Environmental Progress - Fall 2003

Green Pays on Green Days Rewards Chicago Area Resident with Toyota Prius

Second year another success

On Sept. 25, the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency and Partners for Clean Air closed the 2003 "Green Pays on Green Days" program with a drawing for the grand prize, a 2004 Toyota Prius.

Henry Kowalski of Chicago won the hybrid vehicle, donated by the Chicagoland/Northwest Indiana Toyota Dealers, during a reception held at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum in Chicago, honoring both the sponsors and many individuals who made the program a success.

Senator John Cullerton (D-Chicago), NBC5 Weather Anchor Tammie Souza and Breathe Easy Man joined Illinois EPA Director Renee Cipriano for the event. Ms. Souza drew Kowalski's name from finalists who had been "Green Day" winners earlier in the summer.

The Kowalski family also participated in the Green Pays on Green Days program in 2002.

In its second year, the program is an educational initiative targeting Chicago area residents who are asked to take "green actions" such as carpooling, taking public transportation, and conserving energy at home to reduce air pollution.

"Our primary focus for Green Pays on Green Days was to reach out and educate individuals in the Chicago area on the impacts we all have on air quality," said Director Cipriano.

Each day that air quality was forecast to be "green" or good, one name was randomly selected from the names of thousands of individuals who "took the clean air pledge" to reduce air pollution. Those not selected to receive the grand prize received a bicycle valued at more than $300, with assistance from Richards Bicycles in Palos Heights.

"Our common goal to improve air quality in the Chicago Metropolitan area is being reached through the dedication of many local residents as well as the partnerships formed through this program," added Director Cipriano.

Green Pays on Green Days was open to residents of Cook, DuPage, Grundy, Kane, Kendall, Lake, McHenry and Will counties in Illinois. Entrants pledged to take "green actions" such as carpooling, taking public transportation, and conserving energy at home.