Governor Ryan Announces "Green Illinois" Initiatives

Press Release - Thursday, April 27, 2000

GOVERNOR RYAN ANNOUNCES "GREEN ILLINOIS" INITIATIVES

CHICAGO --- Governor George H. Ryan today signed two executive orders establishing "Green Illinois", an ambitious environmental program designed to encourage local communities to preserve and protect the state's environmental resources.

Governor Ryan formed the Illinois Green Government Council and directed state government agencies to work together to promote environmental stewardship. He also authorized state agencies to enter into new partnership agreements with local communities to protect and sustain environmental resources.

"I am committed to improving Illinois' environment," Ryan said. "State government should be a model for environmental leadership and under our Green Illinois Government and Green Illinois Communities Demonstration Program, we will be.

"Just last week, to mark the 30^th Anniversary of Earth Day, I announced more than $1 million dollars in grants to help Illinois communities, businesses and organizations expand or establish recycling programs. Today, I reinforce that commitment to preserving our environment with these Executive Orders."

The initiatives were announced during a visit by Governor Ryan to Blaine School

in Chicago. The school has implemented an innovative recycling program with state funding.

"The efforts of the students and staff at Blaine School set an example for the kind of good environmental practices we will encourage at the state and local levels," added Ryan.

A Green Government Council—jointly chaired by Illinois Environmental Protection Agency Director Tom Skinner and Illinois Department of Central

Management Services Director Michael Schwartz—will be formed to reach across agencies and facilitate pollution prevention, waste reduction, and energy and other resource conservation efforts.

Also represented in the Council will be the Department of Commerce and Community Affairs, Department of Natural Resources, Waste Management and Research Center, Department of Agriculture and the Capital Development Board.

The Council will promote programs that not only enhance environmental protection but also save resources. The Council also will review state procurement guidelines to encourage more purchases of recycled content products. It is also charged with implementing an environmentally-sustainable technologies and products demonstration program, such as using printing inks and cleaners with reduced pollutants and installing more efficient lighting systems.

The Council will create an incentives program that recognizes or rewards

state employees for developing projects and/or work practices that prevent pollution or

conserve natural resources. It will also provide technical consultation and environmental education programs to state agencies and their employees.

The Green Communities Demonstration Program authorizes the Illinois EPA—in cooperation with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Illinois Department of Agriculture, Illinois Department of Commerce and Community Affairs and the Illinois Waste Management and Research Center—to enter into partnership agreements with three communities around the state to assist them in protecting environmental resources and enhancing their communities.

The communities will be asked to commit to a strategic planning process that identifies local environmental strengths, weaknesses and trends and creates a vision of

where the community wants to be in the future. They will be provided financial and technical support from Illinois EPA and the other participating state agencies in achieving their goals.

The partnerships will be based on broad principles of sustainability such as restoring critical ecosystems, using energy, land, water and resources efficiently and emphasizing environmental awareness and education.

"We are pleased to see Governor Ryan direct the attention and resources of state government to pollution prevention, said Lynn Padovan, executive director of the Illinois Environmental Council. "This is a goal the Illinois Environmental Council has long advocated."

 

 

 

 

Executive Order

Number 6 (2000) 

Executive Order Establishing the

Green Illinois Government Coordinating Council

 

WHEREAS, like other large businesses, manufacturers and service providers, state executive agencies generate waste products and consume large quantities of natural resources through their operation and the items they purchase;

WHEREAS, Illinois' economy and the health, safety and quality of life of its citizens are dependent on the careful stewardship of resources and utilization of environmentally-sustainable practices;

WHEREAS, state government can be a model for environmental leadership by implementing pollution prevention and resource conservation programs that not only enhance environmental protection, but also save taxpayers' money through reduced material costs, waste disposal costs and utility bills;

WHEREAS, state government can foster markets for emerging environmental technologies and products, and promote a culture of environmental sensitivity;

WHEREAS, a program of environmental education, demonstration projects and technical assistance is needed to better inform each executive agency about the opportunities and benefits of pollution prevention and resource conservation.

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT I

, George Ryan, by virtue of the power vested in me as Governor, do hereby establish the Green Illinois Government Coordinating Council (hereinafter referred to as "Council").

1. Purpose of the Council

. The purpose of the Council is to, cooperatively across executive agency jurisdictions, facilitate the incorporation of pollution prevention and resource conservation practices into government management and operations, including but not limited to source and waste reduction, energy efficiency, water conservation, recycling/reuse, green building design and environmentally-friendly purchasing.

 

2. Composition of the Council

. The Council shall include the Directors of the following agencies or their designees: Department of Commerce and Community Affairs, Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Natural Resources, Waste Management and Research Center, Department of Central Management Services, Department of Agriculture and Capital Development Board. The council shall be jointly chaired by the Directors of the Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Central Management Services or their designees. The Environmental Protection Agency shall provide administrative support to the Council.

3. Responsibilities of the Council

. The Council shall be responsible for the development of programs, plans and policies that prevent pollution and conserve natural resources throughout state government. The Council shall convene quarterly during the year and be responsible for the following:

a. Review of state procurement guidelines and development of recommendations for increasing acquisition of recycled content products and incorporating other favorable environmental attributes into the state procurement process, consistent with price, performance, availability and safety considerations. Such environmental attributes may include but are not limited to energy efficiency, water conservation, toxics use reduction, conservation of natural resources and waste minimization.

b. Creation of an incentives program that recognizes or rewards state employees for developing projects and/or work practices that achieve exemplary results in preventing pollution or conserving natural resources in government management or operations.

c. Implementation of an environmentally-sustainable technologies and products demonstration program that tests the viability of incorporating innovative pollution prevention and resource conservation practices into government management and operations. The Council shall consider a broad range of environmental technologies and products in implementing the demonstration program, such as: energy and water conserving products; paints, cleaners, printing inks and other chemical items that have reduced pollutants; office paper reduction practices; installation of more efficient lighting systems; use of renewable energy technologies and fuels; landscaping techniques that minimize unnecessary water usage; alternatives to mercury-containing medical products and equipment; integrated pest management procedures; and use of reusable shipping containers. On or before September 1 of each year, the Council shall prepare an annual report that summarizes program accomplishments and identifies issues of future importance.

d. Development of guidance materials to assist executive state agencies in identifying environmental impacts and evaluating practical actions to prevent pollution and conserve resources.

e. Designation of a team of engineers and technical specialists to provide information, training and on-site consultation to executive agencies on pollution prevention and resource conservation opportunities.

f. Creation of an educational program to help state employees understand the importance of environmental issues and the opportunities to use pollution prevention and resource conservation practices in daily decisions.

g. Identification of sustainable and energy-efficient design criteria for new and renovated building space.

4. Responsibilities of State Agencies.

a. Each executive agency shall form an internal committee to assess the environmental impacts of its activities and identify practical alternatives for incorporating pollution prevention and resource conservation into agency management and operational practices. The committee shall consist of representatives from different departments and program areas, including purchasing, maintenance and facility management. A chairperson shall be appointed to coordinate committee activities and act as liaison to the Council.

b. On or before March 1 of each year, each executive agency shall submit to the Council a list of any pollution prevention or resource conservation projects that were implemented in the previous calendar year. The Council shall assemble the individual agency projects and submit them, together with an executive summary, to the Governor before September 1 of each year.

c. All executive agencies under the Governor's jurisdiction shall cooperate fully with the Council and provide assistance and information as needed to carry out its functions effectively.

d. Independent agencies shall be invited to participate in the Council's efforts to foster pollution prevention and resource conservation practices throughout state government.

5. Effective Date.

This order shall take effect immediately.

6. Termination Date. This order shall remain in effect unless revised or rescinded by the Governor.

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Executive Order

Number 7 (2000)

 

Executive Order Establishing the

Green Illinois Communities Demonstration Program

 

WHEREAS, since our air, land and water resources are linked together in sustaining all life and that integrated planning and management methods that recognize the interconnectedness of natural processes can provide better environmental protection;

WHEREAS, collaborative processes which bring together people, organizations, businesses and government can foster an improved understanding of environmental problems and development of common goals;

WHEREAS, community-based strategies that build common purpose, integrate environmental objectives with other local concerns and encourage greater public involvement can bring about creative environmental protection solutions;

WHEREAS, state environmental agencies can provide tools, information and support in assisting communities to develop integrated, cooperative environmental programs;

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT I

, George Ryan, by virtue of the power vested in me as Governor, do hereby establish the Green Illinois Communities Demonstration Program to facilitate and support community-based environmental protection strategies that bring together diverse interests, address environmental problems in a holistic and collaborative manner and encourage interaction among and within government agencies.

1. The Illinois EPA, in cooperation with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Illinois Department of Agriculture, Illinois Department of Commerce and Community Affairs and the Illinois Waste Management and Research Center, is directed and authorized to enter into partnership agreements with three communities in the state that wish to build their capacity to protect the environment while enhancing community well-being.

2. In selecting communities to participate in this demonstration program, the Illinois EPA shall ensure participation by communities of different sizes and characteristics. The program shall, to the greatest extent practicable, advance the following broad principles of sustainability: restoring critical ecosystems; achieving a cleaner, healthier environment; protecting and enhancing wildlife habitat and natural areas; using energy, water and other resources efficiently; reducing reliance on non-renewable resources; expanding environmental awareness and creating quality, prosperous communities. For the purposes of this program, the term "community" can mean one or more local governments, a neighborhood within a large city, an appropriately-scaled watershed or ecosystem, or some other specific geographic area with which people identify or share common interests.

3. To qualify for participation in the Green Illinois Communities Demonstration Program, a community must commit to a strategic planning process that assesses local environmental strengths and weaknesses; identifies key environmental trends; creates a public vision and goals of what the community wants the local environment to be in the future; and develops strategies for realizing the environmental vision and goals. The planning process shall be designed to involve participation from broad segments of the community.

4. Upon selection for participation in the Green Illinois Communities Demonstration Program, the community shall receive the following benefits: financial support to facilitate planning and outreach-related programs, technical support in identifying and assessing community environmental conditions; timely notice, priority consideration and expedited review for state funding initiatives; technical, networking and peer-to-peer informational assistance; and assistance in seeking and leveraging federal and private sector funding sources.

5. Beginning September 1, 2001, and each year thereafter, Illinois EPA shall provide to the Governor a report regarding successful and unsuccessful elements of this demonstration program, including recommendations for executive action to modify or repeal the program. Illinois EPA shall also prepare a compendium of innovative environmental protection strategies developed by the demonstration communities that can serve as models for other communities in the state.