Green Space

State Signs First “Green” Lease for Office Space

Illinois government is going green. For example, the State is leading the green building trend – instituting a pilot program that will provide new, environmentally-friendly offices.

In 2006, the CMS property management team awarded its first-ever competitive bid for “green” office space – a lease whose landlord agrees to conform to green building practices. Green building practices promote environmentally responsible construction methods and energy-efficient practices that reduce building energy use and costs.

CMS, which oversees the state's 60 million square feet of owned and leased office space, will manage a green lease in Chicago for two State agencies.

Under the pilot program, the property is being rehabbed using green building practices – such as properly disposing of interior construction materials, using recycled materials for carpeting and selecting energy-efficient lighting fixtures – so the agencies can move to the office space in mid-2007.

Based on the pilot – the first green lease that the State has executed, and one of the first by any tenant in Illinois – CMS believes it will be possible to save money and reduce the overall cost of leasing property while conforming to green building construction and management processes. Green building guidelines in the space request include the use of alternative materials such as cork or natural linoleum which are replenishable and do not release harmful chemicals.

The State hopes its first green lease will set the path for the private sector to follow, making office tenants more familiar with green space and increasing the market for it.

“We're promoting social equity for the environment and at the same time getting highly competitive prices,” said CMS Director Paul Campbell. “If you own office space and are interested in leasing, this is something you need to know about."

CMS has created a list of green building suppliers and products to help Illinois businesses and homeowners “green” their offices and homes.