REPORT: GRC Update – November 7, 2023

REPORT: GRC Update – October 6, 2022

The Village of Vernon Hills is part of the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus Greenest Region Compact (GRC). The goal of the Greenest Region Compact is to work together to leverage the strength of all of our municipal governments to build vibrant, sustainable and environmentally friendly communities across the Chicago region.

By Resolution, the Village Board endorsed the Greenest Region Compact on February 15, 2022, and committed to collaborate for sustainable communities in our region. Read Resolution 2022-004. 

Sustainability can be defined as the avoidance of depleting natural resources and the maintaining of ecological balance as we strive to meet our own needs without compromising future generations. 

The Greenest Region Compact offers support and a framework for mayors and community leaders to identify and analyze efforts and projects in an effort to work toward sustainability. The broad GRC framework focuses on 10 categories – climate, economic development, energy, land, leadership, mobility, municipal operations, sustainable communities, water, and waste & recycling. Within each category is a framework that lists objectives and strategies. Through the GRC, municipalities determine which objectives to undertake to make positive impact toward sustainability.

While the Village of Vernon Hills formally joined the Greenest Region Compact in 2022, the Village has taken a strong stand on stewardship and sustainability for many years. Larger projects include:

• Vernon Hills Athletic Complex: The Village collaborated with federal, state and local partners to reclaim a "brown site" (the former Nike site) to create a beautiful property of green space and athletic fields.

• Expanded Century Park: The Village worked with partners to reclaim a commercial property at the corner of Lakeview and Hawthorn Parkways to expand Century Park and provide better access to that outstanding green space.

• Village Hall Green Space: The Village converted the former Laschen Center municipal building into a green space.

• Coal Tar Ban: The Village was an early leader in banning the use of coal tar in road and parking lot surfaces.

• Phosphate Ban: The Village was an early leader in banning the use of phosphate fertilizer within the Village, in an effort to protect our watershed.

The Village is committed to the role of being a good steward to the environment as we work to implement additional strategies to ensure a sustainable community. Watch for update reports on activities and initiatives as we move forward.

For additional information, please review the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus Greenest Region Compact webpage.