Illinois Green Alliance Announces 20th Annual Emerald Awards Honoring Green Building Leadership
2025 Honorees Spotlight the Power of Developers and Communities Driving Illinois Toward a Net Zero Future
Chicago, IL — Illinois Green Alliance is proud to announce the recipients of this year’s Emerald Awards for their exceptional work in putting Illinois on a path to 100% healthy, high-performing net zero buildings.
This year's awards honor A.J. Patton, founder and CEO of 548 Enterprise, for his groundbreaking work advancing high-performance affordable housing and equitable workforce pathways, and the City of Evanston for its pioneering role in municipal climate policy and sustainable development.
Launched in 2008, the Emerald Awards celebrate the people and organizations making Illinois a national leader in net zero buildings. The 2025 honorees showcase how bold leadership—from private-sector developers to local governments—can spark systemic change and set new standards for high-performance design and construction that lowers costs, reduces pollution, and creates avenues to clean energy jobs.
“Both of this year’s honorees exemplify how leadership at every level—whether through bold, individual action or municipal policy—can chart a path toward a more equitable, sustainable future,” said Brian Imus, Executive Director of Illinois Green Alliance. “Their work demonstrates the power of pairing vision with action to make net zero buildings a reality for communities across Illinois.”
A.J. Patton, this year’s Net Zero Hero honoree for individual leadership, has built a reputation as a champion for high-performance affordable housing and equitable development in Chicago. His projects—including a high-efficiency complex in Auburn Gresham, a passive house in West Humboldt Park, and the city’s largest PHIUS-certified development, Humboldt Park Passive Living—demonstrate how innovative design can reduce resident utility bills while expanding access to sustainable, affordable housing.
Beyond his work in green development, Patton leverages his role at 548 Enterprise to drive systemic change by integrating real estate, capital, energy solutions, and workforce pathways into one platform. In 2024, through 548 Foundation, he secured $9 million to launch clean energy pre-apprenticeship programs on Chicago’s West and Southwest sides, growing opportunities in the green economy. A sought-after speaker and advocate, he uses his expertise to inspire other developers to embrace net zero, and his leadership has been recognized with honors including Crain’s 40 Under 40, the Northern Trust Inspiring Hope Award, and the Black Professional Network’s Men of Honor Award.
The City of Evanston will be honored this year as the recipient of the Organizational Emerald Award for leadership in advancing municipal climate policy. With the adoption of its Climate Action and Resilience Plan (CARP) in 2018, Evanston set ambitious targets—including carbon neutrality by 2050, 100% renewable electricity by 2030, and zero waste—and has already made significant progress, reducing community-wide carbon emissions by 36% since 2005 and transitioning city operations to 100% green power.
In 2025, Evanston strengthened its leadership by becoming the first city in Illinois to adopt the state’s new stretch energy code and passing the Healthy Buildings Ordinance, making it only the second city in the Midwest with a building performance standard. These policy milestones reflect a collaborative effort with building professionals, community leaders, and advocates, positioning Evanston as a model for municipalities across Illinois and demonstrating how local action can drive equitable, sustainable change.
“This year’s Emerald Award honorees demonstrate how advancing net zero is not just about reducing carbon — it’s about re-imagining what’s possible for our communities,” said Deana Haynes, Illinois Green Alliance Board Chair. “Through bold leadership and a commitment to local communities, they are proving that sustainable buildings and policies can uplift residents, lower costs, and accelerate Illinois’ transition to a cleaner and healthier future. Their work embodies Illinois Green’s mission to make net zero achievable, accessible, and impactful across every community in our state.”
The public is invited to celebrate these sustainability achievements at Illinois Green’s annual Emerald Awards and Limelight Celebration on September 25 at mHub, located at 1623 W. Fulton Street in Chicago. Tickets to the event and presentation of the Emerald Awards are available online. For more information regarding Limelight, contact Matt Watson at mwatson@illinoisgreenalliance.org or visit www.illinoisgreenalliance.org.  
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About Illinois Green Alliance  
Illinois Green Alliance is a membership directed nonprofit organization working to transform the region’s built environment to become ecologically sustainable, profitable, and healthy. To do so, we engage community leaders and utilize member expertise in education and community outreach through targeted programs and initiatives focused around green homes, communities, schools and existing buildings. With hundreds of passionate members and volunteers who lend their time and expertise, Illinois Green provides nearly 75 educational programs, community engagement events, tours and advocacy initiatives each year. 
