Initiatives for Illinois

LocalityInitiative TypeMitigation StrategyLink Exit EPATitle & DescriptionDate
ChicagoBuilding CodeCool RoofsChicago Energy Conservation CodeChicago Energy Conservation Code - Chicago's energy code contains a section on "Urban Heat Island Provisions", which sets out requirements for both solar reflectance and emissivity for low and medium sloped roofs. In January 2003, the City of Chicago amended its energy code to require roof installations on or prior to December 31, 2008, to meet a minimum solar reflectance of 0.25. The amendments apply to most air-conditioned buildings with low-sloped roofs. After December 31, 2008, contractors must use roofing products that meet or exceed the minimum criteria to qualify for an ENERGY STAR label.Active
ChicagoDemonstration Project; ProcurementGreen Roofs; Trees and Vegetation; Cool PavementsGreen Alleys


Green Alleys Handbook (PDF) 		Chicago Green Alleys - Chicago, after the success of a demonstration project using permeable pavement, began a Green Alley initiative to use permeable pavement any time it needs to re-pave an alley. Forty-six alleys were renovated under this initiative in 2007; ultimately almost 2,000 miles of alleyways will be made permeable. The Green Alley Handbook notes that "if all the alleys had a light, reflective surface (high albedo) that reflected heat energy, [they would stay] cool on hot days and thereby reducing the "urban heat island effect." The handbook also mentions the heat island reduction benefits of shade trees and green roofs.Active
ChicagoDemonstration ProjectCool PavementsAlley Reconstruction (PDF)Cool Paving Demonstration Alley - In the fall of 2001, the Chicago Department of Environment reconstructed an asphalt alley using a permeable system. Using a porous gravel structure the city was able to eliminate formerly chronic flooding without using the sewer system, while reducing the heat island effect by eliminating dark, heat absorbing surfaces. This paving can absorb 3 inches of rainfall per hour, allowing rainwater to soak into the ground and reducing polluted runoff and flooding.Completed
ChicagoDemonstration ProjectGreen RoofsCity Hall Rooftop GardenChicago's City Hall - The City of Chicago installed a green roof on its city hall that includes 20,000 plants, shrubs, grasses, vines, and trees. The city expects to save directly more than 9,270 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per year of electricity and nearly 740 million British thermal units (Btu) per year of natural gas for heating. This energy savings translates to about $3,600 annually, and savings will increase with higher energy prices. In addition to assessing energy impacts, the green roof has been designed to test different types of rooftop garden systems, success rates of native and non-native vegetation, and reductions in stormwater runoff. This city hall green roof has helped to raise the visibility of green roofs and to increase public understanding of them. Chicago's Department of Environment staff has frequently given presentations about the roof, which has won numerous awards.Completed
ChicagoIncentiveCool Roofs; Green RoofsGreen Roof & Cool Roof Grants ProgramsChicago Roof Grants Programs - Chicago has established green and cool roof grant programs for residential and commercial buildings. In 2005, the first year of the green roof grants program, the city supported 20 green roof installation projects; in 2006, it helped fund 40. In the fall of 2007, the city announced that it was expanding the program to include cool roofs and expected to provide about 55 $6,000 grants.Active
ChicagoResearch; Demonstration Project; Building Code; Outreach and Education ProgramCool Roofs; Green Roofs; Trees and Vegetation; Cool PavementsUrban Heat Island MitigationChicago Urban Heat Island Mitigation Program - The City of Chicago's Department of the Environment has been involved with reducing urban heat islands for several years. Some projects Chicago has conducted include constructing a porous pavement alley, revising the city's building code to require cool roofs, and launching a green roof program.Active
ChicagoResearch; Outreach and Education Program; IncentiveGreen RoofsGreen RoofsChicago Green Roof Program - The City of Chicago's Department of the Environment has launched one of the strongest green roof efforts in the United States. Through this program the city has been constructing green roofs on public buildings, doing research to estimate impacts from green roofs, providing grants to encourage green roof installations (see entry on Chicago Green Roof and Cool Roof Grants Programs), and educating the public about green roofs in general.Active
ChicagoTree and Landscape OrdinanceTrees and VegetationChapter 17-11 Landscaping and Screening (PDF)Chicago Landscape Ordinance - Chicago has a landscape ordinance that requires planting trees or shrubs on parkways and landscaping parking lots, loading docks, and other vehicular use areas, both within the sites themselves and to screen their perimeter. The ordinance applies to most new building construction, as well as repairs, remodeling, and enlargements of a particular size and cost. The Bureau of Forestry, which maintains the standards, must inspect and approve all parkway vegetation prior to planting. The Chicago Department of Zoning reviews all building and zoning permit applications to ensure compliance with the ordinance.Active
ChicagoUrban Forestry Program; Tree and Landscape OrdinanceTrees and VegetationLandscaped MediansChicago Landscaped Medians Program - Chicago has more than 65 miles of landscaped medians on arterial streets throughout the city. The Chicago Transportation Department plants trees and other vegetation in medians to reduce the urban heat island effect as well as to provide scenic landscaping.Active
EvanstonComprehensive Plan and Design GuidelinesCool PavementsDesign Guidelines for Planned Developments (PDF) City of Evanston Design Guidelines for Planned Developments - The City of Evanston, Illinois, includes permeable pavements in its assessment of green buildings.Active

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