top of page

Resilient

nature_play_child_puddle-Parktalk_edited.jpg

A resilient and sustainable community is one that is able to minimize, withstand and bounce back from economic, social and environmental disruptions - while also ensuring future generations can thrive.  A resilient community must have all three components to thrive.  Planning for resilience (current thriving) and sustainability (future thriving) touches every part of community development and planning - from zoning variances and pollinator habitat, to economic development planning, and diversity, equity and inclusion.

The
Approach

Creating the Naperville Environment and Sustainability Task Force and serving as the Chair has allowed Jodi to dive deeply into our community and city functions.  The process of developing the Sustainable Naperville 2036 report recommendations identified several ways to implement sustainable development, build a resilient economy, reduce waste, improve transportation, provide equitable access to renewable resources, connect our community, protect our valuable resources - and save taxpayer money.  To ensure Naperville is future-ready and resilient, Sustainable Naperville 2036 recommendations need to be more strategically implemented including:

 

(Highlights of Jodi's community work that are foundational to the recommended initiatives are indicated in purple)

 

  1. Incorporate "Sustainability and Resilience" as priorities into City directives and strategic planning

    1. Implement a citizen-driven 5-year strategic planning cycle with standardized performance indicators 

      • 2007:  Became a founding Director for Naperville for Clean Energy and Conservation (NCEC) to advocate for clean energy and educate Naperville residents and businesses about renewable energy and energy efficiency. 

      • 2007:  Successfully lobbied with NCEC for the creation of city’s first environmental sustainability plan 

      • 2008:  Successfully lobbied with NCEC to add the words “environmental stewardship” to city values (Removed in 2015) 

  2. Commit to and prioritize greenhouse gas reductions

A.  Prioritize transitioning to clean energy by developing a plan for driving or divorcing IMEA 

  • 2007:  Lobbied AGAINST entering into our current IMEA contract

  • 2007:  Successfully lobbied with NCEC to have City conduct first greenhouse gas inventory

  • 2018:  Jodi approached the Naperville Electric Utility to begin discussions about transitioning to clean energy and distributed generation, leading to the establishment of the Naperville Environment and Sustaianbility Task Force Council advisory task force in 2019

  • 2019-21:  Led the effort working with City staff, Council members, community organizations, local businesses and the Chamber of Commerce, and over 40 community expert volunteers to create and author the Sustainable Naperville 2036 report for implementation as directed by City Council

  1. Increase capacity and accessibility to renewable energy

    • Work to develop community solar projects

2008-10:  Promoted the City's voluntary Renewable Energy Program

2018:  Successfully lobbied IPSD Board to install solar for Metea HS, which would save over $1,500,000 in electricity costs

2021:  Initiated discussion with NCSD 203 to implement solar and electric bus infrastructure

  1. Increase energy efficiency incentives

    • 2007:  Successfully lobbied for Home Energy Audit and Efficiency program  (Discontinued 2015)

  2. Plan for safe active mobility biking and electric vehicles

Adopt governmental best-practices and strategies to improve efficiencies, reduce waste, and reduce government spending (eg. Transitioning 30% of City fleet vehicles to electric could save over $300,000 in fuel and maintenance costs annually - See Sustainable Naperville 2036 for details and other ways to save!)

bottom of page