Chicago, IL - 10 March 2011 - The cities of Chicago and Jerusalem cemented their commitments to environmental sustainability and green urban planning yesterday with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding that committed the two cities to work together in advancing these issues in their respective urban environments.

City of Chicago Department of Environment Commissioner Suzanne Malec-McKenna (l) and Jerusalem Deputy Mayor Naomi Tsur sign the Memorandum of Understanding (Credit/Robin Subar)

The keynote speakers for the event, and the signatories to the Memorandum, were Commissioner Suzanne Malec-McKenna of the City of Chicago Department of Environment, and Deputy Mayor Naomi Tsur of the City of Jerusalem. Commissioner Malec-McKenna spoke of the many environmental and urban challenges that Chicago and Jerusalem face - including responsible water usage, effective rail transportation and utilizing natural resources such as wind and sun as alternative energy sources. She expressed optimism that the two cities will be able to effectively support each other in facing these challenges in the future. Deputy Mayor Tsur expressed similar optimism and spoke about the potential for bringing together universities and institutions from the two cities to collaborate on research and development in these areas.

The two officials then signed the Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Chicago and the City of Jerusalem for a close cooperation in the areas of Green Planning and Building. The signing took place at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, in Chicago's Lincoln Park, and was attended by members of the press, Chicago city government officials and individuals involved with green initiatives in Chicago and Jerusalem.

Guests were welcomed by Israel's Consul General to the Midwest, Hon. Orli Gil, and heard about Israel's innovations in the areas of green tech and eco-tourism from Mr. Yariv Becher, Israel Consul for Economic Affairs to the Midwest Region, and Mr. Uri Steinberg, Israel Tourism Consul to the Midwest. The event was sponsored by the Consulate General of Israel to the Midwest, the Government of Israel Economic Mission to the Midwest, and the Israel Government Tourist Office Midwest Region, with special help from The Jerusalem Foundation, which facilitated the Memorandum.