Sustainability Action Plan

Created by citizen working groups and then adopted by City Council in 2011, the Sustainability Action Plan encompasses nine areas of sustainability. The plan's purpose is to "Improve the quality of life for Elgin citizens to improve its local environment, while making Elgin a more viable and vibrant place to live."

Each area (or recommendation category) of the Sustainability Action Plan provides a number of goals, and each goal has specific, actionable objectives. A total of 108 objectives are included in the plan. Of those objectives nearly a third are education-focused. Other objectives are related things such as policy recommendations, ordinance adoption and incentive programs.

Explore the plan by reading the full document (5 MB download), by recommendation category, or section by section below.

Staff provided a progress report to City Council in 2017, estimating nearly 75% of objectives complete or on-going.

Please direct any questions or comments to Sustainability Coordinator, by emailing Jan Monell or calling 847-531-7012.

Sustainability Commission

The Elgin Sustainability Commission was created to oversee implementation of the Sustainability Action Plan. In addition, it is the commission’s duty to hear presentations from businesses, advocacy groups and other associations regarding opportunities for the City of Elgin. The commission meets monthly and consists of 10 members (9 from the community-at large and 1 non-voting student representative). Click here to learn more about the Sustainability Commission.

Sustainability Honor Roll

The Sustainabilty Honor Roll recognizes individuals, businesses, organizations and educational programs for their efforts in helping Elgin become a sustainable community. The award seeks to recognize those that help Elgin achieve goals defined in its Sustainability Action Plan. From 2015-2018, the award was given out biannually. In 2019, the Sustainability Commission hosted the first annual Elgin Sustainability Awards ceremony, where three nominees were awarded.

Nominations are welcomed by the public and may be submitted at any time of the year at cityofelgin.org/greenaward.

Recipients of the Sustainabilty Honor Roll:

Deb Perryman, Elgin High School environmental science teacher
Carl Missele, active community member
Multifilm Packaging, local business
Friends of the Fox River, local non-profit organization
Advocate Sherman Hospital, local business
Maura Neuffer, naturalist and environmental educator
Elgin Fire Station 7, City of Elgin department unit
State Representative Anna Moeller, elected official
Robin Migalla, resident
Green Guerrilla, local business
Elgin Community College Biology Honors 108

Need volunteers to help?

There are many groups throughout the community ready and willing to lend a hand.

Larsen Middle School "Green Team" - A select group of dedicated students making a difference in their school and community-at-large.
Elgin Green Groups 350 - A clearinghouse for all groups within the community focused on helping the environment.

Sustainability Action Plan