The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) recently named Illinois the top state for LEED certification—the most widely recognized green building rating system—in 2013!
The USGBC ranks states based on LEED-certified buildings per capita. With 171 green building projects certified in 2013 and 29,415,284 square feet of energy-efficient, environmentally-friendly space, Illinois jumped into the lead with 2.29 square feet of LEED space per resident.
This is a significant jump from last year’s fifth-place ranking.
“It’s great to see passion from so many people making an impact and moving Illinois closer to the goal of everyone living, working and learning in a green and healthy building,” said Brian Imus, executive director of the Chicago-based USGBC Illinois Chapter, in a press release Feb. 18.
LEED-certified spaces utilize less energy and water, reduce carbon emissions, contribute to a healthier environment, boost the economy, and save money for families and businesses, according to the USGBC. Across the country, there are 20,000 LEED-certified buildings comprising 2.9 billion square feet, with another 37,000 projects planned for the future.
A few of the projects certified in Illinois this year include the Illinois Holocaust Museum in Skokie, Lincoln Hall at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, seven-story tower at 300 North LaSalle Street in Chicago, and Powell Elementary School in Chicago.
Keep up the good work, Illinois!
