The Chicago Energy Code Turns Ten
December 15, 2011 by Matt Baker · Leave a Comment
By Linda Seggelke
Ten years ago, the city of Chicago introduced its Energy Conservation Code, based largely on the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC). The 2001 Chicago Energy Code was written to increase savings by lessening energy drain both commercially and residentially.
In that time, it has been revised twice: in 2006 and 2009. These revisions have seen some modest gains in efficiency. The 2009 edition, for example, contains a 15% increase in overall energy savings beyond the 2006 book.
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Slow Down in the UK: A Chicagoan in London
December 15, 2011 by Matt Baker · Leave a Comment
By Valerie Miller
Photo: Valerie Miller
It may sound noble. I could say I wanted to take a stand for energy consumption but the truth is, I live in London and all of this is normal. No one has dryers (or very few). People look at me a little funny when I ask for a plastic bag at the checkout and since December 2010, people have rented a bike 8,811,527 times instead of driving to work.
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Chicago’s Own High Line: The Bloomingdale Trail
December 15, 2011 by Matt Baker · Leave a Comment
By Jon Sedey
Photo: David B. Gleason
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The John Marshall Law School Offers New Certificate in Sustainability Law
December 15, 2011 by Matt Baker · Leave a Comment
By Matt Baker
The John Marshall Law School
The school offers JD and other graduate degrees in a variety of curricula, such as property law, trial advocacy and legal writing; U.S. News & World Report recently ranked the institution sixth in the nation in this latter category. Starting in January 2012, JMLS will now also offer a new JD Certificate in Sustainability Law through its Center for Real Estate Law.
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New Ordinance Encourages More Urban Farming
September 28, 2011 by Matt Baker · Leave a Comment
By Jon Sedey
A new zoning code, approved at the last council meeting, will promote the expansion of community gardening and urban agriculture within the city boundaries.
The amendment, first introduced by Mayor Rahm Emanuel in July, recognizes urban farming and allows citizens or companies to apply for building permits and zoning approvals to help establish foundations in the urban agriculture sector. The ordinance legalizes urban farming of vegetables, fruits and fish and will permit owners to sell what they raise.
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Chicago River Improvements Include New Boathouses, Pollution Controls
September 21, 2011 by Matt Baker · Leave a Comment
Click to enlarge.
Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced on Monday a plan to enhance the Chicago River’s recreational appeal. The future development would be grounded by four new boathouses, several new boat launches, expansion of riverfront trails and pollution controls of the famed waterway.
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Green Building Goes Back to School
September 14, 2011 by Matt Baker · Leave a Comment
By Matt Baker
Federico Garcia Lorca Elementary, which opened in the Avondale neighborhood last year, features a vegetated roof over half of the school.
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Local Wholesale Produce Distributor Aims to Reinvent LEED Standards
September 14, 2011 by Matt Baker · Leave a Comment
By Jon Sedey
Situated in the Back of the Yards Neighborhood in Chicago’s Stockyards Corridor sits what many hope to be the pioneer in the food service distribution sector. Testa Produce, Inc., an independent wholesale produce distributor, opened its doors to their new, 91,000 square foot, $23 million facility.
On track to become the nation’s first LEED Platinum food distribution facility, everything from the parking lot to the food refrigeration system is a result of President and owner Peter Testa’s vision. “Part of being in the agricultural business is to have a responsibility to take care of the earth a bit better,” said Testa.
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Where are All the Green Jobs?
September 14, 2011 by Matt Baker · Leave a Comment
By Matt Baker
In the last decade, green jobs have been viewed as a panacea for this country’s ails. They have the power not only to curb climate change and shrink the amount of foreign fuel imported into the United States, but to create jobs that might not otherwise exist. And of course, all of these benefits are also the first lines of defense for national security.
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Emanuel Looks to Clean Up Chicago Recycling
September 14, 2011 by Matt Baker · 2 Comments
By Susanna Weatherford
The City Council adopts the goal of making regular recycling service available by July 1, 1993, to 100 percent of the households in low-density dwellings served by the City of Chicago.
So begins the section of the Chicago Municipal Code regarding regular recycling service. To put that in perspective, Chicago Bulls fans were wearing out the word “threepeat” in July of 1993, the Unabomber was still on the loose and David Letterman was preparing his switch from NBC to CBS.
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