Chicago
Chicago Center for Green Technology
CCGT offers free seminars for the public 2-3 times per week. CCGT's Green Building Resource Center also has a small library that includes green product samples.
City of Chicago Department of Business Affairs
Hold free business seminars to encourage business growth.
City of Chicago Department of Environment (DOE)
DOE is charged with protecting human health and the environment, improving the urban quality of life, and promoting economic development in Chicago. The Chicago Environmental Action Agenda describes the City's current environmental priorities and activities.
Chicago Entrepreneurial Center (CEC)
CEC exists to help entrepreneurs and small- to mid-sized business owners achieve success by helping them navigate resources, strengthen knowledge, and form strategic alliances in the areas that are most critical to their businesses. CEC is a nonprofit affiliate of the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce.
Chicago Manufacturing Center (CMC)
CMC seeks to strengthen Chicago industry to promote innovation, economic development and a safe and healthy future. As one of the regional centers in the national Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP), CMC has focused for the last ten years on improving the global competitiveness of Chicago area small and midsize manufacturers. CMC's Green Plants Initiative strives to share the value of green manufacturing with these businesses as well.
Chicago Sustainability Action Guide
The Action Guide provides a link to the many resources Chicago has to offer for more sustainable living and working, including websites, publications, organizations, directories, and events.
Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity (DCEO)
The DCEO administers a wide range of economic and workforce development programs, services and initiatives designed to create and retain high quality jobs and build strong communities.
Illinois Institute of Technology Center for Sustainable Enterprise
The Center for Sustainable Enterprise at the Illinois Institute of Technology facilitates collaboration between business corporations, other academic institutions, government agencies and members of the NGO community to "identify, develop, communicate, and help implement practical and equitable business strategies that advance the ecological sustainability of the Greater Chicago Area, while fostering current and future economic viability."
Educates the public on the importance of choosing locally owned, independent businesses.
Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (MEEA)
MEEA is a collaborative network whose purpose is to advance energy efficiency in the Midwest in order to support sustainable economic development and environmental preservation.
Net Impact - Chicago Professional Chapter
"Net Impact’s mission is to improve the world by growing and strengthening a network of new leaders who are using the power of business to make a positive net social, environmental, and economic impact." The Chicago Professional Chapter sponsors seminars and networking events to assist the business community in their efforts to increase socially and environmentally responsible busines activities.
Smart Energy Design Assistance Center
The Smart Energy Design Assistance Center (SEDAC) is designed to encourage building owners, designers, and users to incorporate renewable energy systems and energy conservation practices. Currently, SEDAC provides services for the Illinois Small Business $mart Energy (SB$E) Program, part of the State’s Opportunity Returns initiative directed by the Illinois Department of Community and Economic Opportunity. Administered by the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, SEDAC provides design assistance at no cost to the client, education (for both working professionals and students), support for Illinois building codes and standards, strategic outreach, and marketing and information dissemination. SEDAC will help businesses adopt sustainable practices to reduce their energy use and costs while also realizing important environmental benefits.
University of Illinois at Chicago Energy Resource Center
The Energy Resources Center provides resources for the energy and environmental problems affecting institutional, industrial and commercial sectors. Current programs of the Center include; energy management assessments, economic modeling, analysis of policy and regulatory initiatives, and public outreach and education.
US Green Building Council - Chicago Chapter
The Chicago Chapter of USGBC provides local green building resources, education and leadership opportunities.
Business Alliance for Local Living Economies
BALLE believes in the power of local businesses to transform communities.
Business for Social Responsibility (BSR)
"BSR is a global organization that helps member companies achieve success in ways that respect ethical values, people, communities and the environment. BSR provides information, tools, training and advisory services to make corporate social responsibility an integral part of business operations and strategies. A nonprofit organization, BSR promotes cross sector collaboration and contributes to global efforts to advance the field of corporate social responsibility."
GreenBiz provides "news and resources to large and small businesses through a combination of Web sites, workshops, daily news feeds, electronic newsletters, and briefing papers."
Society for Organizational Learning (SoL)
SoL is a learning community created to connect corporations and organizations, researchers and consultants around the concept of organizational change and learning. In addition to a wealth of online resources, SoL hosts a Sustainability Consortia and regular conference.
SustainableBusiness.com is an Internet community for businesses committed to balancing environmental, social, and economic values in their company. The site includes a resource directory, newsletter, trade magazine, networking service, job listings, and more.
