Rockford, IL

Mayor: Larry Morrissey

Date of Adoption:
2008-06-11

Primary Contact:
Rich Muniz

Why My City is Cool

In the middle of a city wide Green Week the mayor of Rockford, Lawrence Morrissey, took a dramatic step in making his city green by signing the US Mayors’ Climate Protection Agreement. Congratulations to Mayor Morrissey, the Rockford City Council and the Green Communities Coalitions (GCC) on Rockford becoming Illinois’ 32nd Cool City. Although ready to sign the US Mayors’ Climate Protection Agreement a year ago, Mayor Morrissey spent the past twelve months working with the City Council and GCC gaining community support for the Agreement and creating a Green structure within the city’s administration to ensure prompt and effective implementation upon signing.
The Green Communities Coalition is a non-profit grassroots organization representing over 200 individuals and 40 organizations dedicated to preserving and improving the environment through positive action. They are committed to working with the mayor and the city council on local solutions to global warming and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
GCC recently sponsored a Green Business recognition initiative through four awards given for greenest large business, small business, large agency and small agency. Forty four outstanding applications were received revealing many green initiatives already being taken by the local business community.
GCC’s current project is raising funds for the purchase and installation of a grid-tied, rooftop vertical axis wind turbine to be located on a building at the entrance of the original business district and currently housing several non-profit organizations.

 Get Involved with Cool Cities

Milestones Completed (about)

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Milestone 1: Establish Campaign COMPLETE
  • Convene a Cool Cities campaign team of 3-7 activist volunteers
  • Write a city profile on the Cool Cities website
Milestone 2: Engage The Community COMPLETE
  • Create a Campaign Plan
  • Generate at least 50 citizen letters, Op-Ed and three letters-to-the editor
  • Give a Cool Cities presentation to at least three local community groups
  • Send a formal letter to Mayor, co-signed by 2+ partner community groups requesting the mayor to sign
Milestone 3: City Signs Agreement COMPLETE
  • Meet with mayor along with 1 to 3 community groups to discuss becoming a Cool City
  • Municipality makes formal commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. (US: Mayors' Climate Protection Agreement or Cool Counties Agreement. Canada: Canadian Partners for Climate Protection)
Milestone 4: Initial Solution Steps IN PROGRESS
  • City establishes committee to create local climate action plan
  • Hold a media event applauding your mayor's commitment
  • City initiates early implementation actions (e.g. energy efficient light bulbs at city offices)
Milestone 5: Advanced Smart Energy Solutions
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News & Announcements


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Links

Register to the Sierra Club's social networking site, Climate Crossroads, and join the Cool Cities group to view blog entries, read about happenings in your city, and connect with other members

Join the Cool Cities group on Climate Crossroads!

Provides step-by-step guidance and resources for municipal governments to become more sustainable

Learn more about the Green Playbook

From the foundation to the green roof, every square inch of Smart Home demonstrates energy efficiency in action. Systems, materials, appliances,even the direction of the windows work in harmony to make this home a lean, green eco-machine.

Green Building at Museum of Science and Industry Smart Home Green + Wired