Illinois government is going green  and so can you!

The State of Illinois administers many environmentally friendly programs. State agencies  and their websites  can help you green your home, your business and your community.

Resources for Businesses, Homes, Community Organizations and More& Solar Energy Rebate Program

Every spring, the State accepts applications for the Solar Energy Rebate Program from homes and businesses. This DCEO program provides 30 percent of eligible costs up to $10,000 for the installation of solar thermal or solar photovoltaic (electric) equipment. Federal tax credits for up to 30% of the cost of solar energy systems are also available! To apply, visit www.illinoisenergy.org

Small Business $mart Energy Program (SB$E)

The Small Business $mart Energy (SB$E) program provides energy efficiency technical services for small to medium sized for-profit businesses. The technical services identify opportunities for energy savings through intelligent building design and efficient building components and systems. For details, visit www.illinoisenergy.org

Smart Energy Design Assistance Center (SEDAC)

The Smart Energy Design Assistance Center (SEDAC) provides advice and analyses enabling facilities in the State of Illinois to increase their profitability through the efficient use of energy resources. The free technical services can identify opportunities for energy savings through intelligent building design and efficient building components and systems. For more details, visit http://smartenergy.arch.uiuc.edu or www.sedac.org

Green Supplies

Illinois government has built green requirements into contracts for office furniture, copiers and cleaning supplies, via the Department of Central Management Services: fully half of our cleaning vendors now use Green Seal-approved products in State buildings, and the other half will start doing so this year. You can buy green, too: view our contracts at

www.cms.il.gov/green

Green Your Space Database

The State created a database of green building suppliers and products for its first green lease - a lease whose landlord agrees to conform to green building practices which promote environmentally responsible construction and disposal methods plus energy-efficient practices that reduce building energy use and costs. Illinoisans can use the list to green homes and offices: visit www.cms.il.gov/green

Illinois Recycling Grants Program

The Illinois Recycling Grants Program provides technical and financial assistance to communities, businesses, and not-for-profit organizations collecting and processing recyclable materials. This DCEO program issues requests for applications to fund traditional (fiber, metal, glass, and plastic) recycling collection and processing efforts. The program also issues requests-for-applications to fund other items, with a recent focus on computer and electronics recycling.

Additional information is available on the DCEO website, www.illinoisrecycles.com

Green Fuel

Illinois has become a recognized national leader in using E-85 ethanol, biodiesel and flexible-fuel vehicles after the Governor directed State agencies to use cleaner-burning, domestically produced biofuels. To locate Illinois gas stations that offer E-85, visit www.illinoisgreenfleets.org

Illinois Alternate Fuels Rebate Program

Illinois EPA offers rebates for alternate fuel vehicles, conversion systems, or alternate fuel purchased from an Illinois company or vendor. Eligible fuels include E-85, Biodiesel, natural gas, propane, electricity, and hydrogen. To apply, visit www.illinoisgreenfleets.org

Resources for Businesses, Homes, Community Organizations and More&

Household Hazardous Waste Collection

Illinois EPA maintains several long-term facilities for disposal of Household Hazardous Waste. For sites and a schedule of upcoming collections, go to www.epa.state.il.us (click on the Land link)

Illinois Green Governments Coordinating Council

The Illinois Green Governments Coordinating Council is made up of representatives from 15 state agencies and serves to improve the sustainability of Illinois government operations and policies. The Council also serves as a resource for local governments and educational institutions throughout the state. For information about the Councils activities and programs, visit www.greensolutions.il.gov

Illinois Sustainable Technology Center

The Illinois Sustainable Technology Center (ISTC) is a Division of the Institute of Natural Resource Sustainability at the University of Illinois. ISTC is a change agency that performs research, spreads awareness, and facilitates implementation regarding practices, technology and systems that improve sustainability. For details, visit

www.istc.illinois.edu

Right-to-Know/Contaminated Groundwater

Illinois EPA is responsible for responding to the needs and expectations of Illinois citizens as they relate to the protection of human health, welfare and the environment. For details, visit www.epa.state.il.us/communityrelations/right-to-know

Wastewater & Drinking Water Infrastructure Revolving Loan Programs

Illinois EPA provides low interest loans to units of local government for the construction of new and existing wastewater and drinking water facilities to improve water quality and drinking water safety. For more information, visit

www.epa.state.il.us/water/financial-assistance

Streamlined Cleanup & Lakeshore Enhancement Program (SCALE)

Monetary awards from SCALE are available to organizations that have an established, recurring stream bank or lakeshore cleanup. For more information, call (217) 557-1441.

Illinois Clean Lakes Program

Illinois EPAs financial assistance grant program supports lake owners' interest in and commitment to long-term, comprehensive lake management. Visit www.epa.state.il.us/water/conservation-2000/iclp.html

Volunteer Lake Monitoring Program

This Illinois EPA education program utilizes the time and talents of citizen volunteers. It teaches Illinois citizens about lake ecosystems and serves as a cost-effective method of gathering fundamental information on inland lakes. To find out more about the Volunteer Lake Monitoring Program, go to www.epa.state.il.us/water/conservation-2000/vlmp.html

USDA Energy Programs

USDA has many programs that help farmers, other rural residents, and the nation respond to energy-related issues and opportunities. These range from basic scientific research to the development and commercialization of new technologies. They include outreach and education, technical assistance programs, financial support for infrastructure, and the adoption of energy-saving products by USDA itself. From more efficient farming techniques, wind farms, and ethanol plants to biochemical and genomics research, USDA is deeply involved in the nations quest for energy security. Visit: http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/!ut/p/_s.7_0_A/7_0_1OB?navid=ENERGY&navtype=MS

Resources for Businesses, Homes, Community Organizations and More&

Illinois Finance Authority

Illinois is uniquely positioned to lead the nation toward its goal of energy independence  while being environmentally

responsible. By providing access to low-cost capital, IFA can help spur private investment in clean-coal and renewable

fuel technologies, encourage energy efficiency, strengthen Illinois agriculture and manufacturing, and, most importantly,

create jobs for more people. http://www.il-fa.com/energy/index.html

State of Illinois Treasurers Office

Cultivate Illinois - The Green Energy program is a one-year pilot program that encourages energy efficient development

and improvements by offering low-interest loans to businesses, non-profit organizations and local governments in

Illinois. The Treasurers Office secures below-market interest rates for borrowers who finance their purchase or

installation of energy efficient and renewable energy equipment at participating lenders. Projects can range from

$10,000 to $10 million. Visit at: http://www.treasurer.il.gov/programs/cultivate-illinois/green-energy.aspx

Energy Resource Center

The Energy Resources Center is committed to providing the most comprehensive and up to date solutions to the energy and environmental problems affecting institutional, industrial and commercial sectors. With over thirty years in service and consultation, the Energy Resources Center has the technical knowledge and hands on ability to provide forward looking solutions for today's complex energy environment. For details, go to: http://www.erc.uic.edu/

Illinois Institute of Rural Affairs

The Illinois Value-Added Sustainable Development Center (IVASDC) is a unit of the IIRA. The center conducts research and provides outreach to residents and communities in rural Illinois on agriculture and non - agriculture projects. Its purpose is to assist in creating value-adding ventures that benefit the economy, quality of life, and diversification of communities. The center delivers its technical assistance through invited presentations, seminars, workshops, and its website. The website houses an interactive GIS map tool, pre-feasibility modeling programs, wind energy data, rural research reports, case studies, directories, and bibliographies. Its focus is on the early stages of value added projects such as the concept, feasibility, and business formation stages. Visit: http://www.iira.org/ and http://www.valueadded.org/about/

WINDUSTRY in Minnesota

Windustry promotes progressive renewable energy solutions and empowers communities to develop wind energy as an environmentally sustainable, community-owned asset. Through member supported outreach, education and advocacy we work to remove the barriers to broad community ownership of wind energy. http://www.windustry.org/

Green Solutions Expo

The Green Solutions Expo was the idea of a small group of concerned citizens who were interested in both educating the public on what can be done to be eco-friendly in West Central Illinois as well as highlighting the great work already being done in the area by companies and organizations trying to mitigate their impact on the environment and developing products to help others mitigate theirs. To sign up for upcoming events or information visit:

http://www.greensolutionexpo.com/

Healthy Schools for Healthy Learning

The Illinois Department of Public Health's "Healthy Schools for Healthy Learning" website provides information about indoor environmental quality, safe chemical storage, and other environmental health topics that affect schools. For more details, visit: http://app.idph.state.il.us/envhealth/healthyschools/default.asp

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