State program aims to increase public awareness about environmental conservation and educate individuals on simple ways to reduce their carbon footprint

Governor awards grants to 28 schools across the state to implement or expand recycling and waste reduction projects

CHICAGO – Governor Rod R. Blagojevich today announced that the 2008 Illinois State Fair in Springfield will feature Put Your Green Foot Forward – a public awareness campaign designed to educate state fair visitors on environmental conservation and how to reduce their carbon footprint by taking a few simple steps. The Governor also announced grants to twenty-eight schools across the state to assist the schools in educating youth about environmental conservation.

“While large scale policies are necessary to preserve the environment, every individual can make a difference in the fight against climate change. All Illinoisans including families, businesses, students, and state and local governments, must do what we can to reverse global warming. Together, we will reduce our impact on the environment, lower our energy bills, and keep more of our hard-earned dollars here at home by creating jobs in green industries and supporting local businesses,” said Governor Blagojevich.

The Put Your Green Foot Forward campaign will feature six family-friendly kiosks throughout the fairgrounds, which will contain information about fun ways families across the state can work together to reduce their own carbon emissions and protect our environment for the future.  State Fair visitors will have the opportunity to use computer-based “carbon footprint calculators” to determine what their current carbon footprint is – and by how much they can reduce their output – if they agree to take a few simple pledges and incorporate them into their everyday life.

“If everyone at the Illinois State Fair takes a few moments to visit the Put Your Green Foot Forward kiosks, learns about environmental conservation and makes a few simple changes in their daily lives, we can reduce the amount of carbon dioxide we emit and conserve untold amounts of energy,” said Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Director Jack Lavin. “That kind of conservation is good for families and businesses across the state.”

As part of the State’s efforts to raise awareness about conservation at this year’s State Fair, Illinois residents are encouraged to follow these "10 Steps" to reduce their carbon footprint:

1. Replace lightbulbs with CFLs (Compact Florescent Lights)
2. Turn off lights, TVs and electronics
3. Ride your bike or ride with a friend
4. Look for the Energy Star® label
5. Use less water, especially hot water
6. Use less air conditioning and heating
7. Unplug anything not in use
8. Reduce, reuse, recycle
9. Plant a tree
10. Spread the word!

The Put Your Green Foot Forward campaign will exhibit through the duration of the State Fair, from August 8 – 17th. Kiosks will be located at the following locations throughout the fairgrounds: the Governor’s Tent, DCEO’s Tent, Illinois Building, Coliseum, Grandstand and Expo Building.

In addition to the state’s efforts to promote environmental stewardship at the State Fair, the Governor also today that 28 schools will receive funding to implement or expand recycling and waste reduction projects in their schools this fall through the Illinois Zero Waste Schools Grant Program. Participating schools will recycle all white paper and at least one other commodity such as glass, plastic, aluminum and/or steel cans. The goal of the program is to save schools money, while encouraging students to develop environmentally-friendly, lifelong habits to reduce waste. Recipients of the 2008 Illinois Zero Waste Schools grants include:

Illinois Zero Waste Schools Grant Program FY 08 Grants

School/District	City	County
Chicago Public Schools (three schools)	Chicago	Cook
Namaste Charter School	Chicago	Cook
Polaris Charter Academy	Chicago	Cook
St. Monica Academy	Chicago	Cook
Mary Olive Stitt School	Arlington Heights	Cook
Glenbrook High School	Glenbrook	Cook
Holmes Elementary School	Oak Park	Cook
Pleasant Hill School	Palatine	Cook
Lake County School District #65 (three schools)	Lake Bluff	Lake
Johnsburg Junior High School	Johnsburg	McHenry
SEDOM (Special Education District of McHenry County)	Woodstock	McHenry
Woodstock Community Unit School District #2 (six schools)	Woodstock	McHenry
Wilmington Community Unit School District #209-U (two schools)	Wilmington	Will
Jefferson High School	Rockford	Winnebago
Oakwood Junior High School	Oakwood	Vermillion
Lake Crest - Oakland High School	Oakland	Coles
Effingham High School	Effingham	Effingham
Chester Community Unit # 139	Chester	Randolph
Total FY ’08 awards		$139,442