6/2024- Nicor has been making a measurable impact in Northern Illinois. Since 2021, they have supported the basic needs of more than 150K families, protected 2.8K acres of green space, and infused $3.9M into communities to unlock equitable economic opportunity. In 2023 alone, they donated over $5M to more than 340 charities in their service area. Fox Valley Habitat for Humanity is one of their featured organizations in this year’s Community Impact Report.
Daily Herald
Aurora's new 'smart neighborhood: Fox Valley Habitat for Humanity, Nicor Gas break ground
BY JENNY WHIDDEN
jwhidden@dailyherald.com
Posted 6/28/2023 5:00AM
Fox Valley Habitat for Humanity and Nicor Gas broke ground Tuesday on a 17-home "smart neighborhood" subdivision aiming to provide affordability through energy efficiency.
Heated with natural gas, the homes, in a neighborhood on Aurora's far west side, will include LED lighting, double pane windows, insulated concrete form walls, tankless water heaters and gas heat pumps. The buildings will also have solar panels and battery storage systems to store the renewable energy.
Though the homes are designed to offset emissions through the combination of energy efficient construction and solar energy, the buildings will not be emission-free due to their use of natural gas, which is considered a fossil fuel.
"We all know that affordable housing is sorely needed in our community and our nation. A large part of tackling this issue is finding sustainable solutions to many of the costs that keep families from owning and staying in homes, and so I really commend Nicor Gas and Habitat for Humanity for looking to do just that," said U.S. Rep. Bill Foster, a Naperville Democrat who represents Illinois' 11th district.
Foster, a Ph.D. physicist who serves on the Committee on Science, Space and Technology, added that he was particularly impressed with the subdivision's energy recovery ventilation design.
A decades-long struggle in construction has been that if a house is extremely well-insulated, the air inside gets stale and an issue with air quality arises. But if the air is exchanged using traditional methods, the building loses the benefit of all that insulation. The solution is an energy recovery system, which allows inside air to heat the cooler incoming air in the winter and to cool the warmer incoming air in the summer.
"This allows you to keep the house warm with a lot less energy, and it's one of the ways that you can make the indoor air environment better without damaging the world's environment by increasing the carbon footprint," Foster said. "These homes are also better served as a symbol of our commitment to building a more sustainable and affordable clean energy future, and I really couldn't be more proud of the fact that this is happening right here in Aurora."
The subdivision will be at 1921 Jericho Road on the northwest corner of Jericho Road and South Edgelawn Drive. Expected to be complete in three years, the neighborhood will comprise 1,500- to 1,700-square-foot homes of six different designs.
The development, which will cost approximately $5.5 million, was approved by the Aurora City Council in January. The acquisition of the 8.5-acre site in September 2021 was funded by grants from Nicor Gas and Fox Valley Habitat for Humanity.
An additional $1.25 million federal Housing and Urban Development grant will fund the infrastructure for the neighborhood, such as water and sewer lines, utilities, streets, sidewalks and stormwater mitigation.
Since Fox Valley Habitat for Humanity was founded in 1988, it has built or upgraded 70 homes in Aurora, North Aurora, Batavia and Montgomery. To apply for a Habitat home, potential homeowners must have a need for affordable housing due to unsafe living conditions, overcrowding, accessibility issues or rent higher than 30% of their income.
"We're going to see in this smart neighborhood everything coming together with all the latest technology. Normally when that happens, who gets that? Who gets the benefit of all of that? It's the wealthiest in the community, the ones who can afford it," said State Sen. Linda Holmes. "In this neighborhood, it's those that just want the ability to have a home and raise their family that are going to have that opportunity in their first home to raise their family and become additional members of this community."
Nicor Gas is working with another Habitat affiliate, Northern Fox Valley Habitat, to create a similar, 13-home subdivision in Carpentersville. The project, still in its early stages, is slated for development in 2024.
• Jenny Whidden is a climate change and environment writer working with the Daily Herald through a partnership with Report For America supported by The Nature Conservancy. To help support her work with a tax-deductible donation, see dailyherald.com/rfa.
Daily Herald Suburban Business Briefs
Planned for Aurora: A subdivision of 17 net-zero-energy homes both environmental and affordable
BY JENNY WHIDDEN
jwhidden@dailyherald.com
Posted 4/6/2023 5:00AM
Fox Valley Habitat for Humanity will break ground on a 17-home, net-zero-energy subdivision on Aurora's far west side this June, the organization announced Tuesday in partnership with Nicor Gas.
The 1,500- to 1,700-square-foot homes will have six different designs and all will generate as much energy as they use. Heated with natural gas, the homes will include insulated concrete form walls, tankless water heaters, gas heat pumps and other energy-efficient features.
Since Fox Valley Habitat for Humanity was founded in 1988, it has built or upgraded 70 homes in Aurora, North Aurora, Batavia and Montgomery. With its primary focus being to provide affordable homes to working families, the idea behind Aurora's new subdivision was to also provide affordable living, Executive Director Jeffrey Barrett said.
"The question was how do we make the homes more affordable living-wise from an energy standpoint? That was our concept, and Nicor was all in on this project to try and make that happen," Barrett said. "These homes will all have solar, they'll generate battery backup, and they'll have smart electrical panels."
The subdivision will be at 1921 Jericho Road on the northwest corner of Jericho Road and South Edgelawn Drive. Construction is expected to be complete in three years.
The development, which will cost approximately $5.5 million, was approved by the Aurora City Council in January. The acquisition of the 8.5-acre site in September 2021 was funded by grants from Nicor Gas and Fox Valley Habitat for Humanity.
An additional $1.25 million federal Housing and Urban Development grant will fund the infrastructure for the neighborhood, such as water and sewer lines, utilities, streets, sidewalks and stormwater mitigation.
The design of the homes, from insulation to appliances, is geared to keep energy costs down, Barrett said.
"We're trying to make them all energy-efficient from a standpoint of what kinds of appliances we're using, and also from water conservation. Everything in the home -- toilets, water faucets, shower heads -- all will be low-flow yet high-efficiency faucets," he said.
The project will also serve as a chance to study the use of natural gas in energy-efficient homes by comparing homes with electric heat pumps, gas heat pumps and efficient natural gas furnaces.
"The study will then see what those differences are," Barrett said. "What is the most efficient, not only in terms of energy usage, but also in terms of actual coverage in the home and comfortability for the people that are living in the home."
Nicor Gas is working with another Habitat affiliate, Northern Fox Valley Habitat, to create a similar, 13-home subdivision in Carpentersville. The project, still in its early stages, is slated for development in 2024.
• Jenny Whidden is a climate change and environment writer working with the Daily Herald through a partnership with Report For America supported by The Nature Conservancy. To help support her work with a tax-deductible donation, see dailyherald.com/rfa
Link to article: https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20230406/planned-for-aurora-a-subdivision-of-17-net-zero-energy-homes-both-environmental-and-affordable
press Release
Foster Announces Nearly $26 Million in Community Project Funding for 11th District Secured in Year-End Omnibus Funding Legislation
December 23, 2022 Press Release
Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) announced that all 15 Community Project Funding (CPF) requests he made on behalf of the 11th Congressional District of Illinois were included in the year-end omnibus spending bill for a total of $25,821,367. The package has passed both the Senate and the House.
Under guidelines issued by the Appropriations Committee, each Representative could request funding for up to 15 projects in their community for Fiscal Year 2023. Projects are restricted to a limited number of federal funding streams, and only state and local governments and eligible non-profit entities are permitted to receive funding. Additional information and guidelines on Community Project Funding is available here.
In compliance with House Rules and Committee requirements, Congressman Foster has certified that he and his immediate family have no financial interest in any of the projects selected. Links to these certification forms are available here.
“I’m proud that we were able to deliver this important funding to the 11th District,” Foster said. “One of my constant priorities as Representative of the 11th District of Illinois is making sure our communities receive their fair share of federal resources, especially for important projects that serve so many people. We received many worthwhile submissions, and it was difficult to narrow it down to 15, but I am proud of the projects we selected and can’t wait to see them come to fruition.”
The Omnibus appropriations bill will now be sent to President Biden to be signed into law.
The 15 projects that will receive funding for the 11th Congressional District are:
(Listed in no particular order)
Marie Wilkinson Food Pantry
834 N. Highland Ave.
Aurora, IL 60506
Amount funded: $1,800,000
Project description
This enhanced response to food insecurity will be undertaken through formalized collaborations with service partners and novel education program development. The project includes purchase of property and use of that property for coordinated access to critical wrap-around services from community partners on food distribution days. Moreover, the expansion includes desperately needed renovations to the purchased site and the current food distribution center to improve safety, flow, access, and client dignity.
—
DuPage Township Government
241 Canterbury Ln.
Bolingbrook, IL 60440
Amount funded: $3,000,000
Project description
The DuPage Township Food Pantry & Resource Center in Bolingbrook, Will County, will be a new, centrally-located building construction to house a food pantry and resource center for low-income residents of DuPage Township to address food insecurity and Social Determinants of Health.
—
Fox Valley Park District
101 W. Illinois Ave.
Aurora, IL 60606
Amount funded: $4,000,000
Project description
This Project consists of final engineering and construction of a 780′ long bicycle and pedestrian bridge spanning the Fox River. The project eliminates a major barrier to trail access.
—
University of St. Francis
500 Wilcox St.
Joliet, IL 60435
Amount funded: $500,000
Project description
This project will provide accelerator funds and mentorship to businesses and entrepreneurs in under-served categories, offer community-based programming, and additional programs to close the gap for businesses founded by Minorities, Women and Veterans.
—
United Way of Will County Mental Health Program K-12
54 N. Ottawa St. STE 300
Joliet, IL 60432
Amount funded: $884,000
Project description
Funding will be used for launching the Resilient Youth program consisting of 22 training sessions for 529 teachers which will impact 26,186 students throughout Will County. This will be an ongoing program which will impact students in all grades K-12.
—
Fox Valley Habitat for Humanity
1300 S. Broadway Rd. STE 101
Montgomery, IL 60538
Amount funded: $1,250,000
Project description
The Fox Valley Habitat Green Freedom 17 home neighborhood is a breakthrough project for Habitat for Humanity’s mission to provide affordable homes for hard-working families of low to moderately low income. The funds requested will be used to provide the infrastructure for the neighborhood, including water and sewer lines, streets, sidewalks and stormwater mitigation.
—
VNA Health Care
400 N. Highland Ave.
Aurora, IL 60506
Amount funded: $500,000
Project description
Funding will be used to support the construction of a new healthcare center in Joliet built on land already owned by VNA. It will support 24 examination rooms, a wellness kitchen, waiting areas, a lab, nursing stations, and a mental and behavioral health service department.
—
City of Naperville
400 S. Eagle St.
Naperville, IL 60540
Amount funded: $900,000
Project description
This funding will support Naperville Riverwalk Eagle Street Gateway and Accessibility Improvements.
—
Pace, the Suburban Bus Division of the Regional Transportation Authority
550 W. Algonquin Rd.
Arlington Heights, IL 60005
Amount funded: $1,200,000
Project description
Pace proposes to build (on the existing site) a building with public restrooms, vending machines, and signage with real-time bus departure information. The new facility would be fully accessible to people with disabilities and would offer a considerably more welcoming environment for transit riders who are currently exposed to heat and cold as they wait for a bus. Pace has successfully deployed indoor waiting areas at other park-n-rides along I-55 and seeks to bring a similar upgrade to Bolingbrook.
—
Aurora University
347 S. Gladstone Ave.
Aurora, IL 60506
Amount funded: $955,000
Project description
Funding request for the Emerging Technologies Learning Lab is a one-time request to purchase technology and equipment to create three high-impact learning spaces within the Lab: Virtual Reality Classroom, Visualization Room, and Workplace Simulation. This innovative and dynamic center for student success will include experiential and immersive learning opportunities powered by emerging technologies such as virtual reality, mixed reality, and augmented reality.
—
Association for Individual Development (AID)
309 W. New Indian Trail Ct.
Aurora, IL 60506
Amount funded: $3,000,000
Project description
AID, Hesed House, and The Neighbor Project have formed a partnership to purchase and renovate an existing apartment building in Aurora, IL into a mixed-use Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) + Pathway to Homeownership residence.
—
City of Aurora Public Safety Technology Project
44 E. Downer Pl.
Aurora, IL 60505
Amount funded: $2,280,000
Project description
The Aurora Police Department is in the process of upgrading the technology infrastructure to improve public safety. The project is taking a holistic approach that includes the 911 Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP), the camera/recording system in the interview rooms, and the phone system in the city’s 911 Dispatch center. The PSAP will improve the effective delivery of emergency communications to first responders. The backup 911 Dispatch center at Fire Station 8 and the main Aurora Police Department 911 Dispatch center will be modernized with new and advanced workstation consoles, enhanced innovative noise control solutions, and next-generation technologies/capabilities.
—
City of Aurora “Montgomery Rd/Hill Ave Intersection”
44 E. Downer Pl.
Aurora, IL 60505
Amount funded: $1,000,000
Project description
The project consists of improving the intersection of Montgomery Road and Hill Avenue by modernizing traffic signals, reconstructing and widening the roadways to include additional travel (through) lanes & turn lanes, constructing bike paths and sidewalks, making ADA ramp improvements, making a right-of-way acquisition to do the improvements, working on drainage, and other pertinent improvements. The project will improve traffic capacity, safety, and traffic operations while minimizing environmental impacts.
—
City of Joliet – Creation and Support of Regional Water Authority
150 W. Washington St.
Joliet, IL 60432
Amount funded: $3,452,972
Project description
This funding will be used to support the creation of a regional water authority and construction of the infrastructure to bring Lake Michigan water to Joliet and surrounding towns, pursuant to their local agreement, in order to reduce the overall burden of the cost of water on property owners in the region.
—
Will County Project – Rt 53 Bike Path
17540 W. Laraway Rd.
Joliet, IL 60433
Amount funded: $1,100,000
Project description
Will County and the Forest Preserve District of Will County are working in tandem to establish safe pedestrian accommodations from the Route 53 corridor to the regional trail systems of Will County and beyond. This project is currently in the feasibility phase. The Forest Preserve has evaluated potential routes and determined that the proposed alignment utilizing the Commonwealth Edison Utility corridor is the ideal route. The approximately 1.34 mile, 10’ wide asphalt trail would connect multiple residential developments along Route 53 to a school, regional trail systems, Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie, and local businesses.
press release
Habitat for Humanity subdivision in Aurora seeks breakthrough in affordability.
By Steve Lord
Aurora Beacon-News
Jan 27, 2023 at 5:51 pm
The key theme for the new Habitat Green subdivision planned for Aurora’s far West Side can be summed up in one word - affordability.
The goal of its planners is make the 17-house Habitat for Humanity subdivision “an affordable and resilient community,” while achieving energy efficiency, said Meena Beyers, vice president of Community and Business Development for Nicor, which serves 2.3 million customers in northern Illinois with natural gas.
Nicor is part of the planning for the development, which will be done by Habitat for Humanity. The company not only granted Habitat some of the money for the estimated $5.5 million project, it will provide natural gas heat for houses that will include many green elements, with the idea that the homes will be net zero as far as energy use. Net zero means that the subdivision will use only as much energy, overall, as it generates. It is a carbon neutral situation that can be achieved by combining natural gas and electric resources, officials said.
The subdivision has several firsts, officials said. It will have have modern, green elements, but in a subdivision with low- income residents; it will be a net zero community partially designed by a gas company; and it will be in a northern climate.
“A gas company running a net zero community is extraordinarily unique,” said Juliet Shavit, a spokesperson for Nicor from SmartMark Communications, LLC. “We have a role to play in a net zero community. We play in the sandbox with electric, so a user can afford to live comfortably. It really is a novel idea.”
So novel, it is the first of its kind for Nicor, and the first in a northern climate for Southern Company, Nicor’s parent, which has smart neighborhoods with Alabama Power and Georgia Power.
“What’s groundbreaking about it is how (gas and electric) are going to work together,” said Beyers. “It’s how we can make it seamless.”
The 1,500- to 1,700-square-foot houses will be equipped with a number of green features, including solar panels, a battery storage system, insulated concrete foam walls, spray foam, energy efficient windows, heat recovery ventilation and LED lighting.
The system to collect solar power for electric and bring in natural gas for heat will be tied together in what officials are hoping is an easy and affordable option for homeowners.
“These will be first-time homeowners; we know they’re going to have a lot to think about,” said Beyers. “Making it easy is really important. Our goal is to not have to manually think about it.”
Beyers describes the neighborhood as “a living laboratory.”
“We want to share this model,” she said. “We imagine that these can be replicated by large scale builders.”
For Habitat for Humanity, it also is a new tactic. Jeffrey Barrett, executive director of the Montgomery-based Fox Valley Habitat for Humanity, said the focus for the organization has been on individual homes.
“We are now on an exciting new course,” he said. “We are transitioning from building a few homes a year to building an entire community.”
Founded in 1988, Fox Valley Habitat for Humanity has built or upgraded 70 homes in Aurora, North Aurora, Batavia and Montgomery.
Habitat received a $1.25 million federal Housing and Urban Development grant for the neighborhood, with the help of the office of U.S. Rep. Bill Foster, D-Naperville.
The federal grant will be used to provide the infrastructure for the neighborhood, including water and sewer lines, utilities, streets, sidewalks and stormwater mitigation.
Barrett said so far, $3 million has been pledged to the $5.5 million community, and Habitat has kicked off a fundraising campaign to secure the rest.
Press Release
Nicor Gas and Southern Company Partner with Two Local Habitat for Humanity Affiliates to Build Energy Efficient, Net Zero Communities in Chicagoland
Smart Neighborhood™ concepts being planned for Aurora and Northern Fox Valley
Naperville, Ill. — Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2022 — Today, Nicor Gas and Southern Company are announcing a new partnership with the Fox Valley and Northern Fox Valley Habitat for Humanity affiliates to develop Smart Neighborhood™ communities dedicated to providing affordable, net zero greenhouse gas emissions housing options in the Chicagoland area.
Two planned communities, one in Aurora and a second being developed in Northern Fox Valley, will total 30 single-family net zero emissions homes equipped with a combination of renewable, electric, and natural gas technologies. Eligible residents will enjoy freedom from expensive mortgages and benefit from using features such as energy efficient appliances that help reduce high energy bills; all while reducing their carbon footprint.
The Smart Neighborhood will be built along Jericho Road and Garden Avenue near the Burlington Northern Railroad tracks in Aurora. Also known as CARE communities (Carbon-neutral, Affordable, Resilient and Efficient), each Smart Neighborhood will come with high efficiency building envelopes, solar panels and battery solutions that will allow for further reliability in the event of storms or inclement weather. Groundbreaking for the Aurora development is expected to take place next spring. Work on the Northern Fox Valley development is slated for 2024.
“We’re only now at the beginning of imagining the potential within renewable technology and the resiliency of a net zero future,” said Wendell Dallas, president and CEO of Nicor Gas. “As we enter this fourth industrial revolution, we must be more than innovative but inclusive to ensure everyone is able to enjoy the cost savings and the satisfaction of knowing they are doing their part to ensure a clean energy future for their communities.”
Smart Neighborhood is a trademarked brand of Southern Company, the ultimate parent company of Nicor Gas. Smart Neighborhoods advance energy technologies that work together as a part of an affordable, reliable clean energy economy. They lead to job creation, diverse business partnerships, economic development, and green transportation. The Aurora community will be the first Smart Neighborhood to be built in Illinois and will launch a three-year research study to examine how natural gas can be part of the solution toward meeting net zero energy goals.
“At Habitat for Humanity, we are excited to work alongside Nicor Gas to create a pathway to strength, stability and independence through homeownership,” said Jeffrey Barrett, executive director and CEO of Fox Valley Habitat for Humanity. “This collaboration represents a unique opportunity to advance the adoption of net zero energy solutions, while making them available to individuals who ordinarily could not afford these environmental upgrades.”
As the largest natural gas provider in Illinois, Nicor Gas leads cutting-edge research and development focused on a resilient clean energy future every day. Nicor Gas is part of Southern Company Gas, a family of four natural gas distribution companies whose commitment to sustainability includes working towards net zero emissions from operations, while delivering quality customer solutions, enriching communities and investing in innovation.
Habitat for Humanity is a global nonprofit that brings people together to build homes, communities and hope, envisioning a world where everyone has a decent place to live. The housing organization works in communities across all 50 states.
For this project, Fox Valley and Northern Fox Valley Habitat for Humanity affiliates will serve as developer of the Smart Neighborhood Initiative. In addition, Habitat for Humanity will partner with local government officials on a broader Neighborhood Revitalization Initiative to conduct home repairs and build quality, affordable homes for those in need. Nicor Gas will support that initiative through its energy efficiency program.
To learn more about the Smart Neighborhood Initiative, please visit www.NGSmartNeighborhoods.com .
About Nicor Gas
Nicor Gas is one of four natural gas distribution companies of Southern Company Gas, a wholly owned subsidiary of Southern Company (NYSE: SO). Nicor Gas serves more than 2.2 million customers in a service territory that encompasses most of the northern third of Illinois, excluding the city of Chicago. For more information, visit nicorgas.com .
About Southern Company Gas
Southern Company Gas is a wholly owned subsidiary of Atlanta-based Southern Company (NYSE:SO), America's premier energy company. Southern Company Gas serves approximately 4.3 million natural gas utility customers through its regulated distribution companies in four states with approximately 666,000 retail customers through its companies that market natural gas. Other non-utility businesses include investments in interstate pipelines and ownership and operation of natural gas storage facilities. For more information, visit southerncompanygas.com
About Southern Company
Southern Company (NYSE: SO) is a leading energy company serving 9 million customers through its subsidiaries. The company provides clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy through electric operating companies in three states, natural gas distribution companies in four states, a competitive generation company serving wholesale customers across America, a leading distributed energy infrastructure company, a fiber optics network and telecommunications services. Southern Company brands are known for excellent customer service, high reliability and affordable prices below the national average. For more than a century, we have been building the future of energy and developing the full portfolio of energy resources, including carbon-free nuclear, advanced carbon capture technologies, natural gas, renewables, energy efficiency and storage technology. Through an industry-leading commitment to innovation and a low-carbon future, Southern Company and its subsidiaries develop the customized energy solutions our customers and communities require to drive growth and prosperity. Our uncompromising values ensure we put the needs of those we serve at the center of everything we do and govern our business to the benefit of our world. Our corporate culture and hiring practices have been recognized nationally. Southern Company was named the No. 2 Best Large Employer in America in Forbes magazine's 2022 rankings. Additional accolades have been received from the U.S. Department of Defense, G.I. Jobs magazine, DiversityInc, Black Enterprise, Fortune's "World's Most Admired Companies" list, and the Women's Choice Award, to name a few. To learn more, visit www.southerncompany.com .
About Habitat for Humanity
Driven by the vision that everyone needs a decent place to live, Habitat for Humanity found its earliest inspirations as a grassroots movement on an interracial community farm in southern Georgia. Since its founding in 1976, the Christian housing organization has grown to become a leading global nonprofit working in local communities across all 50 states in the U.S. and in more than 70 countries. Families and individuals in need of a hand up partner with Habitat for Humanity to build or improve a place they can call home. Habitat homeowners help build their own homes alongside volunteers and pay an affordable mortgage. Through financial support, volunteering or adding a voice to support affordable housing, everyone can help families achieve the strength, stability and self-reliance they need to build better lives for themselves. Through shelter, we empower. To learn more, visit www.habitat.org .