Illinois Green Alliance

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Illinois Green Alliance

Illinois Green Alliance is a nonprofit membership driven organization that advances buildings and communities that are sustainable, prosperous and healthy.

We achieve this through education, advocacy, and collaboration.

09/02/2026

Data centers are getting more efficient. But is efficiency enough to keep pace with their growth?

As AI-driven demand accelerates data center growth, advances in energy and water efficiency are only one part of a much bigger sustainability conversation.

In our recent webinar, Inside the Data Center Boom: Insights From Research, Design, and Policy, Northwestern University’s Mohammadreza Heidari joined experts from design and local government to dig into what that growth means in practice. How much energy and water are data centers using? How is design changing? What role can local policy play? And where does greater efficiency still fall short?

Watch the full webinar for a closer look at what the data center boom means for Illinois and the built environment: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NCtTfb77UJI

09/01/2026

Two Illinois projects are among just three finalists for AIA Chicago ’s 2026 Decarbonization Award, and both have connections to the Illinois Green community!

Tom Bassett-Dilley Architects, Ltd. Midcentury for the Next Century, a deep-energy retrofit in Arlington Heights, joins HED The Conservatory Apartments, a high-performance affordable housing development in Chicago that Illinois Green has previously featured. We’re especially excited to see longtime Illinois Green supporter Tom Bassett-Dilley and his team at TBDA back among the finalists this year.

The Decarbonization Award recognizes projects that go beyond baseline energy reduction goals while still meeting the functional and aesthetic goals of the design.

Congratulations to TBDA, HED and all three of this year’s finalists on the well-deserved recognition! Winners will be announced at Designight 2026 on October 1.

08/27/2026

Join us in celebrating Twyla Neely-Streit on her four-year anniversary with Illinois Green Alliance!

As our Program Associate, Twyla coordinates two key components of our work: Green building education and the Illinois Green Schools Project.

Twyla sees our webinars and other educational events through from concept to ex*****on, helping our members keep up to date on green building best practices and techniques. She also guides students, teachers, mentors, and communities along their sustainability journey through the Illinois Green Schools Project. Last year, this effort helped 118 teachers and 1,963 students take part.

To accomplish all of this, Twyla leads an incredible group of our members who volunteer their time and expertise as Programs Committee members or green schools mentors.

Reach out to Twyla to learn more about our educational programs or the Illinois Green Schools Program. Thank you for all you do Twyla!

08/26/2026

Meet Our Newest Team Member: Jace Henderson

Jace is joining the team as our new Marketing and Design Associate! We're excited to have his help to tell the story of Illinois Green's organization’s work and connect members, partners, and the broader community with resources, events, and opportunities to get involved. Jace's work will span digital communications, social media, storytelling and design, with a focus on making complex information clear, engaging, and useful.

Jace brings a background in communications and marketing, with experience developing content and creative strategies across digital platforms. At Illinois Green, he works across teams to strengthen how the organization communicates its programs, policy work, events, and impact. Outside of work, Jace enjoys art, music, film, and theater, — really, all things media — and spending a nice day in the city.

Join us in welcoming Jace to the team!

08/22/2026

How can small firms change the trajectory of workforce development in the building industry?

In this episode of the Building Energy Pod, Matt Watson sits down with Chyanne Husar to explore both the formal and informal ways that her firm, HUSARCH, is growing the green workforce.

Mentorship plays a crucial role in Cheyenne’s vision for workforce development. She advocates for rethinking what entry-level positions can look like, emphasizing that experience in the field often outweighs formal education. By developing training programs that leverage the skills of seasoned professionals, HUSARCH aims to create pathways for individuals to enter various professions within sustainability and energy efficiency.

Listen in here: https://buildingenergypod.podbean.com/e/chyanne-husar-sustainable-buildings-and-the-workforce-pipeline/

08/18/2026

Tickets for our annual Getting to Zero Tech Forum are now on sale! You won't want to miss this unique event, which features a collection of five-minute, fast-paced presentations by a diverse array of industry experts, showcasing cutting-edge advancements in building technology that drive sustainable and regenerative approaches to the design, construction, and operation of the built environment.

Following these flash talks, all presenters will join attendees at a networking reception on the Old Post Office North Meadow rooftop, offering the opportunity for engaging discussions over food and drinks about the future of building science and the possibilities for cross-sector collaboration.

Secure your spot here: https://www.illinoisgreenalliance.org/net-zero-buildings-illinois/getting-to-zero-tech-forum

08/14/2026

A new Fulton Market development is about to become a gamechanger for green buildings in Chicago.

410 N Elizabeth, which just broke ground in late July, will become the first all-electric, geothermal powered skyscrapers in Chicago!

The first building in the project is a 33-story, 383-unit apartment building that features a geothermal energy system which powers more than 80% of it's heating, cooling, and hot water demand. This system and other energy efficiency features will reduce energy use by around 60%, costs by 25% and carbon emissions by 30%.

“We should ask ourselves how a building can use less energy and place less strain on the grid. Consistently, that should be the standard,” said Ald. Walter R. Burnett (27th).

We salute Tree Street Group on their vision for healthier, more efficient, more sustainable development and hope projects like 410 N Elizabeth become the standard in Chicago.

Read more here: https://chicago.suntimes.com/real-estate/2026/07/28/developers-break-ground-on-chicagos-first-all-electric-geothermal-apartment-tower

08/13/2026

Are you interested in pursuing sustainability at your school?

The Illinois Green Schools Project (IGSP) is an annual sustainability action and recognition program for K-12 schools in Illinois. Illinois Green helps educators engage students and school stakeholders in hands-on projects that improve health, building efficiency, and environmental impact.

If you are a K-12 staff or faculty member with a passion for the environment and student stewardship opportunities, join the cohort of schools who are implementing sustainability projects with educational tools and mentor guidance!

Want to become a green schools mentor? Green Schools Mentors are matched with schools participating in the Illinois Green Schools Project, to help them investigate, plan, and implement a yearlong sustainability initiative. Mentors should have experience in sustainability and/or green building, and typically have professional backgrounds in architecture, engineering, sustainability consulting, design, building, and more.

Learn more here:
https://www.illinoisgreenalliance.org/illinois-green-schools-project-home

08/12/2026

We are excited to partner with Facades+ in Chicago on September 17! This year's all-new programming will feature the latest developments in building enclosure design and technology. We hope you can attend this not-to-be-missed event and be inspired by excellent presentations and discussions about emerging Facade engineering and fabrication trends.

And don't miss our Deputy Director Katie Kaluzny who will be taking part in a panel discussion titled "Optimizing Facades for Illinois Stretch Code"!

This year's themes will explore:
Organic Facade Design in Landmark International Projects
Design-Assist vs Delegated Design: Collaborative Evolution
Code changes for greater wellness: Illinois Stretch Code
Embodied Carbon and Facade Optimization
Our Illinois Green community also receives special prizing! Use discount code IGA20 for 20% off all admission tickets.

To learn more, view the full agenda and register at https://facadesplus.com/chicago26/.

08/11/2026

Last week, nearly 200 members of the Illinois Green community joined us to soak up the sun and views during the return of our summer Boat Cruise Social!

This was such a fun way to meet new friends from across the building industry and celebrate the progress we’ve made toward building a more sustainable and resilient future for all Illinois communities

Many thanks to our sponsors at Stantec, Interface, The Mart, AT Mechanic, DLR Group, and Allen + Shariff for making this event possible.

Address

180 N. LaSalle Street #2210
Chicago, IL
60601

Website

http://www.illinoisgreenalliance.org/

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