title
PROPOSED RESOLUTION
RESOLUTION TO ENGAGE WITH THE ILLINOIS GREEN ALLIANCE UNDER THE 2025 LEED FOR CITIES CERTIFICATION COHORT
WHEREAS, under Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle’s leadership, Sustainable Communities is a pillar of the Cook County Offices Under the President Policy Roadmap Strategic Plan, to support healthy, resilient communities that thrive economically, socially and environmentally by prioritizing efforts that reduce the County’s climate impact, improve the resiliency of communities, reduce pollution and support green infrastructure; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Environment and Sustainability (DES) works across the County to foster healthy, resilient and thriving communities by improving the quality of life, protecting the environment and promoting sustainability and environmental justice for all Cook County residents and stakeholders; and
WHEREAS, the Bureau of Asset Management has coordinated actions across the County in an effort to meet the goals outlined in the Cook County Clean Energy Plan including pursuing renewable energy efforts, reducing emissions in Cook County buildings and improving efficiency; and
WHEREAS, the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), the leading authority on green building and the global developer of the LEED green building program, has announced Cook County was selected as one of 16 local governments that will participate in the 2025 LEED for Cities Certification Cohort (Program); and
WHEREAS, the Program supports efforts from local governments across the country to maximize efficiency, resilience, health and quality of life for residents, and USGBC helps cohort participants build plans and capacity to achieve sustainability goals, including LEED for Cities Certification; and
WHEREAS, the Program aims to equip local leaders with the tools they need to be successful in advancing green building and sustainable development practices in their communities and accelerate progress on sustainability and climate action in cities, towns and counties across the United States; and
WHEREAS, the Illinois Green Alliance is a membership-driven, community centered nonprofit that works collaboratively to promote green buildings and sustainable communities for all; and
WHEREAS, the Illinois Green Alliance has volunteered to assist the County, at no cost, in collecting, reviewing, and compiling data that is helpful to complete the LEED Certification process, according to terms set forth in a Memorandum of Understanding; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Cook County Board of Commissioners does hereby authorize DES to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Illinois Green Alliance, on a no cost basis, to further the County’s participation in the 2025 LEED for Cities Certification Cohort; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Cook County Board of Commissioners hereby authorizes the Director of the Department of Environment and Sustainability or its designee to modify the agreement based upon need and utilization.
end