Chicago Area Clean Cities Expands Statewide, Changes Name

The Chicago Area Clean Cities Coalition announced it has expanded statewide, changing its name to the Illinois Alliance for Clean Transportation (IACT).

IACT, headquartered in Chicago, with an office in Illinois' state capital of Springfield, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The Chicago-based coalition was the 5th Clean Cities coalition to launch under the U.S. DOE’s Clean Cities program. IACT is one of the DOE’s more than 75 Clean Cities coalitions.

The coalition has been working with businesses and government fleets, as well as auto dealers and the public for nearly 30 years to help them transition to sustainable transportation. Membership is comprised of federal, state, and local governments, corporations, small businesses, and individuals. Members come together to share information and resources, educate the public, help craft public policy, and collaborate on projects that help to reduce transportation emissions and petroleum use.

“We are expanding our Clean Cities’ educational efforts in a way that provides unbiased help to identify ways to reduce emissions and go green in the transportation sector," Illinois Alliance for Clean Transportation Chair John W. Walton said. "By naming ourselves IACT, we are hoping YOU will ACT to make a difference in reducing vehicle emissions and improving the environment.”

With the expansion statewide, IACT launched a new website. IACT’s new logo is featured at the top of the site. The logo reflects the coalition’s roots in Chicago with its art-deco design, featuring the Clean Cities’ sun, the state of Illinois, a road, and the sun’s rays emanating across the state.

Clean Cities organizations support the nation’s energy and economic security by building partnerships to advance affordable domestic transportation fuels, energy efficient mobility systems and other fuel-saving technologies and practices, according to a press release. The coalitions work to advance alternative fuels, alternative fuel vehicles, and sustainable vehicle technologies such as electric vehicles and their charging infrastructure. The efforts reduce the nation’s dependence on imported oil, improve air quality, support local jobs, drive economic development, and promote improved quality of life.