APRIL 2009

Green means I-GO!

This spring, green is in. But at I-GO, it was never out to begin with. Fighting global warming and climate change by reducing car ownership has been a key part of our mission from the get-go. (Along with helping you save the other sort of green by minimizing your auto expenses.) In this issue, we spotlight some of our environmental initiatives and two of I-GO’s greenest members.

Above: One of I-GO’s two new plug-in hybrid electric vehicles.

I-GO and ComEd connect on plug-in hybrids

Ever wonder what it’d be like to drive a car that gets 100 miles to the gallon?

You don’t have to wait until 2015, the deadline President Barack Obama set in his New Energy For America plan to put one million plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) on the road. Thanks to generous support from ComEd, I-GO just added two plug-in hybrids to its fleet.

The cars—converted 2009 Toyota Priuses—are located in the Millennium Park north garage at 201 E. Randolph Dr., and at 900 S. Clark St. in the AMLI 900 residential tower’s garage. (Another big thanks to AMLI Residential for providing the charging station installation at their property.)

On a fully charged battery, these cars are capable of achieving fuel economy in excess of 100 mpg within an electrically assisted range of 30 to 40 miles and reducing CO₂ emissions by up to two-thirds over the standard Prius.

But don’t take it from us. Try them out for yourselves. After logging in on our website, I-GO members can select “Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid” on the Vehicles drop-down menu in the reservation section. Or enter the vehicle ID numbers in the space below the menu: #4405 for 900 S. Clark St., #4403 for Millennium Park, 201 E. Randolph St.

More tips and guidelines for using the vehicles can be found on our website.

Operating the plug-in hybrid is similar to that of a normal Prius (and if you need tips on that, check out the Toyota Prius Quick Guide in the I-GO Member Manual). The difference, of course, is that, before you can start the car you’ll need to unplug the extension cord from the back of the car and retract it on the spool located next to the garage wall. Then, after you return the car and swipe out with your smart card, just remember to plug it back in!

New car locations

Downtown
Millennium Park north garage, 201 E. Randolph St.
2009 silver Toyota Prius plug-in hybrid
Vehicle ID# 4403
South Loop
900 S. Clark St., AMLI 900 residential tower garage
2009 silver Toyota Prius plug-in hybrid
Vehicle ID# 4405
Wicker Park
1217 N. Bosworth Ave.:
2008 silver Toyota Prius
Vehicle ID# 4409
2020 W. Evergreen Ave.:
2008 blue Toyota Prius
Vehicle ID# 4511
Near North
1360 Sandburg Terrace (second car at existing location)
2007 blue Toyota Matrix
Vehicle ID# 4546
Evanston
828 Noyes St.
2008 orange Honda Fit
Vehicle ID# 4580

Next month: I-GO is also partnering with the Chicago Park District to bring three new car locations to Horner Park in Albany Park; Ridge Park in Beverly; and Independence Park in Old Irving. We’re excited to work with the CPD in our ongoing efforts to bring car sharing to all neighborhoods across Chicago. Details to be announced in the May newsletter.

I-GO’s greenest members

To mark Earth Day this month, we’re kicking off a new series in this newsletter that profiles environmentally active I-GO members. If you’d like to be considered for inclusion in a future issue, please email us and provide a short description of your eco-tastic endeavor.

Nichole Lovett, paint pedaler

Green building practitioners are sprouting overnight these days and often offer little more than lip service. Nichole Lovett, on the other hand, literally throws herself into her work.

The Evanston resident hatched Harmony Haus, an environmentally friendly painting business, one year ago and hauls her painting supplies (Green Seal-certified materials like low-VOC paints and primers and reusable brushes and rollers made from all-natural bristles or wool) to customers’ homes and businesses in a custom-made trailer hitched to the back of her bicycle. “So far, I can haul up to 350 pounds of paints, ladders, and supplies,” Lovett tells us.

As self-sufficient as she is, though, Lovett found herself turning down a few jobs in the last year because they were either too distant or the weather was too inclement. So she joined I-GO and started using nearby I-GO cars (at 825 Hinman Ave. and 1111 Chicago Ave.) to supplement her transport needs. “I primarily use the trailer,” Lovett says, “but car sharing is great because it’s still within the confines of being green.”

Learn more about Harmony Haus’ mission, services, and rates at www.harmonyhaus.com.

Joe Baldwin, green-thumb conductor

Multimedia artist and UIC grad student Joe Baldwin shares I-GO’s view of public transit as a protean resource capable of many forms. I-GO partnered with CTA in January to create a joint smart card (soon to be available to all I-GO members, FYI) that expands public transit by linking it with car sharing. Baldwin, who often explores environmental sustainability themes in his artwork, hopes to cultivate a decidedly leafier collaboration with CTA.

“The basic concept of ‘Mobile Garden’ is creating a situation where people see transportation in a new way,” says Baldwin of a conceptual project he’s preparing to pitch to the transit agency for implementation in spring 2010. The project would transform a flat maintenance light rail car into a small garden that is attached to, and travels with, the train during the daily commute of riders for one week—possibly longer. Baldwin believes Vernon Hills-based Green Grid, a rooftop-garden installer, would be the ideal engineering firm for his movable feast of foliage. And he wants to complement the project with a same-day giveaway of plants to hundreds of commuters. Home Depot is the hoped-for sponsor for this component, which Baldwin has christened “Take a Plant to Work Day.”

We’re rooting for him. But whether or not Baldwin’s garden on rails comes to fruition, you can still chat with the artist and check out his conceptual renderings at this month’s NFO EXPO, an experimental art trade show that’s part of the alternative Version art festival, April 25-26, 1pm-8pm, at Benton House Gymnasium, 3052 S. Gratten Ave., in Bridgeport.

Earth day extended

Earth Day is Wednesday, April 22. But this year, thanks to the Obama administration’s New Energy for America plan and unprecedented stimulus funding for green-economy initiatives, Earth Day has morphed into Green Month and it seems every company, org and campus has a commemorative event. The more the merrier, we say, and I-GO will be making the rounds at several events to add car sharing to the mix of green programming on tap. If you’d like to volunteer for an event, and help I-GO spread the word about the myriad benefits of sustainable transportation, contact Lauren Hugel at lauren@igocars.org to join our volunteer network. You’ll benefit yourself: I-GO members earn one hour in driving credit for every hour they volunteer.

UIC EcoJamapalooza
Friday, April 17, 11am-2pm
East Campus Quad & Student Commons South Circle
UIC’s student group EcoCampus and the Office of Sustainability are sponsoring a fun-fair event for students that highlights sustainable transportation, energy and more. Help increase awareness about alternative transportation to students. I-GO is looking for one volunteer. If you’d like to help out, please send Lauren an e-mail at lauren@igocars.org.

Earth Month Event at Whole Foods (Lakeview)
Friday, April 17, 2pm-6pm
3300 N. Ashland
Celebrate Earth Month with other earth-friendly vendors and help spread the word about I-GO to Whole Foods customers. I-GO is looking for two volunteers. If you’d like to help out, please send Lauren an e-mail at lauren@igocars.org.

Earth Month Event at Whole Foods (Evanston)
Wednesday, April 22, 4pm-6pm
111 Chicago Ave.
Celebrate Earth Month and spread the word about I-GO to Whole Foods customers. I-GO is looking for one volunteer. If you’d like to help out, please send Lauren an e-mail at lauren@igocars.org.

2nd Annual Auburn Gresham Earth Day Celebration
Thursday, April 23, 9am-noon
518 W. 79th
The Greater Auburn Gresham Development Corporation, in association with Alderman Latasha Thomas (17th Ward), and the Winneconna Lakes Improvement Association are hosting their 2nd Annual Earth Day Event to raise environmental awareness. I-GO reps will be there to demonstrate economical and environmental transportation alternatives. I-GO does not need any volunteer help for this event, but feel free to stop by and say “Hi”!

University of Chicago Earth Fest
Friday, April 24, 11am-2pm
Rosenwald Building (Main Quad)
The Sustainability Council of the U of C is providing an opportunity for students and faculty to become acquainted with local business, organizations and other groups in Chicago. I-GO will be there spreading the good word. I-GO does not need any volunteer help for this event, but we’d love to see you if you’re in the area.

North Lake Shore Earth Day
Saturday, April 25, 9am-4:30pm
Loyola (Rogers Park Campus)
Loyola University Chicago and the communities of Andersonville, Edgewater, Ravenswood, Rogers Park, Uptown and West Ridge are hosting the 2nd North Lake Shore Earth day celebration. I-GO has been invited to help inform community members about global and local environmental issues such as clean air and energy alternatives, as well as practical, everday ways to green one’s home and business. I-GO is looking for a few volunteers to help staff this event. If you’d like to help out, please send Lauren an e-mail at lauren@igocars.org.

Green Festival
Saturday-Monday, May 16-18
Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Ave.
This is the big one, folks: the annual nationally touring environmental juggernaut known as Green Fest. The fest’s Chicago stop will include the works and then some: 125 renowned authors, leaders, and educators; 350 eco-friendly businesses comprising a unique marketplace; workshops, green films, kids’ activities, live music; and delicious, organic, vegetarian cuisine. I-GO will again have a major presence at the fest, and we always depend on volunteers to help staff our booth. (You’ll get free admission, natch.) It’s always a thrilling, enlightening event, and we hope you’ll join us for it! Email Lauren at lauren@igocars.org.

New business member plans at I-GO

Effective April 1, 2009, I-GO has initiated three exciting, new plans for business members: GO Business Basic, GO Business Economy, and GO Business Green. For more details on each plan’s advantages, fees, and rates, and how I-GO can save your business big bucks, see our new business plan web page. To sign up, contact Richard Kosmacher for a business application today.

We’d like to give a big shout-out to our three newest business members. We appreciate their support and encourage you to check them out for yourselves.

JAB Real Estate 1800 W. Berenice Ave., Ste. 200, (773) 472-9600
JAB Real Estate is a residential real estate brokerage serving the Chicago metropolitan area. They represent buyers, sellers, and residential developers, with properties ranging from condominium apartments to exclusive single family homes. JAB Real Estate is also the exclusive listing agent for JAB Partners, Ltd., a residential real estate development team that’s been creating contemporary homes in Chicago’s most popular areas. JAB Partners’ properties range from completely rehabbed condominium conversions to newly constructed single-family homes with designer finishes and modern amenities that discerning homeowners expect.
Primestor Development 120 N. LaSalle St., Ste. 1210, (312) 345-4700
Primestor Development, Inc. administers assets under management, development and construction. Its diverse real estate portfolio includes residential units, office buildings, community retail centers, power centers, strip centers, and land. Primestor’s deep understanding of minority markets emphasizes community input, and the company works closely with redevelopment agencies, business improvement districts, neighborhood groups, community leaders and local municipalities.
Six Point Chicago
Six Point Chicago is a resource for furthering the careers and promoting the endeavors of forward-thinking electronic musicians and DJs, with a focus on integrating newcomers into the Chicago culture and scene. For more info, email Micada at sixpointchicago@gmail.com.

New Chi-Town Rewards participants

Our Chi-Town Rewards Program is a fantastic way for businesses to reach I-GO’s fast-growing, diverse group of members and it’s an even better way for I-GO members to save money at participating businesses. Just present your I-GO smart card at any participating business for member discounts. For more information on becoming a Chi-Town Rewards business, contact Clare Wisner at clare@igocars.org. Here’s the latest CTR addition:

The Adler Planetarium 1300 S. Lake Shore Dr., 312-922-STAR
The landmark planetarium’s environmental sensibilities have always been down-to-earth. Adler was already a business member with I-GO, and naturally, we’re thrilled to equip the Adler’s staff with access to fuel-efficient I-GO cars, suitable for orbiting around Chicago and shuttling back and forth to the grocery store. Now they’ve given Chi-Town Rewards a boost as well. I-GO Member offer: two for one general admission

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