TELL US WHAT YOU'RE DOING TO IMPROVE LOCAL AIR QUALITY; YOU COULD WIN A TOYOTA PRIUS!

CHICAGO – Partners for Clean Air, an organization dedicated to improving air quality in the Chicago metropolitan area, has launched its 10^th annual “Green Pays on Green Days” summertime campaign.  The goal of this year’s program, which runs from June 1 through August 31, is to find out what Chicago-area residents are doing to improve air quality, while motivating them to do more to reduce air pollution.

As part of the campaign, local residents are asked to complete a brief survey about the actions they are taking to improve air quality.  These actions include things like using compact fluorescent light bulbs in fixtures at home, using a programmable thermostat to save energy and reduce cooling costs, and unplugging chargers when not in use.  Eligible residents who take the survey will be entered into a drawing to win a 2012 Toyota Prius hybrid vehicle, donated by Your Chicagoland Toyota Dealers.  Finalists for the Prius will be drawn on days when the local air quality forecast is good, or “green” on the Air Quality Index.  For more information or to enter the contest, visit www.cleantheair.org.

“This is a special year for us, as we celebrate the 10^th year of our award-winning Green Pays on Green Days community education program,” said Kim Biggs, chairperson for Partners for Clean Air.  “Through our ongoing outreach, surveys and events, we have tracked incredible progress among Chicago-area residents when it comes to air quality education and individual action.  We look forward to leading the charge for clean air for many years to come.”

Green Pays on Green Days targets residents in the following eight counties in Illinois: Cook, DuPage, Grundy, Kane, Kendall, Lake, McHenry and Will.  The campaign will be promoted through a variety of media outlets, as well as at community events at zoos, sporting arenas, farmers’ markets and other venues across the city and suburbs.  For a list of upcoming Partners for Clean Air events in the eight-county metropolitan area, visit www.cleantheair.org.

Founded in 1995, Partners for Clean Air is a coalition dedicated to bringing cleaner air to the Chicago metropolitan area.  It unites businesses, organizations and individuals all committed to reducing harmful emissions and improving air quality.  For more information, visit www.cleantheair.org.