Chapter Advocacy Strategic Committee Update
April 8, 2011
In 2011, the Chapter formed a new Advocacy Strategic Group, including members from the State & Local Government Committee, Green Schools Committee, Residential Green Builders Committee, and representatives from each of the Chapters seven branches. The Advocacy Strategic Group’s purpose is to provide education and enhance USGBC advocacy efforts for the Chapter at the local, regional and state levels.
On March 29th – 30th thirteen members from the Advocacy Strategic Group and the Chapter Board traveled to Springfield, IL for two days of exciting advocacy activities at the Capitol. The primary purpose for the trip was to participate in the reception and formal release of the (House Joint Resolution) HJR 45 LEED Task Force Report “Moving Towards a Sustainable Future for Illinois Schools”. (The full report can be read here.) This comprehensive report is the result of over two years’ work led by Illinois Representative Karen May (58th District), representatives from the Chapter, Governor Quinn’s office, Illinois Capitol Development Board, AIA-Illinois, and others. Representative May is also the current Chair of the National Advisory Council of USGBC’s 50 for 50 Green Schools Caucus Initiative . The HJR 45 Report addresses the current conditions of K-12 schools in Illinois, and recommends policy enhancements, solutions, and financial tools to improve, enhance and green all Illinois schools within one generation. The reception was held in the Capitol Development Board offices, see photo.
With the release of the HJR 45 Report, Representative May and Representative Michelle Mussman (56th District) will lead the formation of the new Green Schools Caucus within the Illinois Legislature.
In addition, the Advocacy Strategic Group members visited the offices of more than 40 state Representatives and Senators. We dropped off introductory information regarding the USGBC-Illinois Chapter, our 150 annual educational programs, networking events and offered the Chapter as a green resource available to all Legislators. We held meetings with over 15 Legislators or their staff members. We have invited them to participate in meetings and education sessions hosted by the Chapter, and to meet with them in their District offices. These meetings were an integral part of the Chapter’s first steps in building advocacy relationships with members of the Illinois Legislature. Our discussions also highlighted USGBC’s four key areas of work:
o Green Buildings for Climate Protection
o Sustainable Cities and Communities
o Green Schools
o Green Affordable Housing
As expected, the Capitol was abuzz with activity, committee meetings and conferences as both the House and Senate are in session until the end of May. A number of other environmental groups were in Springfield at the same time, including the Illinois Environmental Council and the AIA-Illinois, also meeting with Legislators regarding environmental and energy initiatives and legislation. Several Advocacy Group members attended House and Senate sessions, hearing legislative discussions and votes on a wide variety of bills. The Advocacy Strategic Group will follow up with all of the Legislators and staff members we met last week. We will schedule meetings with them at their District offices after the legislative session ends, and are inviting them to attend Chapter events.
For more information regarding the Chapter’s advocacy activities, please contact Doug Widener, Catherine Allen (bluemoonent1@att.net) and Selena Worster Walde (sworster@mechinc.com).
