Ill. officials give 26 environmental awards

State officials are presenting 26 "Environmental Hero Awards" to individuals and groups who have shown commitment to environmental health and protection.

Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn says those receiving the awards have done a lot of work to make Illinois a cleaner and better place to live.

Those winning awards include Mike Coy, a science teacher at Northside Prep High School. He's the founder of the Chicago school's Club for Alternative Sources of Energy.

Other winners include Resurrection Lutheran Church, which has installed a solar hot water system and the Little Village Environmental Justice Organization. The Chicago group has helped local gardeners promote healthy lifestyles and communities.