Lawmakers, students discuss going 'green'
Students at the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy in Aurora know how to put their ideas into action.
On Tuesday, a student group called Synergy created the school's inaugural Green Panel and asked five state legislators to discuss their environmental initiatives and answer questions.
Senior Kevin Crews, a Green Panel organizer, said students also will send reports they create on environmental innovations to the legislators and members of the Environmental Protection Agency.
"We hope to spark some ideas and make sure our ideas are in good hands," Crews said.
Students heard from Democratic state Reps. Naomi Jakobsson of Champaign, Linda Chapa LaVia of Aurora and Elaine Nekritz of Des Plaines and state Sen. Linda Holmes of Aurora, as well as Republican Rep. Dave Winters of Rockford. Each spoke for about 10 minutes on "green" initiatives they've sponsored, as well as how they personally conserve resources.
"There are good ways of being green in our daily lives," said Jakobsson, who told students her home was recently photographed with an infrared lens to reveal hot and cold spots that need energy-saving insulation.
"I want to be sure I'm taking care of whatever I can take care of on a personal basis," she said.
After hearing about existing or proposed legislation dealing with mercury reduction, capping greenhouse gas emissions and conserving water, Chapa LaVia challenged students to a "homework assignment." Some students groaned, but many took notes as she asked them to follow the paths of four bills and a joint resolution that all deal with the environment.
"It's on the backs of every generation to do something about this," Chapa LaVia said.
While several students posed questions to the lawmakers regarding details of existing bills, junior Vlad Kontsevar wanted to know how they were addressing environmental education in schools.
All five legislators agreed lawmakers aren't doing enough.
"Every time we go into meetings we hear 'you're mandating this,'" Chapa La Via said. "So it's hard to implement that. It's a mindset that has to change."