Building Green Chicago Conference & Expo Highlights

Building on the popularity of its previous seminars, Index Publishing, in cooperation with USGBC Chicago, presented the Building Green Chicago Conference and Expo. The half-day event was a balance of showroom floor exhibiting the latest sustainable building products and educational seminars by top city officials and local leaders in the sustainability movement.
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Mandating Change in Illinois

By Danielle Wagner

The State of Illinois wants to demand more green from its buildings. The Illinois General Assembly recently passed the Green Buildings Act into legislation. The Act, effective as of July 24, 2009, mandates that state-funded building construction and major building renovation of state-owned facilities must obtain LEED, Green Globe or an equivalent sustainable building certification.
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Proving Mechanical Insulation’s Worth

By Brian Glynn

“Are you sure this enhancement is going to make a difference?”

If you work in green building design and/or construction, no doubt this is a question that you have had to answer at some point in your career. This is particularly true for those who work in the mechanical insulation industry. Read more

Q & A: Manny Flores Discusses a Greener Chicago

By Matt Baker

In just a few years, First Ward Alderman Manny Flores has made an impression on the local political scene. Formerly an aide to Congressman Luis Gutierrez and a prosecutor in the Cook County State’s Attorney office, Flores has made political transparency and environmental consciousness essential to his platform.
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Building on Green: MMPI’s 30-Year Dedication to Sustainability

Every Chicagoan knows The Merchandise Mart, the colossal and stately art deco gem that sits at the fork of the Chicago River branches. But not everyone knows its role in the green movement. MMPI, owner and manager of The Mart and its sister building, 350 West Mart Center, has been dedicated to creating sustainable environments for more than thirty years, a commitment that has awarded both buildings with LEED certifications.
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Putting the Pieces Together: Training the Next Generation of Green Pipefitters

By Kenneth Ruesken

Pipefitter Local 597 has been training members in the installation, maintenance and service of heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVAC/R) for over one hundred years. Since the inception of the green movement, they have focused their effort on training for the future.
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25 Case Studies: Evaluating Green Buildings After Construction

By Doug Widener

Building green is only the beginning. Without practiced operations and properly gauged utility use, a sustainably built structure is no different from its traditionally built neighbors. But with an understanding of operational issues, tenant behavior and maintenance practices, building owners and managers can implement ongoing changes that lead to improved building performance and sustainability over time.
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