DOE Divisions

Commissioner’s Office
The Commissioner’s Office ensures that DOE fulfills its mission of protecting human health and the environment, improving the urban quality of life, and promoting economic development in Chicago. The Office sets strategic direction for DOE and oversees all of the department’s initiatives, policies, and operations. In addition, the Commissioner’s Office works with other City departments and agencies to implement policies and programs that will help the City achieve its environmental goals.

Energy Management & Air Quality
The Energy Management and Air Quality Division implements clean air programs and initiatives to improve air quality in the City. The Division also administers programs to assist nonprofit, residential, commercial, industrial, and governmental consumers in becoming more energy efficient. Programs range from green buildings guidance, energy management, co-generation, energy audits, and retrofits in City and industrial buildings to alternative sources of energy, such as solar PV and solar thermal. In addition, the Division is responsible for identifying and analyzing energy issues facing the City and its residents, and oversees the City's franchise with ComEd to assure reliable delivery of energy.

Permitting & Enforcement
The Permitting and Enforcement Division exists to further compliance with the environmental provisions of the Chicago Municipal Code. The Division encourages proactive compliance through its extensive permitting authority. All permits issued by the Division contain restrictive operating conditions that require best environmental practices. In cases where proactive permitting is inadequate to ensure compliance, the Division also has an extensive enforcement arm. Twenty-three inspectors, investigators, and engineers are responsible for responding to complaints, inspecting sites, and, where appropriate, initiating enforcement. In 2003, the Division’s field personnel inspected approximately 12,000 sites and issued approximately 1,000 citations. The Division also files dozens of lawsuits and administrative cases annually.

Natural Resources & Water Quality
The Natural Resources & Water Quality Division sets policy, plans, and supervises activities designed to protect, restore, and enhance natural resources. The Division’s initiatives include greening neighborhoods through community education and provision of materials; managing grounds and public programming at the Chicago Center for Green Technology; coordinating research, outreach, and rehabilitation efforts for the Calumet area’s ecological parcels; and establishing policies and programs that conserve and enhance water quality in Chicago’s rivers, lakes and groundwater systems.

Urban Management & Brownfields Redevelopment
The Urban Management & Brownfields Redevelopment Divisions evaluates, remediates and provides for the redevelopment of properties for City projects. The Division provides professional project management, technical advice, and support to City departments and agencies to rehabilitate sites where development is complicated by real or perceived environmental contamination, reducing pressure on undeveloped land. The Division also regulates certain waste management facilities within the City through permitting and inspection activities; develops and implements programs to support the City’s recycling initiative; and manages the Chicago Shoreline Protection Project.

Government Relations & Policy
The Government Relations & Policy Divisions analyzes existing environmental legislation and policy and provides strategic direction for new policy initiatives. The Division liaises with the Mayor’s Office of Intergovernmental Affairs, other City departments, and sister agencies to advise on environmental issues and their impacts on Chicago. The Division does this by monitoring state and federal environmental legislation and regulations, and providing analysis and comment as necessary; advancing inter/intra-governmental agreements in an efficient and effective manner; and creating environmental policy positions for DOE. Most importantly, the Division provides a centralized point of contact for all of DOE’s divisions to ensure the coherent development and advancement of policy and legislation.

Administrative, Fiscal & Communications Division
The Administrative, Fiscal & Communications Division manages all administrative and financial processes for DOE, including personnel, payroll, accounts payable and receivable, contract administration, office management, and grants administration. The Division also manages the information technology program and community programming and education outreach.

Community Programming & Education Outreach
The Community Programming & Education Outreach Division increases public awareness of DOE’s ongoing environmental, educational, and outreach initiatives by informing Chicagoans about the programs DOE offers and the importance of everyone's contribution to protecting and enhancing our environment. The Division is responsible for developing curricula-based education projects for DOE programs; actively ensuring accessibility of DOE programs to the diversity of Chicago’s residents through the implementation of presentations, information kits, and the Freedom of Information Act; offering public programs that meet the needs of current audiences, and attract new and expanded audiences; and consistently informing Chicagoans of DOE program and activities through the expanded use of printed resources and materials.