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Zoning Committee Approves Lincoln Park Hospital Development
May 12, 2011 by jsedey · Leave a Comment
On Tuesday May 3rd, the City Council’s Zoning Committee signed off on the redevelopment of the old Lincoln Park Hospital that has created a divide in the neighborhood. The unanimous vote followed an almost three hour debate that spilled into the 43rd ward aldermanic run-off.
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Quinn to ComEd: Smart Grid Deal Needs Some Work
May 9, 2011 by matt · Leave a Comment
Illinois Governor Pat Quinn quashed any hope of support that Commonwealth Edison had for its proposal to construct a smart electric grid. According to a Chicago Tribune report, Quinn argues that, in its current form, the deal would allow ComEd and other utilities to hike rates without state approval.
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Chicago’s Green Business Ordinance Sparks Controversy among Green Business Advocates
April 15, 2011 by jsedey · Leave a Comment
Green Business owners are seeing controversy over a new business certification passed Wednesday by the Chicago City Council. Established by the Department of Environment, this ordinance is intended to certify companies that meet certain green and environmentally friendly standards. Companies that meet and exceed these standards will be able to place a decal on the front of their shop.
Despite active participation by green-business groups in this ordinance, many were upset by the version that was approved.
“I was disappointed to see the green business certification ordinance pass,” said Peter Nicholson, director at Foresight Sustainable Business Alliance. “I am afraid that this opens doors for greenwashing, by allowing a business to get certified based on criteria that may not be relevant to their core product or service.”
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Four Chicago Buildings Win Regional TOBYs
April 8, 2011 by matt · Leave a Comment
The Building Owners and Managers Association of Chicago (BOMA/Chicago) announced that four of its building members have been honored as regional winners of “The Outstanding Building of the Year” (TOBY) Award by the North Central Region of the Building Owners and Managers Association.
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Rahm Proposes Slashing City Council in Half
March 25, 2011 by jsedey · Leave a Comment
By: Jon Sedey
According to the Chicago Sun-Times, Mayor-elect Rahm Emanuel discussed cutting the number of City Council seats in half. This proposal would leave the City Council with twenty-five seats instead of fifty. In a private meeting with aldermen, Rahm wanted to get opinions and ideas for budgetary and ethics reform. He opened the conversation saying, “What do you think about going to twenty-five aldermen?”
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The Taxman Cometh: Ernst & Young’s Green Office and Green Agenda
March 16, 2011 by matt · Leave a Comment
By Matt Baker
In 2009, Ernst & Young moved out of their marquee address—the 110-story Willis Tower—into a newer structure up the river. Owned by a joint venture of two John Buck Company funds, Chicago-based investor Brijus Properties and Morgan Stanley’s Prime Property Fund, 155 North Wacker wooed the professional services giant away.
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A Rising Trend: Green Elevator Initiatives
March 16, 2011 by matt · Leave a Comment
By Jon Sedey
The development of the elevator opened up the discovery of skyscrapers and high-rise buildings. People, along with goods and services were able to reach new heights never seen before. “Vertical transportation” was now possible and forever changed the urban fabric. Instead of building out, cities were building up to conserve space and local resources. However, as green initiatives become an integral part of today’s development projects, elevator companies are implementing strategies to retrofit current elevators into green and attractive spaces.
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Reduce, Reroof, Recycle: Finding a Second Life for Asphalt Shingling
March 16, 2011 by matt · Leave a Comment
By Matt Baker
The most ubiquitous roofing style in the United States, topping roughly two thirds of residential roofs in the nation, is asphalt shingling. This is due to its low cost, easy installation and relatively long lifespan. These shingles are even more common in the northern, temperate regions of the nation where the reduced risk of thermal shock further lengthens their longevity.
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New Legislation Targets Lax Landlords
January 26, 2011 by matt · Leave a Comment
The Chicago City Council will consider a proposal that would allow for the imprisonment of building owners should violations in their abandoned buildings cause injury or death. The proposed legislation comes on the heels of a roof collapse last December that took the lives of two Chicago firefighters.
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Chicago’s Next Mayor: As Green as the Last?
January 20, 2011 by matt · Leave a Comment
Richard M. Daley, Chicago’s outgoing mayor, has cultivated a reputation over the years for forward-thinking environmentalism. Bike sharing programs, the City Hall green roof and the Chicago Energy Conservation Code for new and remodeled buildings are just parts of the green legacy he leaves behind.
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