Two Chicago suburban communities – the Village of River Forest and Village of Skokie – solidified their commitment to environmental sustainability by joining the B20 Club of Illinois. As new members, River Forest and Skokie join other Illinois communities and organizations working toward cleaner air and more sustainable operations by fueling with B20 biodiesel.
Established in 2014, the B20 Club is a partnership between the Illinois Soybean Association (ISA) and the American Lung Association that promotes the use of B20 and higher blends of biodiesel as readily available, low-carbon fuel solutions.
“We applaud the villages of River Forest and Skokie for taking steps to help improve air quality and protect the environment by fueling with biodiesel,” said Bailey Arnold, Director of Healthy Air solutions for the American Lung Association and Program Director of Air Quality and Member Engagement for the B20 Club. “We look forward to partnering River Forest, Skokie, and other B20 Club members to continue to educate fleet operators on the benefits of biodiesel.”
Village of River Forest
The Village of River Forest began fueling municipal vehicles with B20 in the fall of 2024, after learning about the low-carbon fuel at a meeting of the Cross-Community Climate Collaborative, a regional initiative aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting sustainability in Cook County.
Now, B20 powers the Village’s entire diesel fleet, including dump trucks, snowplows, a front-end loader, fire apparatus and an ambulance.
“Biodiesel brings a positive impact to our community with very little extra effort. It’s an easy switch that helps reduce our carbon footprint,” said Jack Bielak, Village of River Forest Director of Public Works and Engineering.
The Village of River Forest relies on B20 biodiesel to fuel fire apparatus, ambulances, snowplows and dump trucks that serve the municipality.
Village of Skokie
The Village of Skokie started using B5 biodiesel in 2020, moving to a higher B20 blend when the community adopted a new environmental sustainability plan in 2022. The Village uses B20 to fuel 85 diesel-powered vehicles and pieces of equipment that keep Skokie running safely and efficiently.
For its efforts toward more sustainable operations, the Village of Skokie received honorable mention in the NAFA Fleet Management Association’s Green Fleet Award program in 2025.
“We like that biodiesel reduces greenhouse gases and it helps that biodiesel is locally produced so we’re not transporting fuel over long distances. It’s just an all-around better fuel for our community,” said Brad Maggi, Village of Skokie Operations and Fleet Superintendent.
Refuse haulers and other diesel-powered equipment in the Village of Skokie run on B20 biodiesel for more sustainable operations.
Impact of B20 Use
Use of B20 in communities like River Forest and Skokie has far-reaching impacts in Illinois.
“Expanded use of biodiesel in Illinois communities contributes directly to our bottom line,” said Illinois soybean farmer and ISA District Director Rob Shaffer.
“Biodiesel not only supports farmers, but also creates jobs, lowers carbon emissions, and reduces our reliance on foreign feedstocks.”
Other B20 Club Members
The two new B20 Club members join municipalities, utilities, trucking companies, marine fleets, fuel suppliers, and other organizations who have joined the B20 Club since 2014, leveraging the program’s recognition, technical support, and industry network to reduce emissions, improve performance, and demonstrate leadership in cleaner, more sustainable operations.
For more information about biodiesel and the B20 Club, click here.