Plans this year
- Celebrate and advocate for positive environmental legislation at the local, state and national level
- Encourage members to advocate for or against rulemaking and proposed legislation in line with LWV issue positions
- Educate and advocate around regulating large Artificial Intelligence data center pre-application transparency and robust environmental reviews including water and power needs and availability; needed changes in wastewater treatment and pollution issues.
- Encourage participation in environment-related events with partner groups such as Illinois Environmental Council and Go Green Wilmette.
- Continue to advocate for legislation in Illinois that strengthens protections for wetlands.
News and Latest Developments
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Wilmette's Commitment to Sustainability
Following the Wilmette Village Board's endorsement of the Greenest Region Compact (GRC) in 2018, the Environmental and Energy Commission (EEC) was charged with creating a plan to address sustainability issues of global importance at the local level. In Fall 2021, the Village Board voted unanimously to adopt the EEC's proposed Sustainability Plan and passed a resolution endorsing a 2021 Climate Action Plan. The three implementation priorities incorporated into the Sustainability Plan address renewable energy, urban forest preservation, and native habitats. In 2022, the EEC focus has been to provide specific recommendations for actionable programs to the Village Board. One such example of this is the Community Solar Program. |
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Plan to Improve Walking and Biking in Wilmette
Looking to make Wilmette more pedestrian- and bike-friendly, the Village Board approved a Master Bike and Active Transportation Plan in February 2021. The village website provides details, including the most recent version of the plan The plan involves a 5-year implementation schedule that required a more detailed review and approval by the village's Transportation Commission. At its March 2022 meeting, the Transportation Commission officially approved the specific project schedule. The implementation plan projects $250,000-$300,000 annual spending for bike/pedestrian improvements, pending available funds. Among the recommended projects for 2022 are adding shared markings on Greenleaf Ave, designs for Sheridan Rd crossings and bike boulevards on Poplar Ave and Park Ave, and feasibility studies on Wilmette Ave from Ridge west to Village boundary. Now, as part of the village’s Capital Improvement Program review process, the schedule will go to the Village Board for approval this summer, with further discussions possible when the Village Board reviews its proposed budget in the fall. This same project funding process will occur annually. |
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Good News for Wilmette Trees
Thanks to the advocacy of League members, Go Green Wilmette, and many of our Wilmette friends and neighbors, the Village Board approved strong and positive changes to the village tree ordinance at their board meeting on March 8, 2022. This new ordinance requires a permit for removing trees larger than 6" diameter, and it requires either fees or tree replacements for anything larger than 10", with higher fees for the removal of heritage trees, such as oaks and hickories. It includes much steeper fines for non-compliance, and it requires that neighbors be notified of any heritage tree removal from areas that are not a part of a new structure's direct footprint. |
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Control Mosquitoes Safely & Effectively!
Using a private company for mosquito barrier spraying is not an effective way to reduce biting mosquitoes from your yard. These sprays also cause resistance to develop in mosquitoes, which reduces the efficacy of these chemicals for their intended, "last resort" use by accredited public health agencies. To promote environment-friendly protection in your own yard, homeowners should know that the best way to reduce mosquitoes is to remove standing water. If mosquitoes become a nuisance, contact the North Shore Mosquito Abatement District (NSMAD), who will come treat your yard for FREE, using evidence-based methods that leave chemical sprays as a last resort. In addition, homeowners can turn to Go Green Wilmette for sound advice. |
Past initiatives
Environmentally Focused Inter-League Organizations (ILOs)
The LWV-Wilmette is a member of two different Inter-League Organizations (ILOs) that work on environmental issues in our region. To learn more about them, here are links:
LWVUS POSITION IN BRIEF |
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