Public Act 98-0782
"Each person has the right to a healthful environment. The public policy of the State and the duty of each person is to provide and maintain a healthful environment for the benefit of this and future generations."
"Our great responsibility is to be good ancestors."
Protecting the right to a healthful environment is one of the most important duties of the Governor. Indeed, it is the duty of every person in Illinois to provide and maintain a healthful environment for our time and for future generations.
On July 24, 2009, Gov. Quinn signed a series of environmental sustainability bills creating the Green Buildings Act to require green practices in state government construction, requiring composting for maintenance of state lands, and focusing on green government.
On February 18, 2014, Gov. Quinn announced that the U.S. Green Building Council had ranked Illinois number one among all 50 states in the sustainable building design movement, with more than 29 million square feet of certified green buildings, or 2.29 square feet for every resident.
View the Governor’s Office Press Release of Quinn Announcing Illinois is the Nation's Top Green Building State.
On May 6, 2009, Gov. Quinn signed an agreement between the Illinois Department of Central Management Services and the city of Springfield to purchase wind power to be used by state facilities in the capital city in order to power all state CMS-managed buildings in Springfield with 100 percent wind-generated electricity.
View the Governor’s Office Press Release of Quinn Signing Wind Power Purchase Agreement with the City of Springfield .
"Leave no child inside."
Shortly after taking office, Gov. Quinn reopened seven state parks that had been closed by his predecessor. 44 million citizens visit our state parks and other sites each year, generating an estimated $790 million in overall economic impact in Illinois.
View the Governor’s Office Press Release of Quinn Calling on IDNR to Reopen State Parks .
Gov. Quinn invested in parks and open spaces through the Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) program to give the public more access to parks and open space. Projects varied from small neighborhood parks to large community parks and nature areas.
On April 23, 2009, Gov. Quinn announced the reopening of 11 state historic sites that had been closed by his predecessor.
View the Governor’s Office Press Release of Quinn Announcing Reopening of State Historic Sites.