Edgewater2020 (Original strategy launched in 2010)
EESP was set up with ten separate focus areas that each had a committee of volunteers who agreed on the plan goals to be met at specific intervals from 2010 to 2020.  The base benchmarks were derived from Edgewarter's status as of 2008. 
1) Reduce, ReUse, Recycle
2) Energy Efficiency
3) Parks & Greening
4) Planning & Development
5) Transportation
6) Air & Water
7) Renewable Energy
8) Public Awareness
9) Green Schools
10) Cleaning the Neighborhood
HISTORY OF EDGEWATER 2020 GOALS THROUGH 2017 (Strategic Plan was Revised in 2018)
Benchmark: 2017  
a) Goal: 60 Blue Cart Leaders -Recycling Goal Met: Recycling team's goal of 60 Recycling Block Club Leaders. 
Benchmarks: 2016 
(Note: Both of the following benchmarks require actions/funding from leaders outside of Edgewater.  The Future Energy Jobs Bills will provide Solar projects with funding & legal cover)
a) Renewable Energy - Goal:  Offshore Wind System Installed. (Goal not met. Solar Energy was the focus, with education, project planning; funding sources being explored. Off shore Wind System Installation goal not met. 
b) Green Schools - 50% Green Curriculum.  Public school goal not met although more emphasis included in classrooms.  
Benchmarks: 2015
  • a) Planning & Development - Goals Met Via an Impact Plan:  EESP providing specific input on new development.  (Three on Devon Avenue; CTA Red Line; North Lake Shore Drive; Starbucks at Broadway & Devon, Loyola Winthrop Ave. re-design)
  • b) Energy Efficiency (Reduce energy use -25% from 1990 Climate Action levels) Goal Not Met But Difficult to Quantify   Retrofits continue, including insulation and energy saving deals & rebates publicized. New construction highly efficient and EESP participates in planning to add sustainable design features in planning approval process..
  • c) Water & Air (No small gas powered engines) Goal not met, but EESP publicizes high pollutants they issue.
  • d)Parks & Greening (+15% expansion from 1998 Base Survey) Goal Met
  • e)Green Schools (50% Renewable  Energy) Goal not met. Solar being reviewed by CPS and public officials are involved in future planning discussions.. Funding an issue. 
  • f) Ongoing Education & Public Awareness:  Goals Met: Forum on Climate Change; Energy Efficiency Presentations; Go Edgewater Bicycle campaign; Stormwater Stories; Led letter writing campaign with faith groups, to congress in support EPA Clean Water Act (implemented)
Benchmarks: 2013 & 2014
  • Ongoing Education & Public Awareness campaign with regular presentations, EESP facebook page posts and EESP weekly tips in the 48th Ward Newsletter.
Benchmarks: 2012
  • Energy Efficiency (Reduce energy use -10% from 1990 Climate Action Plan levels) - Working with CNT Energy to assess and retrofit homes. Results are shown under the Energy Efficiency topic but we cannot quantify overall reduction for Edgewater.
  • Renewable Energy (Pilot geo and solar thermal systems) - Goal met - Loyola installed large geothermal and solar systems in new development. Edgewater Library opened in 2013 with geothermal and solar array.
  • Green Schools (Green Teams in All Schools) - Goal Partially met Installed in Senn, Pierce, Goudy, Hayt
  • Education & Public Awarness: Ongoing presentations & Aldermanic newsletter with regular side column of EESP tips
Benchmarks: 2011
  • Reduce, Re-Use, Recycle (20% composting at home) Target not met but commercial composting ordinance passed and restaurants now able to send approved foodstuffs for composting.  Composting bins delivered via Chicago sustainability teams.
  • Education & Public Awareness: Ongoing with meetings; green room sessions at uncommon ground
Benchmarks: 2010
  • Planning & Development - Comprehensive Neighborhood Master Plan finalized & submitted to Congress. Introduced to EPA 
  • Water & Air Resources (Reduce stormwater run off by 10%) - Unable to quantify.  Rain gardens installed, permeable pavement 
  • Parks & Natural & Green Spaces (+10% expansion) - Goal met
  • Reduce, ReUse, Recycle (Mid Level Pick Up) - Goal partially met @ approximately 55% (voluntary & buildings pay, but more have opted, especially mid level condo buildings)
  • Cleaning the Neighborhood (10% Fast Foods Involved) - Goal met
  • Education & Public Awareness: Ongoing Goals Met with multiple forums. Facebook page launched
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  • Future Edgewater2020 Published Goals We Hoped to Reach by 2020 (Strategic Plan was Revised in 2018)
    *Planning & Development-Template in use for sustainable renovation & new building projects; 
    *Energy Efficiency: 100% total energy reduction from 1990 levels; 
    *Renewable Energy (Plan Revised away from Wind)     Solar Community Loan Fund set up and solar power installations in community up 20% from 2008; geothermal installations increase
    *Water/Air Goal: 60% reduction in stormwater run off; 
    *Park & Green Spaces Goals: 20% more green space from base survey; Goal met in 2018
    *Recycle/Reduce Goals: 100% One Day Litter Clean Up (Earth Day Clean & Green event)
    Benchmark 2019: Goal Ongoing Education & Public Awareness Campaign
    Benchmark 2018:  Goal: 100% Renewable Energy Systems (This goal was set in 2010 as a target.)