Two Chicago suburban communities—the villages of River Forest and Skokie—solidified their commitment to environmental sustainability by joining the B20 Club.

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 and American Lung Association that promotes use of B20 biodiesel, a readily available, low-carbon fuel solution.

“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, the 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 with 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,” said Jack Bielak, River Forest’s director of public works and engineering. “It’s an easy switch that helps reduce our carbon footprint.”

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, 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,” said Brad Maggi, Skokie’s operations and fleet superintendent. “It’s just an all-around better fuel for our community.”

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 Rob Shaffer, an Illinois soybean farmer and ISA district director. “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, visit B20Club.org.