• Welcome to the “Spotlight on Sustainability” series in Kane County Connects! This new series will feature local businesses or other organizations that are taking actions to conserve environmental resources, and implement projects or policies to build a more sustainable community. If you know of an organization that should be featured in this series, please contact Cecilia Govrik at the Kane County Division of Environmental & Water Resources at 630-208-8665 or govrikcecilia@co.kane.il.us.
• This article was contributed by Molly Center, communications specialist for the City of Elgin and liaison to the Elgin Sustainability Commission.

Sustainability ranks high on the “to-do” list for the city of Elgin. The city’s nine-member Sustainability Commission meets monthly to determine which programs and initiatives it should recommend to the city council to improve environmental, economic and social sustainability in the city.

The commission is also tasked with selecting recipients for the Sustainability Honor Roll award, which recognizes individuals, businesses, organizations and educational programs for their efforts in helping Elgin become a sustainable community. The award is given out biannually, typically in April and October.

Mike Hendrick (left) and Steve Baron (right) accept the Sustainability Honor Roll award for Advocate Sherman Hospital from Mayor David Kaptain (center).

First bestowed in 2015 to Elgin High School teacher Deb Perryman, subsequent awards have been given to community member Carl Missele, Multifilm Packaging, and the Friends of the Fox River.

The fifth annual Sustainability Honor Roll Award winner was announced at the April meeting of the Elgin Sustainability Commission. Mayor David Kaptain presented the award to Advocate Sherman Hospital.

Before the new Advocate Sherman Hospital (at the time Sherman Hospital) opened in 2009, several advanced technologies and innovations were incorporated into the design of the property and facility. A notable technology was the 15-acre geothermal lake that heats and cools the hospital, saving over $1 million in energy costs per year. This is the largest geothermal system in Illinois.

“Advocate Sherman had a long-term vision when designing the geothermal lake. While there were high upfront capital costs, the investment has paid for itself. Advocate Sherman stepped up and did a great job,” Kaptain said. “The lake itself became an amenity with the walking path. This provides sustainability for people as well, offering a place to exercise and promote a healthy lifestyle.”

Steve Baron of Advocate Sherman said the hospital has already seen the benefits of the geothermal lake and surrounding landscape design.

“There’s a lot to be proud of,” he said. “The lake, the community gardens and the walking path. You see people using the lake frequently. It’s great for health and environment.”

Nominations for the Sustainability Honor Roll award in Elgin are welcomed by the public and may be submitted at any time of year online at http://cityofelgin.org/greenaward.

For more information or questions regarding the Sustainability Honor Roll award, please contact the Sustainability Commission’s liaison Molly Center at 847-931-5613 or center_m@cityofelgin.org.

About the Elgin Sustainability Commission