Sustainable Procurement: Chicago vs Evanston
How do sustainable procurement rules compare between Chicago, IL and Evanston, IL?
Chicago and Evanston have similar restriction levels.
Chicago, IL
Cook County
Chicago Municipal Code Ch. 2-92 directs the Chief Procurement Officer to weigh environmental impact, recycled content, and energy efficiency in city purchasing. The Sustainable Purchasing Policy sets specific category targets.
View full Chicago rules →Evanston, IL
Cook County
Cook County Sustainable Procurement Ordinance 14-O-2543 directs the Chief Procurement Officer to weigh environmental impact, recycled content, energy efficiency, and minority-owned business participation when awarding county contracts above set thresholds.
View full Evanston rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Chicago | Evanston |
|---|---|---|
| Code chapter | MCC Ch. 2-92 | Ch. 34 Art. IV |
| Lead office | Chief Procurement Officer | - |
| Embodied-carbon trigger | $100K construction contracts | - |
| Fleet default | Electric or hybrid light-duty | - |
| Audit frequency | Annual by Dept. Environment | - |
| Ordinance | - | 14-O-2543 |
| Construction threshold | - | $250,000 contract value |
| Standards | - | EnergyStar EPEAT recycled content |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Chicago FAQ
Does Chicago favor green vendors in bidding?
Yes. The Sustainable Purchasing Policy under MCC 2-92 lets the Chief Procurement Officer score environmental criteria alongside price, with category-specific requirements for recycled paper, EPEAT electronics, and ENERGY STAR appliances.
Are city construction projects subject to embodied-carbon rules?
Contracts over $100,000 must report embodied-carbon estimates for concrete and steel under the 2023 policy update. Reporting is mandatory; project-level emissions caps remain in development.
Evanston FAQ
How do I bid on a Cook County contract?
Register with the Cook County vendor portal and review sustainability scoring criteria in each RFP. Most green credentials add weighted points to your bid score.
Does this apply to suburban purchasing?
No. The ordinance binds only Cook County government procurement. Suburbs may adopt similar rules independently under their home-rule purchasing codes.
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