CHAIR:  Paige Finnegan, LEED AP O+M, Franklin Energy
VICE CHAIR:  Anthony Janowski, LEED AP , Chicago Regional Council of Carpenters
TREASURER:  Joel Freehling, Shaw Environmental and Infrastructure Group
SECRETARY:  Ben Bischmann, RPA, LEED AP O+M, Colliers International
EX-OFFICIO CHAIR:  George K. Tuhowski III, LEED AP BD+C, Leopardo Companies

DIRECTORS:
Abigail Corso, PE, Delta Institute
Anthony Corso, LEED AP, Illinois Central College
Kevork Derderian, Continental Offices, Ltd.
Michael Dudek, RA, LEED AP, Larson & Darby Group
Anne Evens, MS, Center for Neighborhood Technology
Helen J. Kessler, FAIA, LEED AP BD+C, HJKessler Associates, Inc
Sharon Krohn, Sharon Krohn Consulting
Jon Levey, LEED AP, GREEN, GreenChoice Bank
Paul Matthews, MPM, Roosevelt University

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Doug Widener, LEED AP O+M, USGBC – Illinois Chapter

Many companies are currently budgeting for 2012. We encourage you to remember USGBC-Illinois in your 2012 budgets. As a 501(c)3 not for profit, charitable organization, USGBC-Illinois relies on contributions from companies, foundations, and individuals to accomplish our mission.  An overview of our sponsorship program and sponsor benefits is described here. As a special offer, annual sustaining sponsors of $5,000 or more will receive 10% off of national USGBC member dues.  Companies must commit as a USGBC-Illinois sponsor before November 30, 2011 to qualify.  All eligible sponsors will receive a discount code to use when joining national USGBC or renewing their USGBC membership.  For more information on USGBC-Illinois sponsorship, contact, Doug Widener.

Commissioning – Making Your Sustainable Investment Pay HJK   
Presentation 2- Making Your Sustainable Investment Pay MH

Chapter Members – All Chapter members will receive a member survey to complete as a part of the planning process.  The survey covers a variety of topics including Chapter events, committees/branches, education programs, advocacy, community service, and future goals and directions.   Click here to complete the survey.  (Members will also receive a separate email announcement about the survey as well).

Committees/Branches – Chapter staff will meet with each committee and branch at their regularly scheduled September meetings to conduct focused discussions about the role each committee and branch plays in the Chapter and about the key goals and objectives each committee and branch has for the future.    If you are a member of a committee or branch, you’re encouraged to attend your group’s regularly scheduled September meeting to participate.

Focus Groups/Interviews – Chapter staff and Board members will also conduct focus groups and interviews with key external partners and organizations.  If you have ideas about organizations we should meet with please email Katie Kaluzny at: kkaluzny@usgbc-illinois.org.

We hope to have the strategic plan draft completed by the end of October to help with 2012 program planning and budgeting, with the final plan to be developed by the end of the year.  For additional information about strategic planning, contact Doug Widener at: dwidener@usgbc-illinois.org.

On March 29^th – 30^th 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 (58^th 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 (56^th 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).

LEED for New Construction and Major Renovations 2009 Rating System: Sustainable Sites

This session explores the LEED Sustainable Sites category in a credit by credit format, reviewing the overall category intent and the individual intents of the prerequisites and credits within it. Learn the technical requirements of the credits and, through real‐world case examples shared by USGBC LEED Faculty, strategies that work to achieve them.

Session 2 – April 22, 2011 @ 12:00 PM

LEED for New Construction and Major Renovations 2009 Rating System: Water Efficiency & Innovation in Design

This session explores two LEED credit categories – Water Efficiency and Innovation in Design – in a credit by credit format, reviewing the overall category intents and the individual intents of the prerequisites and credits within it. Learn the technical requirements of the credits and, through real‐world case examples shared by USGBC LEED Faculty, strategies that work to achieve them.

Session 3 – May 20, 2011

LEED for New Construction and Major Renovations 2009 Rating System: Energy and Atmosphere

This session explores the LEED Energy and Atmosphere category in a credit by credit format, reviewing the overall category intent and the individual intents of the prerequisites and credits within it. Learn the technical requirements of the credits and, through real‐world case examples shared by USGBC LEED Faculty, strategies that work to achieve them.

Session 4 – June 17, 2011 @ 12:00 PM

LEED for New Construction and Major Renovations 2009 Rating System: Materials and Resources

This session explores the LEED Materials and Resources category in a credit by credit format, reviewing the overall category intent and the individual intents of the prerequisites and credits within it. Learn the technical requirements of the credits and, through real‐world case examples shared by USGBC LEED Faculty, strategies that work to achieve them.

Session 5 – July 15, 2011 @ 12:00 PM

LEED for New Construction and Major Renovations 2009 Rating System: Indoor Environmental Quality

This session will explore the LEED Indoor Environmental Quality category in a credit by credit format. We will look at the overall intent of this category, as well as the individual intent of the prerequisites and credits within it. We will also discuss the requirements and verification steps necessary to achieve each credit and some real world examples of strategies used to fulfill each measure.

Session 6 – August 26, 2011 @ 12:00 PM

BD+C 256: LEED and Historic Preservation

Session 7 – September 16, 2011 @ 12:00 PM

BD+C 254: LEED for Healthcare – An Overview of the New Credits Through a Project Lens

Session 8 – October 21, 2011 @ 12:00 PM

Energy Consumption & EA C1: Top 10 Energy Efficiency Measures for Load Reduction

The first step for reducing energy consumption of a building is to reduce the energy loads on the building. Consideration of load reduction techniques early in the design phase often comes at low or no added cost. During this webinar you will learn about best practices and top 10 strategies to reduce the energy loads on buildings. The session will highlight energy simulation as a design tool and key to successfully implementing EA Credit 1. The webinar will feature commercial building projects certified under the LEED for New Construction rating system.

Session 9 – November 18, 2011 @ 12:00 PM

Renewable Energy & EA Credits 1 and 2: Top 5 Strategies to Meet Energy Demand

On-site renewable energy is the cleanest source of meeting energy demands of the building. Consideration given to designing on-siterenewable systems during the design phase can optimize the performance of the system. During this webinar you will learn about bestpractices and top 5/10 strategies to design on-site renewable energy systems. The session will highlight various design tools and keys to successfully implementing EA Credit 1 and EA Credit 2. The webinar will feature commercial building projects certified underthe LEED for New Construction rating system.

Session 10 – December 16, 2011 @ 12:00 PM

IEQ Prerequisite 1: Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them

As project teams attempt to achieve the requirements of IEQp1, they often encounter common issues surrounding calculations and documentation. This session will provide strategies for HVAC design professionals to overcome these obstacles in LEED projects and successfully meet the minimum indoor air quality requirements set by ASHRAE Standard 62.1-2007 and IEQp1 in multiple building types.

REGISTER through the Chapter Events Calendar.

A key element of the new structure includes the creation of five state-wide strategic groups that will coordinate strategy and planning around five key areas related to the Chapter’s mission: Advocacy, Education, Membership, Public Relations, and Development.    Strategic groups will meet at least quarterly to strategize and plan initiatives related to their topic area.  All Chapter committees and branches related to the specific area will send a representative(s) to the strategic group meetings.  Committees and branches will continue to meet independently on the off-months from strategic groups to further plan and implement programs and initiatives.

Another major element of the plan is to re-align each of the Chapter’s committees to be state-wide in focus in order to strategize and plan programs and initiatives for the Chapter’s entire service area.  Each branch will have representation to each strategic group and committee and, in turn, will be the main implementation arm for delivering Chapter programs and initiatives within their service area.    A part of this structural change is the creation of a new Chicago branch to serve members and constituents within the Chicago city limits.  (See related article below).

The new organizational structure is being rolled out to members of Chapter committees and branch steering committees and will be addressed in summary at the Chapter’s annual meeting of the membership on November 2.   The new organizational structure is already being used by committees, branches, and Chapter staff in planning and budgeting for 2011.  The full structure will launch during the first quarter of 2011, with the first official meetings of each strategic group.  Please click here to review the new structure  and organizational chart.  If you have questions about the new organizational structure, please contact the Chapter’s Executive Director, Doug Widener.

LEED Webinar (In-Person) O+M LEED Specific – First Session: Energy & Atmosphere
Earn 1.5 LEED Specific GBCI CE Hours
March 6, 2012  7:30 AM – 9:00 AM
Abbott, Lake Forest