KEEPING ILLINOIS CLEAN AND BEAUTIFUL By LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR BOB KUSTRA

We are faced with a variety of critical problems on the national and state levels, but there is one question that remains prevalent in every citizen's mind: how are we going to protect and save our environment for future generations?

Recycling and litter reduction have become everyday words in our homes and schools, but what do they really mean? And more importantly, what as citizens can we do or continue to do to help the cause?

If your community is interested in becoming more involved in environmental education, you should consider becoming an affiliate of Keep America Beautiful.

The Keep America Beautiful (KAB) system is a nonprofit, public education organization that takes an educational, hands-on approach to improving waste handling practices, preventing litter and promoting recycling.

KAB develops programs and materials for the recognized communities and helps those communities exchange information about successes and new approaches.

KAB's educational approach to improving waste handling practices has earned the respect and financial support of more than 300 corporations. Employees of member companies and other businesses serve on local KAB system boards, taking an active role in the towns and cities where they work. Through this service and the in-kind donations of equipment, supplies and creative talent, KAB communities launch ongoing programs and energize thousands of volunteers.

When a community becomes a KAB affiliate, it joins a national network able to share ideas, problems and solutions. KAB's national office provides seminars, regional forums and training workshops, videos, brochures and newsletters. KAB also offers formal curriculum for elementary and high school classes,

Twenty-eight communities throughout Illinois already enjoy the benefits of the KAB system.

One of the benefits of a KAB affiliation in Illinois is being a part of the Illinois Clean and Beautiful Program. Any city or county that is certified or pre-certified by KAB may apply for grant funds from the Illinois Clean and Beautiful Program.

In 1991, my office began coordinating the program, and the General Assembly has appropriated $142,500 for Clean and Beautiful grants to qualified organizations in Keep America Beautiful communities.

In Chicago, Chicago Clean Streak, KAB's largest affiliate in the nation, is providing teacher training workshops to teachers throughout the city. This project is partially funded by Illinois Clean and Beautiful grant funds. By training teachers about the need for environmental education in the classroom, recycling and litter-reduction will become second nature to our children and eventually they will extend these messages to their parents.

In Southern Illinois, Carbondale Clean and Green has been instrumental in coordinating a recycling effort in the city. It has produced brochures and educational materials for their citizens as well as a public service announcement that was produced using Illinois Clean and Beautiful grant funds.

Although Mt. Vernon Bright and Beautiful is one of KAB's smaller affiliates in Illinois, it provides essential services to the Southern Illinois city. Using Clean and Beautiful grant funds, Mt. Vernon Bright and Beautiful educates students about the environment and the importance of recycling.

The national Keep America Beautiful organization provides guidance to its Illinois affiliates as well as hundreds of others throughout the country. As a community-based organization, the affiliates can provide the necessary tools for reducing litter, assisting recycling programs and educating children and adults about protecting the environment at the local level.

If your community is interested in becoming a Keep America Beautiful community, please contact my office at the State Capitol, Room 214, Springfield, Ill. 62706. •

February 1992 / Illinois Municipal Review / Page 19