News Releases - 2003

Final Weeks For Chicago Area Residents To Enter "Green Pays on Green Days"

Springfield, Ill. -- Residents of the Greater Chicagoland area have just two weeks remaining to "take the clean air pledge" as the Green Pays on Green Days program, sponsored by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency and Partners for Clean Air, enters its final weeks.

"This initiative was created to educate citizens on ways to improve air quality from an individual perspective," said Illinois EPA Director Renee Cipriano. "We have had an overwhelming response to the program this year, and we anticipate added participation in the final two weeks of the program."

Green Pays on Green Days, which began on June 2 and will end on September 1, has already rewarded Chicago area residents for pledging to take "green actions". For each day that the air quality in the Chicago metro region is forecasted to be good or green, one individual is selected as a "Green Day" prizewinner. Each of these winners receives an environmentally-friendly prize package and have been entered into the Grand Prize drawing.

There are only 15 days remaining to take the clean air pledge and potentially win a new electric-hybrid Toyota Prius. Green Pays on Green Days has proven to be an exciting program that is educating area residents on ways to reduce air pollution that leads to ground-level ozone or smog.

"Every citizen has the opportunity to improve air quality and benefit the environment simply by taking responsible actions," added Director Cipriano. "Green Pays on Green Days offers Chicago area residents a fun and exciting way to clean the air."

The Chicago area has had 26 green days since the beginning of Green Pays on Green Days, and more are expected in the program's final weeks. The programs final event will be a live Grand Prize drawing on September 25, 2003 at 5:30 p.m.

The closing event will take place at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum in Chicago. At that time, one entry will be randomly selected from the eligible "Green Day" winners to win the Grand Prize, 2004 Toyota Prius, a super ultra-low emissions vehicle, donated by the Chicagoland/Northwest Indiana Toyota Dealers.

Green Pays on Green Days is open to residents of Cook, DuPage, Grundy, Kane, Kendall, Lake, McHenry and Will counties in Illinois. Citizens can continue to enter during the final weeks by signing up at area events (list below) and completing tear-off cards available from Green Pays posters throughout the area. Additionally, participants can also register electronically at www.NBC5.com.

Further details on the Green Pays on Green Days program are available at www.cleantheair.org/greenpays. The program has been made possible through generous contributions by Chicago area businesses and organizations.

Upcoming Events with Green Pays on Green Days Sign-ups

August 20-24 Will County Fair
August 23 Highland Park Art Festival at WNUA Booth (with Breathe Easy Man)
August 24 15th Annual Viva! Chicago Latin Music Festival (with Breathe Easy Man)
August 29 25th Annual Chicago Jazz Festival (with Breathe Easy Man)