Sustainability
Des Plaines is committed to being a responsible steward of its environment — taking practical action in infrastructure, energy use, and City operations to foster a cleaner, more efficient, and healthier community. Through steady investments in sustainability, the City continues to make progress toward a resilient and responsible future for all residents.
Our Vision & Regional Commitment
Our focus is on solutions that make daily life better for residents — reducing flooding, improving air and water quality, managing energy use efficiently, and maintaining a clean, resilient community. Each initiative we undertake, from modernizing infrastructure and expanding mobility options to supporting clean energy and urban forestry, is designed with measurable goals and long-term results in mind. This means planning responsibly, investing wisely, and creating a City that works better for today’s residents and future generations.
Resident Resources
Residents and businesses in Des Plaines have access to a wide range of services, rebates, and educational tools that make it easier to live and operate sustainably.
Sustainability Investments and Partnerships in City Operations
Des Plaines is updating its 2011 Sustainability Plan to create a modern Plan — a roadmap to guide local climate action for the next decade. The update integrates environmental data, community input, and best practices from local, regional, state, and federal partners. The Plan update is expected to be complete in 2026.
Plan Objectives:
- Establish a new greenhouse-gas (GHG) baseline and reduction targets
- Integrate energy, water, mobility, waste, land use and transportation strategies into one citywide roadmap
- Identify achievable, fundable emissions reductions projects with measurable community benefits
Key Deliverables:
- An engaging summary of key goals, community benefits, and participation opportunities.
When finalized in 2026, the Sustainability Plan will provide a clear path for Des Plaines to reduce emissions, enhance quality of life, and strengthen resilience to climate impacts.
Des Plaines is proud to have made steady progress in sustainability through practical investments in City operations, infrastructure, and partnerships. Every initiative, whether improving energy efficiency, reducing flooding, or supporting cleaner transportation, reflects the City’s long-term commitment to operating responsibly and building a more resilient community for the future.
Greenest Region Compact
Greenest Region Compact
We are proud to be a signatory of the Greenest Region Compact (GRC), a collaboration of more than 150 municipalities led by the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus. The GRC provides 49 shared sustainability goals across areas like climate, energy, air, water conservation, mobility, waste reduction, and economic development. Our participation ensures that Des Plaines’ actions align with regional sustainability and climate benchmarks. By collaborating with neighboring municipalities and regional partners, we coordinate local policies, access shared data and best practices, and measure progress toward common goals such as reducing emissions, conserving water, and expanding clean energy use.
Learn more about the Greenest Region Compact
Water & Flood Resilience
Effective water management is a cornerstone of sustainability in Des Plaines. Protecting homes and infrastructure from flooding while conserving water resources supports the City’s long-term environmental, economic, and public health goals. Managing water efficiently and protecting the community from flooding remain key priorities for Des Plaines. Guided by the Stormwater Master Plan, the City’s Public Works and Engineering Department maintains a citywide network of sewers, detention basins, and pumping stations to reduce flood risk and improve water quality. Major flood-mitigation projects include:
- Construction of relief sewers and detention basins to increase capacity.
- Separation of combined sewers to reduce backups and improve water quality.
- FEMA-funded property buyouts and Craig Manor Subdivision drainage improvements to protect flood-prone areas.
- Sewer lining projects to extend the life of aging infrastructure and prevent infiltration.
Stormwater Management
Energy & Infrastructure Efficiency
Des Plaines continues to modernize its infrastructure to reduce energy use and improve operational efficiency.
- Water Meter Replacement Program (Completed 2023): Installed automated meters that improve billing accuracy and detect leaks — saving an estimated $2.8 million over 10 years.
- LED Streetlight Conversion (2025): $50,000 investment to replace legacy fixtures with LED technology, reducing energy use, outages, and maintenance costs.
- Facilities Replacement Fund & Long-Range Capital Planning: Ensures predictable reinvestment in public buildings and infrastructure, reducing deferred maintenance.
- Pay-as-You-Go Capital Program: Enables major infrastructure improvements without issuing new debt, reflecting both fiscal and environmental responsibility.
Electric Vehicle Readiness
The City is investing in projects that make transportation safer, cleaner, and more accessible.
- Fleet Modernization: Ongoing replacement of older vehicles with fuel-efficient models, including the City’s first 100% electric, zero-emissions vehicle purchased in 2024.
- EV Charging Stations: Three public charging stations are available — two at 606 Lee Street in the Civic Center Parking Deck and one at 646 Lee Street at Ellinwood and Lee Street.
Des Plaines participates in the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus Electric Vehicle (EV) Readiness Program, a regional initiative that helps municipalities plan for and expand EV infrastructure. Through this program, Des Plaines joins communities across the Chicago region in preparing for increased electric vehicle adoption and advancing clean transportation options that reduce emissions and improve air quality. In 2025, Des Plaines demonstrated local commitment to long-term sustainability by hosting the EV Readiness Program meeting
Community Partnerships & Environmental Stewardship
Collaboration is central to Des Plaines’ approach to sustainability. The City partners with regional and local agencies to strengthen environmental programs and provide resources for residents:
- Metropolitan Mayors Caucus & Greenest Region Compact (GRC): Des Plaines aligns local sustainability goals with the GRC’s 49 regional objectives, joining more than 150 participating communities.
- Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) & Cook County: Collaborate on rain barrel programs, flood mitigation projects, and public education initiatives.
- Tree Maintenance & Planting Program: Thousands of parkway trees are maintained and replaced annually in the spring and fall to preserve canopy health, improve air quality, and enhance stormwater absorption.
- Paper Shredding & Document Destruction Events: Annual community events promote recycling awareness and proper waste disposal.
A Continuing Commitment
Through these initiatives, Des Plaines demonstrates its commitment to sustainability not only as an environmental goal but as a foundation for responsible governance and community well-being. By investing wisely, partnering regionally, and planning for the future, the City continues to build a cleaner, stronger, and more resilient Des Plaines for generations to come.
Active Transportation
The Active Transportation Plan outlines how Des Plaines will make walking, biking, and transit safer and more convenient. A Plan update is expected to be completed in December 2025.
Plan Highlights
Learn more about Active Transit in Des Plaines.