(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Leaders in one north suburban county are taking steps to make buildings safer for birds.
Migratory birds are at increased risk of injury or death, when they are attracted by buildings with overly reflective exteriors and crash into them.
Jessica Vealitzek, who represents District 10 on the Lake County Board, says Lake County is now required to follow certain rules when it builds new government buildings or renovates existing ones.
“It will require newly constructed Lake County government owned facilities to use at least 80% bird friendly glass on their exteriors everywhere from the ground level up to 100 feet. That includes renovations. It includes new additions,” she said.
Vealitzek says next month she expects the board to approve similar rules for new and renovated commercial buildings in unincorporated Lake County.
“That is the policy we've passed for our own government buildings and that's the one I hope that we will pass next month for all commercial buildings countywide.”
Vealitzek says millions of birds pass through the Chicago-area while migrating, and she hopes Lake County's new rules will encourage other local governments to adopt similar safeguards for birds.
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