Go Green La Grange! is a group of volunteers who live in and around La Grange, Illinois, and who care about the environment and sustainable living. We’re everyday people who believe that it’s possible to make great strides by providing folks with the information they need to do the right thing.

Please Join Us! We meet at 7:15pm on the first Wednesday of each month on the lower level of the La Grange Public Library. February Meeting - February 1st, 7:15pm.

We Want To Hear from You - please let us know what you think we should be doing by taking our survey! And, join us on Facebook.

Local Events and Activities

La Grange Considers Options for New Waste-Hauling Contract

The current waste-hauling contract for the Village of La Grange will soon expire.  The Village recently received proposals from four of the ten contractors to whom the Village had sent a Request for Proposal (RFP).  The Village is evaluating the submitted proposals.
 
As an environmental group, Go Green La Grange supports a program that will charge more to residents who create more garbage, similar to the current system in La Grange.  Go Green La Grange will continue to monitor the process, advocate for a volume-based system, and provide information about this issue as it becomes available.

Illinois Senate Votes to Support Dirty, Expensive Energy

At the end of November, the Illinois Senate voted to subsidize a coal plant in Taylorville, Illinois, despite the excessive pollution and increased costs to Illinois ratepayers the plant will create.

After having rejected the bill (SB 678) repeatedly, on November 29th the Senate voted to raise our electric rates for 30 years to pay for a risky, expensive coal plant we don’t need. The Illinois Senate has said yes to a ratepayer bailout for a failing project that threatens to pump out over 10 billion pounds of pollution every year.

Read more about the vote here.

Green News and Information

Unions Support Rejection of Keystone Oil Pipeline Project
On Jan 18th President Obama rejected the Keystone XL pipeline, which would have brought tar sand oil from Canada through environmentally sensitive locations in the US. What you may not know is that in spite of all the talk about jobs being eliminated, several large unions have joined the Sierra Club in support of Obama’s action. Read their statement here.

Local Landscaper Promotes Organic Lawn Care
Think the only way to have a nice lawn is to spread bags of expensive chemicals several times a year? Jeff Swano, of Brookfield-based Digrightin, is showing how simple things like aeration and leaf composting can get you off the chemical treadmill permanently, saving money and reducing groundwater pollution. Check out their services here.

Winter Farmer’s Markets Start November 6th
Don’t let the cold weather stop you from getting all of your favorite seasonal farm fresh foods. Faith in Place’s indoor winter farmers markets provide small, local farm producers with additional venues to extend their income beyond the growing season.

Local Resident Seeks LEED Certification for New Home
The Lewendowski family decided they wanted to build a LEED certified home - the first in La Grange. It’s been a long, strange trip, but it’s happening! You can read about their plans and progress to date on their blog.

Save the Prairie Society Hosts Green Work Days

Please join dedicated volunteers to help remove invasive plants, such as buckthorn, at Wolf Road Prairie.  Weather permitting, there will be a workday on Saturday, February 12, 2012, between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m.  Volunteer for an hour or for the entire time.  Meet at the Prairie House, located at 11225 Constitution Drive in Westchester. Event details here.

EPA Site Provides Resources for Living Green
Our actions impact the environment. Today we realize that each thing we do can help or hurt our planet in many ways. We all need to take ownership of environmental protection. EPA has tools to help you learn and understand the issues and help you reduce your environmental footprint. Learn more at EPA's Sustainability site.

Westchester Announces Monthly Electronics Recycling
The Village of Westchester will be conducting an electronic waste recycling program the second Saturday of every month from 8:30 a.m. to Noon at the Westchester Village Hall, 10300 Roosevelt Road (Behind the Westchester Post Office). Details here.

Thinking Green
Our interactive blog for assessing the science behind the debate. Current resources for Climate Modeling, Alternative Energy Options, and Green Economics - links to current work that tries to set the record straight.