David Pope Named to County Sustainability Panel

Village President will be taking on a new role in the realm of all things green.

The Oak Park leader has been tapped to be on the newly formed Cook County Sustainability Advisory Council. The announcement was made by Board President Toni Preckwinkle at a news conference last week.

Pope said he was honored by the appointment and is certain it is recognition for Oak Park’s efforts to become a more sustainable community.

“There’s real interest in figuring out how we can collaborate effectively across 100-plus communities across Cook County to be able to have a broader impact. It’s great to see the commitment that the County is bringing to this,” he said. “It’s a testament to President Preckwinkle and her effort to really bring some positive change to the work that the county does. I’m pleased to help in any way I can.”

In a statement, Preckwinkle said the group’s intent was to do nothing less than “establish Cook County as a world-class model of sustainability, efficiency and conservation,” she said. “I urge council members to ask tough questions and to think outside the box in setting goals for sustainability. This Council should be a catalyst for policies that will make Cook County environmentally, socially and economically sustainability now and for the long haul.”

That will be no small order. Pope said the group will provide guidance and advice on how to help improve county air quality, reduce waste and water consumption, increase recycling and help improve energy efficiency. There was interest in partnering and collaborating on this effort with other public jurisdictions, and private groups and individuals throughout the county and the region, he said.

He said the group, which will be co-chaired by ComEd President and CEO Anne R. Pramaggiore and University of Illinois Board Chairman Christopher G. Kennedy, will meet four to five times a year to help provide guidance and insight to Deborah Stone, the director of Cook County Environmental Control.

The group will soon come together to initially identify the key priorities the group will work on, Pope said.

 “It’s an important opportunity to be engaged and help think through some of those issues and learn more about what other places doing as well,” he added.

Pope, who also serves as co-chair of the Metropolitan Mayors’ Caucus’ environmental committee, said his new role will not have an impact on his responsibilities as village president.