Elgin to host green city symposium

Elgin leaders won't have to travel far Friday to learn more about fostering an environmentally conscious community.

The city, in cooperation with the Illinois Green Government Coordinating Council is playing host to the second annual Sustainable Cities Symposium.

The symposium seeks to encourage sustainable planning, environmentally sound transportation systems, better energy and waste management practices and other "green" community policies.

Playing host to the symposium is another step in Elgin's progression toward becoming an environmentally friendly community, city spokeswoman Sue Olafson said.

"We are so interested in the whole greening of Elgin," Olafson said. "For people in the field, this is a real positive step in learning how to build sustainable communities."

As many as 200 people are expected to attend the all-day symposium, which will be held at The Centre of Elgin.

Speakers this year for the interactive panel discussions include the former mayors of Milwaukee and Ashland, Wis., as well as other experts on sustainable cities and so-called eco-communities.

Symposium participants also will split off into small groups to discuss topics including restoring natural ecosystems and landscapes, green architecture and solar and wind power.

Olafson said Elgin officials had approached the coordinating council, through Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn's office, about being host this year.

"It was something that everybody's really interested in," she said. "(Council members Dave) Kaptain and (John) Steffen had been to the symposium last year. We actively sought them out in terms of being able to host the next one."

The free symposium is scheduled to run from 9:45 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Friday.

If you're interested in attending, you can register online at www.greensolutions.il.gov.