Illinois Municipal Electric Agency

January 2008

Municipal Job Postings

New Agency Headquarters "On Line"

From The Corner

Headquarters Open House Scheduled for January 17

New Faces Join Board

IPEA and IMUA Inaugurate New Building with Board Meetings

Ribbon Cutting, Guided Tours Highlight New Office Open House Nearly 150 members, mayors and other state and local officials turned out for last month’s open house of the Illinois Municipal Electric Agency’s new office building, an energy-efficient facility which also serves as headquarters for the Illinois Municipal Utilities Association (IMUA) and the Illinois Public Energy Agency (IPEA). The new building employs “green-building” technology and features a variety of energy-saving options and systems, including a state-of-the-art geothermal heating and cooling system. Participants braved the inclement weather to attend the January 17 event, which also featured a ribbon-cutting dedication ceremony, light buffet lunch and guided tours of the new 33,000-square-foot facility (click on “Building Fact Sheet” link to see more detailed information regarding the new headquarters). Additionally, remarks were given by Illinois Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn, Springfield Mayor Tim Davlin and IMUA General Manager & CEO Ron Earl. “The lieutenant governor was very complimentary of our efforts in leading with green-building technology and construction and Mayor Tim Davlin was equally supportive of our energy-saving efforts and initiatives as well,” Earl said. “Despite the less than ideal weather, we were very pleased with the overall turnout for the dedication and open house activities.”

Metropolis Mayor Billy McDaniel (left) and Springfield Mayor Tim Davlin discuss municipal issues in the building’s upstairs foyer area prior to the start of the ribbon-cutting ceremony.	Illinois Lieutenant Governor Pat Quinn addresses the energy-efficiency aspects of the new headquarters building with attendees as part of his welcoming remarks during the January 17 event.	Ribbon Cutting for the new Illinois Municipal Electric Agency

IMEA Executive Board Member and Chatham Director of Utilities Del McCord (left), Springfield State Journal-Register Business Editor Tim Landis (center) and Springfield Mayor Tim Davlin (right) enjoy a lighter moment prior to the start of the open house and ribbon-cutting ceremonies.	IMUA General Manager & CEO Ron Earl delivers opening remarks as Springfield Mayor Tim Davlin (seated center) and IMEA Board President Greg Hazel of Rantoul (seated, far right) look on.	Illinois Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn discusses the state’s wind power and energy-conservation initiatives with Springfield Sports Radio’s News Director Jeff Hoffman (left foreground), IMEA Board President and Rantoul Director of Public Works Greg Hazel (second from right), and IMUA Board Member and Springfield CWLP Chief Utilities Engineer Jay Bartlett (right foreground) immediately following the dedication.

Dave Leonatti (left), architect and partner with the Springfield-based architectural engineering firm of Melotte Morse Leonatti, Ltd., and IMEA Executive Board Member Brian McInturff of Winnetka (right) share a laugh prior to the January 17 open house activities.	Attendees enjoy lunch in the second floor Training Room following the noon ribbon-cutting ceremony and dedication.	Former IMEA General Manager Gary Zimmerman (at lectern) welcomes attendees prior to the building’s ribbon-cutting ceremony and dedication. Seated in the foreground at left is Illinois Lt. Governor Pat Quinn.

Quotable

“We must learn again that energy conservation and more efficient use of energy is the quickest, easiest and cheapest mean of getting the most out of existing facilities . . . holding costs down for consumers and, in many instances, reducing the emission of greenhouse gases."

Alan Richardson, President and CEO, American Public Power Association, in his final column as CEO before his retirement, quoted from the November/December issue of Public Power magazine.