Chicago - U.S. The U.S. Green Building Council – Illinois Chapter will acknowledge eight winners in the sustainability realm during the organization's dazzling 10th Anniversary Celebration and Fundraising event, Limelight on May 10, 2012. Award recipients include The Public Building Commission of Chicago, Northern Illinois Food Bank, Manuel Flores, Wight & Company, Inspiration Corporation, Adlai E. Stevenson High School, and BP Bright Lights.

For six years, USGBC-Illinois presented the Natural Leaders Awards at the annual, spring Emerald Gala. In celebration of their 10th Anniversary and bright future, the Chapter has replaced both the Gala and previous awards program with an exciting new Chapter event Limelight, at which the Emerald Awards will be presented. These awards better reflect the mission of USGBC-Illinois as it heads into the second decade of advancing sustainable buildings and communities across Illinois through education, advocacy, and collaboration.

The Emerald Awards recognize outstanding individuals, organizations, and projects from across Illinois that advance both buildings and communities which are sustainable, prosperous and healthy. The awards are given in five categories: Chapter Mission, Individual Leadership, Outstanding Organization, Green Building Innovation and the Board of Directors award.

Northern Illinois Food Bank will be accepting the Board of Directors award, which recognizes an individual or organization the USGBC-Illinois Board of Directors choose not only for their leadership, but their great impact on sustainable building in Illinois.

The Public Building Commission of Chicago will receive the Chapter Mission award, which recognizes an organization; public, private or institutional, or an individual that best advances the mission of USGBC–Illinois.

Manuel Flores will be honored with the Individual Leadership award, which recognizes an individual who exemplifies leadership in transforming the built environment.

Wight & Company will receive the Outstanding Organization award which recognizes an organization that has made significant strides to reduce their environmental footprint or improve the environment in a substantial way.

The Green Building Innovation award recognizes either new building construction or existing building renovation project(s) which have used innovative strategies or technologies to reduce the building’s impact or makes a positive impact. Four organizations will be honored with this award in the following categories:

Building Renovation - Inspiration Corporation, Inspiration Kitchen-Garfield Park

Existing Buildings – Adlai E. Stevenson High School

Interior Renovation – BP Bright Lights

New Construction – Testa Produce, Inc.

We invite you to join USGBC – Illinois to celebrate these sustainability leaders and our 10th Anniversary at Limelight on May 10, 2012 at the Greenhouse Loft in the Green Exchange at 2545 N. Diversey in Chicago. “The Emerald Award program is a showcase of the best and brightest contributors to a more sustainable built environment in Illinois,” said Doug Widener, Executive Director, “We applaud their efforts to make changes that positively impact the building community and Illinois cities.”

Tickets to the event and presentation of the Emerald Awards are available online. Hurry, early-bird ticket pricing ends on April 10, 2012. Find out more about Limelight and purchase your tickets at: http://www.usgbc-illinois.org/limelight/ Still want to know more? Contact Pam Jackson at (312) 245-8300 x204.

Source: U.S. Green Building Council - Illinois Chapter