Last month, Illinois received its third LEED for Homes certified project (a net-zero energy Platinum home in Chicago designed by Farr Associates). However, while there are many other LEED for Homes projects in the works, I know we can do better. After all, Chicago leads the nation in commercial LEED buildings.  With the USGBC’s annual GreenBuild conference returning to Chicago in November 2010, now is the time to demonstrate our region’s leadership and begin transforming the residential green building market. As the nation is poised to pull out of the recession and a new wave of building begins, the Green Home Institute () has expanded their commitment to help grow the “LEED for Homes” program in the Northern IL and Southern WI markets. As such, I’m pleased to offer my services as the local, Chicago-based representative for the Alliance. provides support services to builders of LEED for Homes projects. These include green single-family custom homes, and multi-family and affordable housing projects. Please feel free to contact me with questions regarding LEED for Homes, or general questions about residential green building.