Recent News

• Radon Awareness Month January 28, 2014
  As part of Radon Action Month in January, the Cook County Department of Environmental Control and the Illinois Emergency Management Agency urge people throughout Cook County to test their homes for radon, a cancer-causing radioactive gas that has been found in nearly 40 percent of Illinois homes tested. You can receive more information or […]
  laura.oakleaf
• President Preckwinkle Receives Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (MEEA) Leadership Award January 17, 2014
  At their Midwest Energy Solutions Conference held in Chicago on January 15th, the MEEA gave  their  2014 Inspiring Efficiency Leadership Award to Cook County President Toni Preckwinkle.  The award highlights President Preckwinkle’s initiatives to establish Cook County as a  world-class model of sustainability. (more)
  laura.oakleaf
• New Solid Waste and Recycling Ordinance Gets County Board Approval January 16, 2014
  President Preckwinkle Applauds Outreach to Various Stakeholders After months of collaboration and input from community and government organizations, the solid waste industry, and environmental advocacy groups, the Cook County Board Wednesday approved a Solid Waste and Recycling Ordinance (SWRO) that will give the County significant new tools to protect the e […]
  laura.oakleaf
• America Recycles Day, November 15th 2013 November 13, 2013
  This Friday, November 15th is America Recycles Day.  Visit the America Recycles Day website to learn more about the benefits of recycling, how you can recycle more, and events taking place in your community. Although you may recycle bottles, cans and paper at home, did you know that there are […]
  laura.oakleaf
• Cook County Co-hosts Workshop on Economic Revitalization through Brownfields November 5, 2013
  On October 30, Cook County co-hosted an event to share resources, technical assistance and funding opportunities surrounding Brownfields redevelopment.  Learn more about the conference at the Department of Economic Development’s site here.          
  laura.oakleaf
• Cook County Breaks New Ground With Demolition Debris Diversion Ordinance October 23, 2013
  In early September the Huffington Post published an article titled Rethink, Recycle, Rebuild: How Deconstructing a Home Makes Environmental and Economic Sense, about the environmental and economic incentives of recycling and salvaging building material. The Post’s article highlights that 75-90 percent of materials in all homes can be reused or recycled and a […]
  deborah.stone
• Electronics Recycling – its the law! October 23, 2013
  On January 1, 2012 it became illegal to dispose of electronic products in your regular trash. Fortunately there are several outlets in Cook County to drop off unwanted electronic products. This video provides additional information on Illinois’ electronics landfill ban as well as resources to help you find a location to drop off those old […]
  laura.oakleaf
• Deborah Stone Discusses Proposed Cook County Solid Waste and Recycling Ordinance on the Mike Nowak Show October 8, 2013
  At the September 1tth Cook County Board meeting President Preckwinkle introduced the Solid Waste and Recycling Ordinance.  Deborah Stone, Chief Sustainability Officer and Director of the Cook County Department of Environmental Control, explains the proposed ordinance which has the goal of increasing recycling, prosecuting fly-dumping and building more sustai […]
  laura.oakleaf
• Pharmaceutical Drop-off Now Available at all City of Chicago Police Stations October 3, 2013
  laura.oakleaf
• Cook County has been Nominated for the 2013 Chicago Innovation Awards September 13, 2013
  Cook County has been selected as one of the Top 100 nominees for the 2013 Chicago Innovation Awards. This nomination recognizes the County’s innovative steps to reduce energy costs and cut greenhouse gas emissions. The County’s submission focused on the Guaranteed Energy Performance Contracting (GEPC) project. In June 2012, the county’s Office of Capital [.. […]
  laura.oakleaf