Go Green Greater La Grange Monthly Update:


March 2026

"Recycle the present, save the future." ~Anonymous
 

Tip of the Month:

Drive Less

Fewer miles driven means fewer emissions. Take public transit or carpool with friends instead of driving alone when possible.
 
 

President's Note:


What an amazing month! It feels as though this time of year always sneaks up and catches me a bit off guard. We had a wonderful evening celebrating our volunteers at this year’s Volunteer Appreciation Event. A special thanks to our partners at the La Grange Park Public Library for helping make this event an overwhelming success, you are very much appreciated!


For those of you who are less familiar with our organization, we host a summer intern program focussed on rising seniors in Lyons Township High School and Nazareth Academy (see below flyer for for details). This program was created to help cultivate 'green leaders' within our own communities by giving them hands on experience with program development and networking opportunities to better understand the landscape around environmentalism in their own backyards. This year, we had the honor of recognizing last year's Green Leadership Award recipient Gwendolyn Strickler for her hard work and dedication during the summers of 2025. We wish her all of the best as she ventures out into the world!


We also, had the distinct honor of recognizing our volunteer of the year Carrie McKinnerny. Her time and dedication to our organization was unmatched in 2025. When crisis hit and our Spring Clothing and Textile event ran into a blizzard, Carrie took charge and helped organize a group of volunteers to help dry and sort the materials to carry out our mission, staying well beyond her volunteered hours; she then took it a step further and signed up to help guide our Special Collections Committee. Her insight and efforts are truly appreciated.


Thank you both for your time and energy!



Warmest regards,


Alexandria Zuck

Board President

Go Green Greater LaGrange
 
Make sure to check out our recycling resource guide here!
 

 

Environmental Priorities for Illinois in 2026


1. Illinois is at a critical moment for climate action

Environmental groups are pushing for stronger clean energy, transportation electrification, and pollution reduction policies to protect air, water, and public health across the state.

2. Clean energy and efficiency save money and reduce pollution

Expanding renewable energy and energy efficiency programs can lower utility bills, create jobs, and cut emissions this makes communities healthier and more affordable.

3. Protecting land and water is a top priority

Advocates are working to prevent pollution and harmful development while protecting Illinois rivers, wildlife habitat, and natural areas.

4. Community action makes a real difference

Local volunteering, cleanups, and advocacy efforts are important ways residents can help protect the environment and improve their communities.

5. ✔️ Make your voice heard and Vote!

Environmental policies are shaped by elected officials. Voting is one of the most important ways to support clean air, clean water, and climate solutions in Illinois.


Click here to read more!
 

Community Spotlight Series:


Please feel free to email directly at info@gogreenglg.org if you have any additional questions.
 

2026 Upcoming Meeting Dates:

-Board Meeting: Thursday July 16th, 2026 7:00PM (La Grange Public Library)

-Board Meeting: Thursday October 15, 2026 7:00PM (La Grange Park Public Library)


2026 Collection and Program Dates:

-Artificial Turf and Sports Fields Presentation: March 12, 2026 (La Grange Public Library)

-Spring Clothing & Textile Take-Back: March 15, 2026 (St. Michael's Lutheran)

-Navigating Solar Options: March 25, 2026 (La Grange Village Hall)

-Earth Day Seed Exchange: April 11, 2026 (La Grange Public Library)

-Spring Electronics Recycling: May 9th , 2026 (La Grange Park Public Works)

-Sandal and Shoe Share: June 6, 2026 (La Grange Public Library)

-Annual Going Green Fundraiser: June 20, 2026 (Milk Money Brewing Company)

-Sustainable Summer Expo: August 8, 2026 (Plymouth Place, Dole Hall)

-Native Plant Sale: September (TBD)
 

Volunteers Still Needed:

Click here to help keep this event on your community calendar!

Green Leaderhip Applications Now Open Click Here!
 

Crafters for Climate:

Let's "make-it" happen!


Makers, we are looking for ideas about what our next workshop should be.


If you are a maker and would like to share your craft please reach out to us directly at:

info@gogreenglg.org
 

Are you interested in learning more?

Know your impact:

Use this interactive calculator to

learn your carbon footprint and actions you can take to reduce it.
Click Here to Calculate Your Carbon Footprint Now
IEC 2025 Environmental Legislative Update
Click here to see if your community is one of the 161 to have already made the commitment to a greener Chicagoland!
 
Sign up for Overflow Action Alert text messages:
Did you know that snow and ice can cause too much water entering the sewer system? Sign up to receive Overflow Action Alert text messages year round at this link. When we announce an Overflow Action Alert, you will be reminded to reduce your use of water before, during and after a storm to help prevent excess water from entering local sewers. Learn more at https://mwrd.org/overflow-prevention

Click here to learn about how you can help to conserve water and prevent flooding.
 

Thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act Democrats in Congress passed last year, there are new energy cost-saving benefits available right now, including:

  • 30% back for the cost of many clean energy upgrades to your home, including solar panels, water heaters, and battery storage, no matter the price.
  • Up to $1,200 to add insulation, install new exterior windows and doors, or other improvements that increase the energy efficiency of your home.
  • Up to $2,000 for a new heat pump (which can provide efficient air conditioning and heating) as well as a heat-pump water heater.
  • 30% off the cost of installing a new electric vehicle charger if you live in a rural or underserved community.



Go Green LaGrange had the pleasure of listening to this Webinar hosted by the Cook County Department of Environment and Sustainability on Recycling guidelines in Cook County. We hope to share it with any interested participants. Click here if you are interested in hearing more!



Looking to continue cleaning out your home or business in an environmentally conscious manner? Consider this:


Center for Hard to Recycle Materials

Cook County has partnered with South Suburban College to create the Center for Hard to Recycle Materials (CHaRM Center). This is a permanent recycling drop-off facility available to Cook County residents that helps divert millions of pounds of waste and other hard-to-recycle items from regional landfills and water systems. More information about materials accepted at the CHaRM Center can be found below. 

This project is being supported, in whole or in part, by federal award number ALN 21.027 awarded to Cook County by the U.S. Department of the Treasury.

Location 

15800 State St., South Holland, IL 60473. The drop-off site is located on north side of campus in the overflow parking lot. Enter at traffic signal on State Street.

Hours 

  • Every Tuesday: 7 a.m. - noon 
  • Every Thursday: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m. 
  • 2nd Saturday every month: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. (TVs accepted during Saturday hours only)


Click here for a more comprehensive list of accepted materials!
 
 
Click Here for Dark Skies Presentation Recording
 

Interested in how to turn your parkway into a gardening opportunity!

Two experienced native plant gardeners will give you a virtual guided tour of their stunning parkway gardens and share tips, challenges and successes in turning this challenging area into habitat.Go Green LaGrange had the pleasure of listening to this Webinar hosted by the West Cook Wild Ones. We hope to share it with any interested participants. Click here if you are interested in hearing more!

Green Infrastructure and Flood Mitigation


“We will have a bigger impact if we think systemically,” Frisbie explains in her one-on-one interview with WBEZ’s Sasha-Ann Simons this week. Spearheading the Greater Chicago Watershed Alliance, Friends and Watershed Alliance members, are pushing for substantial shifts in watershed governance and infrastructural development and maintenance.


The use of nature-based green infrastructure leverages the inherent intelligence and resiliency of nature to develop future-focused strategies for just and sustainable living. Developing tactics for educating local leaders, planning and policy experts, and the public, the Watershed Alliance urges that we think with nature, rather than against it.

Click here to learn more!

Interested in learning more about Composting?


Don't worry if you missed it you can still click here to learn more!


Join Mark Teegen, owner of IFSCC member organization Teegen Compost, and learn about his community garden and backyard compost services. Mark takes trimmings from gardens and shreds them to return the material to an available bin onsite which completes the composting process locally. Mark will highlight the benefits and circularity of a typical compost season for residents and community gardeners, Teegen Compost Style!


Want to learn more about Carbon Capture the Good, the Bad and the Ugly?


Thank you to the League of Women Voters of La Grange Area for hosting this informative presentation. Don't worry. if you missed the presentation, click here to view the recording.


Click here to watch an introductory video from the Science & Environmental Health Network.

Save the Monarchs, Heres How:


The International Union for Conservation of Nature has added migratory monarch butterflies to their list of Threatened Species. This means Monarch butterflies are now in danger of extinction. In fact, 99.9% of the Western monarch butterfly population has disappeared since 1980.


We all can help by planting milkweed which is the monarch caterpillar's only source of food. And since Fall is the best time to plant milkweed, hurry and visit mwrd.org/save-monarchs to take the pledge to receive free milkweed seeds to help save monarchs. 
 
 
Donate Now


How to Donate

  1. Donate cash or checks at our in-person events.
  2. Mail checks to:

Go Green LaGrange,

PO Box 11

La Grange, IL 60525

If you are interested in volunteering with us please check out our sign-up genius here or on our webpage at GoGreenGLG.org or email us directly at info@gogreenglg.org

Go Green LaGrange, a NFP Corp | PO Box 11 | La Grange, IL 60525 US

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