Cool Pavement: Arlington Heights vs Chicago
How do cool pavement rules compare between Arlington Heights, IL and Chicago, IL?
Arlington Heights and Chicago have similar restriction levels.
Arlington Heights, IL
Cook County
Cook County does not operate a cool pavement program. Pavement albedo policy is left to individual municipalities and the Illinois Department of Transportation. The county climate plan references heat-island reduction without mandating reflective surface treatments.
View full Arlington Heights rules →Chicago, IL
Cook County
Chicago has tested reflective and permeable cool-pavement coatings through CDOT pilots in heat-vulnerable wards but has no citywide mandate. Pilot blocks measure surface-temperature reductions of up to 12 degrees.
View full Chicago rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Arlington Heights | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| County program | None | - |
| Climate plan | Mentions heat island only | - |
| Roadway spec | Standard hot-mix asphalt | - |
| Suburban pilots | Limited to a few cities | - |
| Lead agency | - | CDOT and Water Management |
| Pilot neighborhoods | - | Austin, Lawndale, Englewood |
| Temperature reduction | - | 8 to 12 degrees observed |
| 2030 target | - | 100 treated blocks |
| Mandate status | - | Voluntary, pilot-only |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Arlington Heights FAQ
Can I get a Cook County rebate for cool pavement?
No. Cook County does not offer cool-pavement rebates. Some suburban green-infrastructure grants may cover permeable or reflective surfaces, but countywide funding does not exist.
Does Chicago have cool pavement?
Chicago Department of Transportation has run pilot reflective coatings on select alleys and bike lanes since 2020, but the program is not countywide and does not extend to suburban Cook.
Chicago FAQ
Will my Chicago street get cool-pavement treatment?
Only if CDOT selects your block for an active pilot, prioritized by the Heat Vulnerability Index in Austin, North Lawndale, Englewood, and similar high-heat neighborhoods. Aldermanic menu funds also sponsor some installations.
Can I apply cool coating to my own driveway?
Yes. Chicago does not regulate private cool-coating applications. Choose products meeting ASTM E1980 solar-reflectance standards. Permeable surfaces may also reduce stormwater fees under MWRD's stormwater management ordinance.
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