Please support our certified green businesses! These businesses are providing leadership in building a more sustainable business community throughout Illinois. Read on to learn some highlights from their certification.
(217) 531-2966 Highlights
(217) 531-2966
Certified October 9, 2013
Visit Website
(708) 848-1761 Highlights
(708) 848-1761
Certified October 21, 2013
(708) 386-1366 Highlights
(708) 386-1366
(217) 356-9606 Highlights
(217) 356-9606
(Champaign Office) Sustainability is not a new concept for BLDD. BLDD’s design professionals focus on creating buildings that responsibly utilize land, materials, energy and water during their construction and operate efficiently throughout their entire life cycle. BLDD in Champaign participates in the Adopt-A-Highway program, utilizes paperless and on-screen editing as much as possible, provides recycling bins for employees at every work station, offers reusable dishes and flatware for employees in kitchen area, re-purposes all boxes for shipping and utilizes web-based calendars.
Read a White Paper on BLDD's green efforts >>
(309) 452-8437 Highlights
(309) 452-8437
Certified May 10, 2013
The Economic Development Council leads initiatives to help businesses and communities in the McLean County area prosper. They have been a leader in engaging the community on issues pertaining sustainability and green business practices, having been an active member and sponsor for the Bloomington-Normal Community Sustainability Forum.
Mike O’Grady, Director of Government & Investor Relations and Interim CEO of the EDC, on his experience with the IGBA Green Business Certification Program:
We learned about cost saving practices we could implements in our office that also could be done in our homes, such as changing out the aerators on a faucet to save water, setting our printers so they default to two-sided printing. We also learned that it made good business sense to adopt new polices of operations. Overall, the experience working with the IGBA was interesting and educational.
Read more about their green efforts with IGBA's White Paper >>
(309) 862-9000 Highlights
(309) 862-9000
Certified February 15, 2013
Read more on the Marriott's green story with IGBA's White Paper >>
(217) 356-8926 Highlights
(217) 356-8926
Since working with the Illinois Green Business Association, they have installed faucet aerators and ceiling fans, and are currently looking at several renewable energy options to install on-site. Body N’ Sole also sponsors the Illini Marathon and assists with over 40 running/walking events in the area.
Read IGBA's White Paper of Body N' Sole's green efforts >>
Highlights
Certified October 16, 2015
Certified July 9, 2012
“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 a White Paper on Busey's corporate sustainability efforts >>
(708) 205-7044 Highlights
(708) 205-7044
217-384-8188 Highlights
217-384-8188
Certified May 22, 2014
MTD 101: We Are MTD introduces you to the services and facilities the Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District provides and operates. Riding public transportation provides more than just a means to a destination. Public transit saves money, promotes healthy lifestyles, helps the environment, and develops our communities.
(708) 383-4145 Highlights
(708) 383-4145
(309) 454-3169 Highlights
(309) 454-3169
Certified December 11, 2014
(708) 763-8380 Highlights
(708) 763-8380
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.
(217) 351-4100 Highlights
(217) 351-4100
Certified May 14, 2013
Founded in 1985, Gorski Reifsteck Architects is a regionally-based architecture firm in Champaign specializing in architecture, interior design and construction management services. They have a diverse work force of 13 people.
Gorski Reifsteck encourages its staff to embrace a green philosophy and to make sustainable decisions, and management has integrated green purchasing policies for more environmentally-friendly office products and equipment. New employees are educated on sustainable practices and procedures during orientation. Staff are conscious about turning off lights and equipment in unoccupied spaces and they have installed occupancy sensors in storage rooms. Staff also provide digital documents to contractors instead of printing paper copies. There are several recycling stations throughout the office and electronic editing and filing is encouraged.
Read more in Gorski Reifsteck's White Paper story >>
(708) 660-1443 Highlights
(708) 660-1443
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!
(708) 469-7618 Highlights
(708) 469-7618
Certified August 15, 2013
Green It Up! Gift Stop, formerly known as EcoManiacs, is an environmentally and socially conscious boutique. We specialize in toys, books, games, apparel, and accessories produced from recycled, eco-friendly, and sustainable materials. Located in busy downtown LaGrange IL, the Green It Up! team is committed to bringing the highest quality of eco-friendly toys and merchandise to the Chicagoland community.
Green It Up! Gift Stop is rapidly becoming known as the go-to teacher store for the early childhood set, regularly exhibiting our toys and more at Illinois childcare and educator conferences. We also host fundraisers for your organization and offer private parties, either in-store or at-home, with generous hostess incentives. Green It Up! Gift Stop, Where Fun and Sustainability Meet!
Like Green It Up! Gift Shop on Facebook!
(708) 725-7170 Highlights
(708) 725-7170
(217) 355-9411 Highlights
(217) 355-9411
The International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) is a professional non-profit organization dedicated to fostering a greater appreciation for trees and to promoting research, technology, and the professional practice of arboriculture. As an international tree arborist certification body, ISA wanted to “walk the walk” of being a green organization. Since enrolling in our green business program, ISA has implemented many new green company policies, has institute monthly sustainability education for its 35 employees ("Green Minute"), installed occupancy sensors and faucet aerators, and has sponsored several community-based programs such as Big Brother-Big Sister, A Woman’s Fund, TIMES Center for Men, Daily Bread Soup Kitchen, and the Arbor Day coloring contest for kids in Champaign-Urbana.
(217) 356-6547 Highlights
(217) 356-6547
(217) 333-8412 Highlights
(217) 333-8412
The Intermezzo Café, proceeds from which benefit the Center’s extensive artistic programming, have implemented many practices that help raise the consciousness of their customers and staff about their green efforts. Krannert Center’s Intermezzo Café purchases organic, shade-grown, fair-trade coffee. They incorporate organic foods as regularly stocked items and they also stock biodegradable to-go containers for customers. They only give napkins, condiments, and utensils for to-go orders upon request. They recycle cans, plastic, and glass. They also have stickers posted by the kitchen sink encourage employees’ wise water use!
Read more about the Intermezzo Café's green efforts with a White Paper feature >>
(773) 508-8852 Highlights
(773) 508-8852
Certified November 14, 2013
Loyola Biodiesel collaborates with classes to clean up fuel before it’s finished. They look forward to installing many sustainable improvements in their new facility – greenhouse with rainwater to wash the fuel and clean it with plants, then break it back down to water with nutrients to water the plants! They will be hearing the building with their process in the fall, and building on the geothermal system that will be in place!
Their product is already green – they turn glycerin, the bi-product of biodiesel, into soap, but hope to kick it up a notch. They will filter out more biproducts from the oil and give it to the organic research farm of the Loyola School of the Environment.
Loyola Biodiesel buys one of their process chemicals in 2-lb bottles, then cleans and refills them and labels them with soap! They don’t need to buy new containers for the soaps.
Their ultimate goal is to replace all of Loyola’s hand soap supply next year. Eventually, they would like to replace all cleaners and produce a new floor and countertop cleaner.
They reuse some of the 55 gallon drums to donate to art classes, that paint them and sell them to the community as rain barrels.
They also take old clothes that Salvation Army won’t accept and cut them up to make rags each year!
There are so many projects they can implement, and the greening process helps them continue to think along these lines to make the process even more efficient and streamlined. With IGBA’s certification, they can have an independent verification of green practices and grow more ideas to implement. They hope to shepherd the certification process to other student-run programs at the University, and pave the way for other businesses.
They want to promote themselves as a green business and they hope to see a larger IGBA presence in Chicago!
Certified December 12, 2014
Where we work: We work in East Central Illinois and in family member communities.We share a commitment to honor our heritage in East Central Illinois, where the Lumpkin family operated a business for more than 100 years. Fifty percent or more of our grant-making dollars are allocated to East Central Illinois and all of our community programs take place in this region with deep community involvement.A significant part of our grant-making takes place in family member communities across the country, encouraging family member engagement, and connecting our work in East Central Illinois to a rich diversity of ideas, experiences and perspectives.
How we work: We understand The Foundation's role as existing along a continuum - from responsive grant-making to the execution of our own programs that aim to spur innovation, foster leadership and encourage new approaches to old problems.We appreciate the special needs of the mostly small and rural communities where we work, and we do our best to leverage additional resources and enhance local philanthropy.We strive to be a learning organization. We believe in action, evaluation and continuous improvement. We support collaboration and build networks to support learning, develop understanding of issues, and encourage work across organizations and sectors.
(217) 531-2179 Highlights
(217) 531-2179
Certified August 21, 2013
The Enclave at M2 offers companies the ability to be small and dream big. Tenants enjoy shared reception and phone services, access to conference rooms and many other perks. But most importantly, they enjoy the freedom to pursue their dream with a singular focus while working with others in a dynamic office setting.
(708) 524-9668 Highlights
(708) 524-9668
(309) 636-3600 Highlights
(309) 636-3600
Certified November 6, 2013
Built in 1967, the nine-story Mark Twain Hotel in Peoria, Illinois has undergone massive renovations, transforming the once commonplace chain motel into Peoria's Premier Boutique Hotel. Its metamorphosis has produced an attitude and atmosphere which consistently surprises and delights guests seeking an oasis in Downtown Peoria, Illinois. Our guests are greeted by a style that is hip, yet warm and comfortable. Sink into the soft leather chairs, cozy up to the custom-built oak fireplace, and relax to the sounds of upbeat music and friendly conversation. Open up your laptop - you're connected. Grab a cup of Starbucks coffee in the library & relax. This is the Mark Twain Hotel and yes, you're still in Peoria.
(309) 829-6344 Highlights
(309) 829-6344
Certified April 25, 2014
Our organization has something for everyone with membership benefits that include: marketing opportunities, professional development, advocacy, healthcare solutions and much more!
Vision: The vision of the McLean County Chamber of Commerce is to be a vibrant, progressive business community that works together to make McLean County a great place to do business.
Mission: To support our members, the McLean County Chamber of Commerce promotes local commerce, advocates business perspectives, creates relevant programs, and establishes relationships for business success.
(309) 827-4055 Highlights
(309) 827-4055
(708) 386-6061 ext. 112 Highlights
(708) 386-6061 ext. 112
(708) 383-8005 Highlights
(708) 383-8005
Oak Park Township is now certified a green business through the IGBA Green Business Certification Program, which helps businesses go green across nine areas of sustainability. The program is funded by the Oak Park-River Forest Community Foundation and administered by Triton College.
(217) 352-7696 Highlights
(217) 352-7696
(708) 203-9337 Highlights
(708) 203-9337
River Forest Chocolates cares about the packing and products they use and strives to be a responsible consumer of resources. They have changed their everyday practices and procedures in the shop and trained new volunteers to follow them. River Forest Chocolates now uses less water, recycles more materials, turns down lights and turns off power draws when idle. They have considered many new green practices and assessed how their purchase and manage waste to make a difference in how they operate! They believe that many little things businesses do can make a big impact on the environment. They help educate customers of their responsible use and encourage other businesses to incorporate green information with the hope that they too can use the process in their everyday lives!
(217) 359-1795 Highlights
(217) 359-1795
Certified July 24, 2012
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.
Read a White Paper about Rogards' green efforts >>
217-239-2399 Highlights
217-239-2399
Certified May 20, 2015
Russ Rybicki is an Accredited Investment Fiduciary® specializing in Environmentally and Socially Responsible Investing. He has almost 15 years of financial advisory experience helping individuals and businesses work toward their financial goals while using sound investment strategies supporting the values that are important to his clients. Russ will sit down with you to help you clarify your goals, values, and risk tolerance using the Triple Bottom Line: People, Profit, and Planet.
Russ is a Founding Circle Advisor of SharePower Responsible Investing, Inc.™, a memberowned financial services firm specializing in Socially Responsible Investing with advisers based throughout the country. He is a registered representative with Cambridge Investment Research, Inc. Contact Russ to learn how he can help you reach your financial goals without undermining your aspirations for a better society.
Contact us!
russrybicki@emailsri.com
ndietrich@emailsri.com
Office of Supervisory Jurisdiction: 15 E Main St. Suite 114 Westminster, MD 21157 Russ Rybicki, AIF®, is a registered representative of Cambridge Investment Research, Inc. Securities offered through Cambridge Investment Research, Inc., member FINRA/SIPC. Advisory services through Cambridge Investment Research Advisors, Inc., a Registered Investment Advisor. Cambridge and SharePower Responsible Investing, Inc.™are not affiliated
(708) 660-9909 Highlights
(708) 660-9909
Incorporated in 2001, Seven Generations Ahead’s mission is to promote the development of ecologically sustainable and healthy communities. Seven Generations Ahead’s strength is in outlining how to proactively build green communities – not solely responding to environmental crises. SGA advocates for local community solutions to global environmental issues, and promotes clean, renewable energy; eco-effective materials and products; intelligent, sustainable building design; local, sustainable food; zero waste; and strategies designed to create ecologically effective communities.
(217) 416-0494 Highlights
(217) 416-0494
630-685-3000 Highlights
630-685-3000
Certified September 4, 2019
(217) 893-4874 Highlights
(217) 893-4874
Taylor Studios, Inc. (TSI) has had an active employee-driven recycling program for 7 years and the staff have clearly marked containers. The recycle plastic, cans, cardboard and glass even though the city doesn’t have an easily accessible recycling system.
The TSI building is the former site of a Wal-Mart.
They are looking more at office supplies and their main office supplier, Rogards Office Plus, is an IGBA green certified business and offers a green product packet.
The majority of their fluorescent lights are upgraded to T8s and are in the process of changing out the rest. They have programmable thermostats in office rooms, and they don’t have an HVAC system in the warehouse room, but just have fans or small heaters for employees if they are working out there when there are variable temperatures.
TSI has a green blog post every other week, and they are aiming to go paperless, but it’s a cultural change and workplace transformation that needs to occur! They are working on getting sign-off from employees to get hard copies, but they’re in the process!
TSI enrolled in IGBA’s green business certification program because it’s in line with the company mission and overall culture. They do a lot of work with nature centers and do a lot of educational work, so they’ve been exposed to sustainability for quite a while! IGBA, an independent third party source, can back their claims and help their processes, and they’re excited to tell their customers and community about it!
312-274-9000 Highlights
312-274-9000
Certified October 10, 2017
(217) 344-3872 Highlights
(217) 344-3872
Certified April 8, 2013
UBA set up a list of office supplies at Rogards Office Plus in Champaign that have recycled content so that when they call an order, Rogards (also a green certified business with IGBA) knows exactly which recycled product it is and has price quotes ready. UBA has saved money in the office by switching to a water pitcher and encouraging reusable water bottles -- cutting the expense of buying cases of bottled water ($10 a month in savings!) and reducing the amount of discarded packaging. They have also initiated an ink cartridge recycling program where businesses and individuals can drop off used cartridges with a business card to be entered into a quarterly raffle.
Read a White Paper on UBA's green efforts >>
(309) 454-1541 Highlights
(309) 454-1541
Certified July 15, 2013
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.
15,552faucet aerators installed
2,572metric tons of carbon emissions saved per year
Share some green!
Donate to IGBA via Network for Good to keep our programs running strong, and encourage expansion of our services!