April 20, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For more information, contact Andre Garner, Director of Communications & Public Affairs, at 773-562-8874 or email Garner at afgarner@cookcountygov.com.

Cook County Department of Environmental Control Marks Earth Day With Public Education Effort  

See below for high-resolution photo.

Chicago – Laneesha Barker (right to left), Dr. Mark Sengstacke, Darlene Rivera and Alberta Dent of the Cook County Department of Environmental Control hand off recycling literature to a member of the public (left) at the department's Earth Day table in the lobby of the Dunn Administration Building on March 20. The Department distributed hundreds of pieces of literature on topics that range from recycling to radon detection.

"The public sector has a responsibility to support environmentally sound practices," says County Board President Todd Stroger. "These kinds of public education events are an important part of that effort."

The Cook County Environmental Control Department was originally known as the Air Pollution Control Bureau when it was created under the supervision of the Building and Zoning Department in 1963 -- the same year the Cook County Board created legislation to address the importance of preserving, protecting and improving the air, water, and land resources for present and future Cook County residents. It's under the terms of that legislation -- the Cook County Environmental Control Ordinance -- that the Department of Environmental Control operates throughout suburban Cook County.

The ordinance has been amended several times since its original adoption to reflect changes in air pollution control strategies. The current ordinance contains regulations to permit and control emissions of air pollutants, noise, vibration and indoor asbestos abatement.

"President Stroger has charged all Cook County departments with developing strategies to support environmentally sound policies in our work, from construction procedures to recycling in the office environment," said Sengstacke, who serves as the Assistant Director of the Department. "Public education is a critical component of this, and we're happy to have the opportunity to help get the word out to County residents."

Department director Kevin Givens agrees. "Our mandate ranges from monitoring air quality to helping get the word out about ozone action alerts," says Given. "Earth Day presents one more opportunity to help people learn about hands-on ways to recycle, reduce solid waste, and help build a healthier environment." 

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