Crain’s Chicago Business recognized two Caucus environmental leaders in its Notable Leaders in Sustainability list: City of Geneva Mayor Kevin Burns, Caucus Environment Committee and Energy Subcommittee Chairman, and Edith Makra, Director of Environmental Initiatives.
Mayor Burns was honored for his work serving as a leader on several committees and boards, including the Environment Committee, Energy Subcommittee, the recently formed EV Readiness Advisory Committee, and on the Caucus Executive Board as Secretary. He led the Caucus in the creation of the Climate Action Plan for the Chicago Region and helped to launch the Caucus’ EV Readiness Program this year. Mayor Burns also advocated for stronger energy efficiency requirements in building codes. The National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL) identified building energy codes as the most impactful policy action cities can take to meet Paris Accord greenhouse gas reduction targets.
Makra was recognized for directing sustainability initiatives on behalf of the 275 member municipalities of the Caucus. Only a handful of municipalities have full-time sustainability staff. Makra helps local governments of all sizes and staffing levels to achieve their sustainability goals by guiding them through the actions in the Caucus’ Greenest Region Compact (GRC) consensus sustainability document and in the Climate Action Plan for the Chicago Region. Makra created the GRC document and co-wrote the Climate Action Plan for the Chicago Region, which is one of the first regional climate plans in the nation. She further helps communities to meet and share ideas on sustainability by managing monthly Environment Committee and Energy Subcommittee meetings that focus on different timely topics of interest to Caucus members.
Others who were recognized in Crain’s Notable Leaders in Sustainability list, who have been involved in Caucus initiatives and serve on the Environment Committee and/or the Energy Subcommittee include Eric Simon, River Forest Sustainability Commission Chairman, and Deborah Stone, Cook County Director of the Department of Environment & Sustainability. Additionally, Community Charging Founder Vanessa Perkins is on the Crain’s list and serves on the Caucus’ EV Readiness Advisory Committee.
To read the full article in Crain’s about Notable Leaders in Sustainability, go to https://www.chicagobusiness.com/climate/2022-notable-leaders-sustainability-climate-change. (A Crain’s subscription is required.)
