Richard Expands Sustainable Building Expertise Through Illinois Green Alliance Partnership
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Richard Expands Sustainable Building Expertise Through Illinois Green Alliance Partnership
Chicago-based contractor expands focus on sustainability and technology through Purpose Builder program
Chicago, IL – August 25, 2025 – Richard today announced its partnership with Illinois Green Alliance, completing the sustainability pillar of the company's Purpose Builder Program. This demonstrates Richard's commitment to leveraging its extensive federal experience and applying enhanced sustainable building practices to better serve all clients while advancing technology and power efficiency across Illinois.
The partnership with Illinois Green Alliance represents the final component of Richard's comprehensive Purpose Builder Program, which builds efficient and dynamic spaces that advance community, well-being, and sustainability. Earlier this year, Richard announced partnerships with Habitat for Humanity and Hope Ignites to strengthen the community pillar by building for those in need, and with Lurie Children's Hospital to support the well-being pillar by giving back to its youngest population in need of top-tier healthcare.
Through this partnership, Richard demonstrates its commitment to taking proven sustainable practices from veteran facility construction and enhancing them to better serve clients across all sectors, while supporting Illinois Green Alliance's ambitious goal of making all buildings in Illinois net zero by 2050. Richard team members will participate in Illinois Green Alliance's extensive educational resources and events, furthering the company's expertise in sustainable building practices and helping Illinois reach its net zero goal.
"We're excited to partner with Illinois Green Alliance to complete our Purpose Builder Program's sustainability pillar," said Jed Richard, CEO at Richard. "This partnership allows us to do our part as better builders in the green space, furthering technology and power efficiency while supporting Illinois' transition to a more resilient built environment. Our Green Homes for Veterans project in Danville is a perfect example of how we use advanced technology to help our clients not only meet environmental standards, but achieve peak cost savings through building durability and energy efficiency. We're thrilled to take advantage of the learning opportunities this partnership provides for our staff while getting more involved in supporting our local community and Illinois' net zero goals—we're big stewards of this mission."
Richard brings proven sustainable building expertise to the partnership through its extensive work with federal healthcare facilities, where the company already follows stringent federal sustainability standards. As the largest repairer of Legionella for the Department of Veterans Affairs, Richard ensures that deadly Legionella bacteria doesn't spread through water systems in veteran facilities nationwide. Additionally, Richard adheres to VA specification section 018113 – Sustainable Construction Requirements, which maintains the VA's comprehensive sustainability program through tracking recycled content of materials, utilizing biobased products, implementing low pollutant-emitting materials and machinery, using low VOC materials that protect both environmental and human health, and deploying energy-saving equipment for long-term operational savings. This extensive experience with federal sustainability standards positions Richard to bring proven expertise to Illinois' net zero building initiatives while continuously improving to better serve all clients.
Richard's Purpose Builder Program represents a holistic approach to construction that prioritizes giving back to the community. Through its partnership with Habitat for Humanity and Hope Ignites, Richard addresses community needs, while its collaboration with Lurie Children's Hospital focuses on well-being and healthcare needs in the community. The Illinois Green Alliance partnership now completes the program's framework by emphasizing environmental responsibility and technological advancement, exemplified by projects like the Danville Green Homes for Veterans, where cutting-edge sustainable systems—including advanced water management and air quality controls informed by Richard's Legionella remediation expertise and VA sustainability compliance—create both superior veteran care environments and significant operational cost savings.
"We welcome Richard as a Silver Level Sponsor and value their commitment to advancing net zero building practices," said Brian Imus, Executive Director at Illinois Green Alliance. "Their comprehensive Purpose Builder Program demonstrates how construction companies can make meaningful impacts across multiple areas while supporting our mission to create a more sustainable built environment."
Illinois Green Alliance tracks and maps zero energy, carbon, water, and waste certified projects throughout Illinois, featuring achievements on their Net Zero Honor Roll. The organization focuses on three key strategic areas: educating architecture, engineering, and construction professionals; demonstrating net zero feasibility in historically underinvested communities; and advocating for supportive policies.
The partnership reflects Richard's dedication to being better builders who advance technology and power efficiency while supporting environmental stewardship. By completing all three pillars of the Purpose Builder Program—community, well-being, and sustainability—and by actively participating in Illinois Green Alliance's educational initiatives, Richard positions itself among Illinois' leading advocates for comprehensive, socially responsible building practices as the state works toward its ambitious 2050 net zero goal.
Learn more about Richard's Purpose Builder program and read the full case study.
About Illinois Green Alliance Illinois Green Alliance (Illinois Green) is a membership driven, mission-based, community centered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization serving the state of Illinois. Established in 2002 by a coalition of visionary professionals from the built environment sector and passionate sustainability advocates, Illinois Green has been at the vanguard of Illinois’ green building movement for two decades.
About Richard Established in 2014, Richard is a nationally recognized, purpose-driven general contracting company headquartered in Chicago, IL. Founded by veteran Jed Richard, the award-winning company builds efficient and dynamic spaces that advance community, sustainability, and well-being nationwide. As the largest repairer of Legionella for the Department of Veterans Affairs, Richard brings specialized expertise in water system safety and environmental health to all projects. Richard has consistently earned recognition from Inc. and Crain's Chicago Business as one of the Fastest Growing Companies and Best Places to Work, delivering transformative projects including patient care facilities, data centers, governmental buildings, and water treatment centers. Founded on a mission to make an impact, Richard combines speed, simplicity, and safety with deep expertise to ensure communities can work, heal, live, and thrive. For more information, visit richardgroup.com.
Media Contact: Colleen Richardson, media@richardgroup.com