clip on WCIA of Busey's EVP of Corporate Administration, Don Schlorff, on Busey's green initiatives and the state of green certifications in Illinois!

 

We are proud to announce that after almost two years of behind-the-scenes collaboration to assess all 44 of Busey's facilities in the Midwest U.S. and Florida, Busey is now a Certified Green Business with IGBA!

“As community members it is important that we look at improving our quality of life now and for the future. Taking a proactive approach to finding the best way to use our resources will allow us to meet this goal,” says Don Schlorff, Executive Vice President of Corporate Administration at Busey. “By carefully reviewing how we do business, we are making changes that positively impact our organization and also improving the communities we serve.” 

Read More on Busey's Commitment to Going Green>>

Watch a Video on Busey's Certification >> 

 read more ...

New Sponsors! Thanks to One Main Development and Ameren Illinois for sponsoring at the Bronze Level! Interested in becoming a Sponsor? >>

If you haven't heard about the Thursday night green networking event (Sept. 6th) at the LEED Platinum Business Instructional Facility at the the University of Illinois from 5:30-8:30 pm, it will be hosted by Gold sponsor Busey and is free & open to the public! We hope that you will be able to make it. 

If you're wondering what you'll be hearing about at the Illinois Green Business Summit, we've narrowed it down to three major themes.

Have a look at the topics: 

1) Where's the Green? Financing and Managing Sustainable Projects

• Incentives and Policies for Sustainable Business Programs: A Perspective from Ernst & Young
• Why Waste? How to Reduce Water, Energy and Material Consumption
• Private and Public Sector Financing Programs

2) Why Green Makes Cents: Green Business Certification

• Certification - Why it is Important for Economic Transformation
• Creating a Company Culture around Sustainability
• Integrating Green Technology: Current and Future 

3) Growing a Green Economy: How to Bring it Home

• Farm to Table: Transformations in the Food Industry
• Growing Green Economies in Illinois
• Sustainable Purchasing and Local Sourcing

Keep in the loop for more news and info about the session panelists! 

 

We're proud to have some great supporters of green business in Illinois working together to make the Summit possible. Meet the initial lineup of the Summit Sponsors:

Platinum Sponsor: The University of Illinois' Office of Public Engagement 

Platinum Sponsor: The University of Illinois' Academy for Entrepreneurial Leadership (AEL)

Gold Sponsor: Busey

AM Break: Illinois State University College of Business

PM Break: Radius Custom Solutions Group 

There's still time to get your business or organization on board and support as a Sponsor, too! Register here and feel free to call us at (217) 531-2179 anytime.

 

Last chance to get the early bird rate of $95 for registration to the first Illinois Green Business Summit! Early Bird rates end this Friday, 6/15.

You don't want to miss Joel Makower or Jim Hartzfeld speaking on September 7th on national green business trends and case examples, or to learn about sustainable local economies, green purchasing, financing sustainable projects, new tech and innovations, and green certification.

You'll also be able to network with other business leaders, municipal representatives, service providers and more... and try some local foods!

Read more about the Summit and don't forget to register to take advantage of this great opportunity!

 

IGBA now has a Green Tip in the Central Illinois Business magazine, a monthly publication that covers news, business, and sports in East Central Illinois. 

Read it here >>

Check back for next month's installment!

 

We are very excited to welcome not one, not two, but THREE new members to IGBA's Board of Directors! 

WELCOME Donald Fournier, recently retired Managing Director of the Smart Energy Design Assistance Center, Rebecca McBride, Senior Associate Director of Krannert Center for the Performing Arts in Urbana, and Marty Vanags, Executive Director of the Bloomington-Normal EDC and first non-Champaign County member of the IGBA Board. 

These three dynamic leaders will be joining the IGBA team to bring their expertise and assistance with cross-community collaboration, helping IGBA spread knowledge and offer a helping hand to businesses and organizations around the state. Read more about IGBA's Board here >>

 

The Illinois Green Business Association (IGBA) invites you to join us this September 6th and 7th to learn about the state of green business in Illinois and beyond.

Topics covered will include: financing your building and equipment upgrades, green business certification, resource conservation, green technologies, and local economies. 

Keynote speakers: Joel Makower of Greenbiz.com and Jim Hartzfeld of InterfaceRAISE

Joel Makower is executive editor of GreenBiz.com, author of Strategies for the Green Economy.

Jim Hartzfeld is Managing Director of InterfaceRAISE, the consulting and teaching arm of Interface – one of the most sustainable companies in America. 

Exhibitors and corporate sponsors wanted! Call Cassie Carroll at 217.531.2179 / cassie@illinoisgba.com  for more information.

Early bird rate: $95; $145 after June 15, 2012. Registration includes a one year partnership – read more

Call for proposals – if you’re a leader in sustainable business we want to hear from you!

Get Registered >>

 

Our website won Best DotNetNuke Non-Profit CMS Site at the 2012 CMS Expo! 

Thanks Accuraty Solutions for the great design and vision for our site. We liked the site anyway, but it doesn't hurt to have the judges like it, too!

 

Registration for the 1st Annual Illinois Green Business Summit hosted by the Illinois Green Business Association is NOW OPEN!

Hear from keynote speakers Joel Makower and Jim Hartzfeld, voices of business sustainability, and join us to discuss sustainability practices, challenges of going green, demonstrated and practical examples of successes from industry professionals that can be replicated in your business, and much more! 

You don't want to miss this amazing opportunity to network with other green business leaders and hear what resources are available for your business to become more sustainable. 

Register Now! >>

 

IGBA has installed a total of 13,605 faucet aerators and 356 LED exit signs with the Direct Install Program! In one month, 211 new businesses participated in Illinois. That's 3,187 new aerators installed and 326 LED exit signs in April. A very successful month!

This month's efforts will save a projected $83,000 and equivalent of over 533,000 60W light bulbs being left on all day, or 515 metric tons of CO2 from reduced water and heating. 

Faucet aerators reduce the water flow without reducing pressure, using less water and energy. Ameren Illinois projects that each aerator installed can save $150 per year! Installing the aerators can be done in every bathroom sink. 

If you know of any businesses that would be interested in this program, contact IGBA at (217) 531-2179.  

 

The Second Annual Go Green on Green Street! on Friday, April 27th, is a collaborative event with SIFE (Students in Free Enterprise) in the College of Business to help raise awareness of how to go green and involve businesses and students in making Champaign-Urbana campus a greener place. 

IGBA has also worked with LINC (Learning in Community, semester course in Engineering) students the past semester who have created the following three promotional & informational videos: 

• Go Green Promo Video 1 
• Go Green Promo Video 2 
• What is Go Green on Green St? (Interview on YouTube)

LINC students also created games and interactive activities for the day of the event, including facebook posts on the official facebook page, as well as a Scavenger Hunt with prizes donated from campus businesses! The Scavenger hunt encouraged all participants to interactively learn about the booths -- comprised of student groups, community organizations and UI entities -- and lastly but most importantly, learn about the participating businesses!!

Special  thanks to the following 26 campus businesses that installed efficient faucet aerators and LED exit signs with IGBA: 

1. April’s Florist 
2. Bo Bo China 
3. Burrito King 
4. Busey Bank
5. Campus Liquors 
6. Casablanca Kabab House 
7. Den Liquors
8. Doodles
9. Fat Sandwich Company 
10. Follett’s Bookstore 
11. Gameday Spirit 
12. Geovanti’s Bar and Grill
13. Green Street Realty
14. Hometown Pantry 
15. Illini Eyecare 
16. Lai Lai Wok 
17. Murphy’s Pub
18. Newlife Tattoos 
19. No.1 Wok (Installed Aerators)
20. Notes-n-Quotes 
21. One World Pizza 
22. Ron’s Locksmith
23. T.I.S. Bookstore 
24. That’s Rentertainment 
25. The Beef Stand 
26. Wonderdog’s Restaurant

The Illinois Green Business Association looks forward to continuing to promote green business practices in campustown Champaign and beyond, and work with students to promote interactive learning opportunities.

 

Keep the Earth Clean and Green this Earth Day! Come out on Saturday, April 21st with your old cell phones, monitors, printers and more to be properly recycled and all materials reused.

Mervis Industries, WICD and the Illinois Green Business Association are hosting this free event to reduce the amount of old electronics sent to landfills. Collection will be OPEN to the community from 9am-1pm on Saturday and held at the Atkins Building parking lot in Research Park, 1800 S. Oak, the SE corner of Oak and St. Mary's Rd.

Accepted Items:

- Computers, Servers and Network Devices
- Monitors (CRT and Flat Screen)
- Printers (Inkjet, Laser and All-in-One)
- TVs (CRT, Flat Screen and Projection)
- VCRs & DVD Players
- Stereos
- Copiers
- Cell Phones and Smart Phones
* We DO NOT accept speakers or microwave ovens.

Thanks to:
Mervis Industries 
WICD
Illinois Green Business Association

 

IGBA was spotlighted on goodWORKSconnect.org's website as a featured non-profit! 

Good Works Connect is an online resource for East Central Illinois non-profits. It provides free tips, instructional videos, and blogs on managing an effective organization. It is a great developmental tool and information hub.

For more information, check out their Facebook or Twitter Page!

 

It's time, once again, for our monthly green networking event in Champaign-Urbana! On Tuesday, March 27th, come to Crane Alley in Urbana from 5:30-7 pm, hear Eric Benson, Assistant Professor of Graphic Design at the University of Illinois, speak on  Re-Nourish, green design standards, and Fresh Press, an educational agri-fiber papermaking & design studio providing systemic design solutions for East Central Illinois.

Join us in listening to these fascinating presentations about design and natural paper! Bring a friend (there's free food!) and meet new people interested in sustainability.

We look forward to seeing you there! 

 

IGBA has installed 10,418 faucet aerators and 30 LED exit signs in 94 businesses in Central Illinois. 

This will save a projected $288,900 in costs and 2 and a half million kWh of energy (1660 metric tons of CO2) from reduced water and heating.

Faucet aerators reduce the water flow without reducing pressure, using less water and energy. Ameren Illinois projects that each aerator installed can save $150 per year! Installing the aerators can be done in every bathroom sink. 

If you know of any businesses that would be interested in this program, contact IGBA at (217) 531-2179.  

 

Taylor Studios, Inc., a company out of Rantoul, is an exhibit design and fabrication firm that assists museums and other clients in creating exhibits that are educational, creative, and built to last. Taylor Studios is committed to completing exhibits to the fulfillment of each client's unique needs, timelines and goals.... and they are going green!

Check out their blog post about IGBA's certification process!

Here a clip of what they had to say:  "One of the nice things about IGBA’s certification process is that they accept different types of verification to prove you have fulfilled particular requirements. Pretty much anything except anecdotes and rumors. So I’ve been busy taking photos of seemingly random items at the Taylor Studios offices. Take a look at this beauty:" (pic)

"Hey, the use of a window and a pretty ingénue makes this one practically a Vermeer! What this photo actually captures is how our staff makes use of natural lighting and task lighting instead of the (admittedly, harsh) overhead lighting. That and we don’t believe in carpet."

Read some more green posts from Taylor Studios!

 

This month's event will be just as exciting as last month! Thank you to those who attended our January event.

Our Second Green Business Networking event of the year will be on February 21st from 5:30-7 pm at Quality in downtown Champaign (110 N. Neil St, just north of the City building).We will be featuring free appetizers from local growers and suppliers.

Our featured speaker will be Dioxide Materials. They are a Research Park start-up and have recently been featured in the News-Gazette for being a finalist in the Clean Energy Challenge in Chicago. Dioxide materials is a company that develops materials for CO2 sensing and remediation that lower the carbon footprint of homes and businesses, while saving them money in the process. They will be speaking about their patent pending technologies that are featured in the Clean Energy Challenge. 

Come on out, bring a friend, and learn about emerging sustainability technology, but don't forget to network and taste some local foods. We look forward to seeing you there!

 

The Illinois Green Business Association is holding its first ever Green Business Summit on September 7th, 2012! 

We look to bring small to medium sized businesses, local and state governments, industry associations, Chambers of Commerce, green technology companies, utilities and more to some together and discuss the state of green business in Illinois, and provide businesses with the information and tools needed to implement green practices.  

Thanks to the Office of Public Engagement at the University of Illinois for being the first sponsor of the Summit.

Keep your eyes peeled in the coming months for information on how to sign up to attend or be an exhibitor. We will also be announcing our first keynote speaker within the next couple of months! If you would like to be part of a panel or volunteer in some capacity please also get in touch with IGBA.

The Illinois Green Business Association is pleased to be hosting this event to help grow green business in Illinois. Keep in the loop for news and more developments.

 

Happy New Year! With new partnerships in the wings, new businesses to certify, and a big announcement coming soon... the IGBA has an exciting year ahead, to say the least.

Last month, the IGBA held a Board Retreat to discuss the goals and strategies for the new year. We have set three major goals for the organization to focus on in 2012:

1) Deepen our knowledge on green business practices and certification programs

2) Refine and streamline certification program services 

3) Develop green business practice awareness locally and state-wide.

The IGBA strives to become the leader in green business practices and certification in Illinois, as well as provide the education and services necessary to achieve efficiency, cost savings, and environmental reduction through greener practices. 

We look forward to accomplishing these goals and showing tangible results on successfully implemented green practices, in working with small and medium-sized businesses. Remember to sign up for our newsletter on the right side of the screen for monthly updates!

Here's to a Greener 2012!

- Cassie, Mara, Anthony

 

Did you know? Beginning on January 1, 2012, electronic devices such as TVs, computers, monitors, printers, VCR/DVD players and more will be banned from Illinois landfills. The Illinois Electronic Products Recycling and Reuse Act includes both residents and businesses in the effort to keep heavy metals and toxic chemicals out of Illinois landfills. Everyone will need to find a location to take these items for proper recycling and disposal.  

Many large retailers now accept certain electronics for recycling. Also, check your local city's website for more information. For example, if you live in Champaign-Urbana, please view the Electronics Recycling Guide for C-U.

 

THANK YOU to those who attended our Holiday Party at Boltini Lounge on December 15th! We had about 50 people in attendance -- from partners, supporters, businesses in our program, and community members, it seemed like everyone came out to celebrate the holidays and ring in IGBA's third year.

Boltini provided delicious food -- HUGE Thank You to Boltini for their generosity. It made the night extra special, and delicious!

Check out some photos of the event on facebook. Thanks again for your support, and we look forward to a prosperous new year!

 

Thinking about going green this holiday season? Support IGBA and have a greener holiday by purchasing re-purposed holiday cards hand-made by the Illinois Green Business Association staff and interns. 

Materials for the cards were purchased from the I.D.E.A. Store, Central Illinois’ Premier Eco-Edu-Art Creative Reuse Marketplace. Contact us today about purchasing a pack -- a pack of 5 cards can be purchased for $10 ($2/card). Check out some of the cards on facebook!

 

The Illinois Green Business Association has partnered with Ameren Illinois ActOnEnergy® efficiency programs to provide Ameren Illinois customers with efficient faucet aerators for free. 

Faucet aerators reduce the water flow without reducing pressure, using less water and energy. The aerators provided by Ameren have a rate of flow of 0.5 gallons per minute, and Ameren projects that each can save $150 per year. Installing the aerators can be done in every bathroom sink in businesses or at home and is a sure way to cut down on energy and water usage.

So far, area hotels that have participated in the program are: Baymont Inn, Days Inn, Drury Inn, Country Inn & Suites, Courtyard Marriott, Hawthorne Suites by Wyndham, Hilton Garden Inn, Homewood Suites, Manor Motel, Microtel Inn, Quality Inn, and the Wingate Inn. In Urbana: America’s Best Inn, Comfort Suites, Eastland Suites Hotel & Conference Center, Holiday Inn Express, Lincoln Lodge, Motel 6, and the Sleep Inn. Danville hotels include the Danville Days Hotel and Danville Inn. Other area businesses are: C & A Inspirations, The Don Moyer Boys & Girls Club, El Toro, Fasprint, Jos. A Kuhns Co., Myers Drapery Services Inc, Record Swap, So Called Junk. Clark-Lindsay Village in Urbana also participated and has enrolled in IGBA’s green certification program.

IGBA has plans to reach many more businesses in the months to come. If you know of any hotels or businesses that might be interested in this free program, they can email anthony@illinoisgba.com or call (217) 531-2179.

 

As part of our mission to provide businesses with education on greener practices, IGBA Educational Programming interns will be giving a Lunch n' Learn seminar to award-winning website developers Accuraty Solutions staff and other employees in the M2 Enclave offices on November 17th.

Erica Tsang and Gloria Lin will present on how Pollution Prevention, Employee Transportation and Water Conservation relate to employees and the workplace. Lunch will be catered by Boltini. 

These presentations have also been tailored to highlight some of the green practices that Accuraty participates in as an enrolled business in IGBA’s green certification program. Presentations will be videotaped and then subtitled, so you will soon be able to view them on our YouTube page!

 

The Illinois Green Business Association has begun two fantastic partnerships with Illinois State University.  We have partnered with the Center for Renewable Energy and the Department of Technology to provide a capstone internship program for students to gain hands-on experience in green business. Projects will be tailored to the students' interests and focusing on energy and renewable energy systems. 

Currently, the ISU students are helping IGBA in the hotel industry through standards development, industry research, guest surveys, and running an actual pilot program with a hotel! The program has three students working with the IGBA but we look forward to growing the program and providing more students with those opportunities.

IGBA has also partnered with the College of Business and the Center for Emerging Entrepreneurship to build a consulting program where students would help businesses directly through the checklist, providing Bloomington-Normal businesses with hands-on support and resources. Businesses will be recruited for the program and students will be trained in the IGBA’s program and processes to best serve businesses. 

We look forward to working with ISU students this Spring to help spread the word about green business in the Bloomington-Normal area!