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Chicago, IL, United States (AHN) – Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart bowed out of the nascent race for mayor of Chicago on Wednesday, boosting the chances of former presidential chief of staff Rahm Emanuel in the city’s first open contest for the post in more than two decades.

Dart, 48, cited his family in announcing his decision outside the county jail. He was expected to be a top candidate in a crowded field of more than two dozen confirmed and potential contenders, and the strongest rival against Emanuel, who left his post at the White House less than a month ago to launch a campaign.

Several reports cited the sheriff’s fundraising ability, especially against Emanuel, whose aggressive style as chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee was key to his party’s gaining back the majority in the House.

But Dart, who served as state representative in 1992 but lost his bid for state treasurer in 2002, said politics had nothing to do with his decision.

“I don’t believe I’m paving the way for anybody,” he is quoted by NBC as saying. “I don’t even know who’s formally in or not… To be honest with you, I’m not a very good politician.”

Dart’s decision comes less than week after Rep. Jesse Jackson, Jr. (D-IL) said he would not run for mayor. The congressman, son of civil rights leader the Rev. Jesse Jackson and co-chairman of the 2008 Obama campaign, admitted this summer to having a “social acquaintance” in response to reports that he had an affair with a Washington, DC, restaurant hostess.

Jackson was also tied to the corruption allegations against former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, but he has denied any wrongdoing and he was not charged in the case. The lawmaker was said to be one of several individuals who gave campaign donations to Blagojevich in return for a U.S. Senate appointment.

Chicago Mayor Richard Daley announced his retirement in September after 22 years in office. The son of the city’s longest-serving mayor, Daley was elected mayor in 1989 and re-elected five times.

Apart from Emanuel, former Sen. Carol Moseley Braun and City Colleges Board chair Gery Chico are expected to be the strongest contenders in the race following the withdrawal of Dart and Jackson.

The election will be held in February, with a runoff scheduled for April if no candidate receives at least half of all votes.

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photo credit: thingermejig

No matter the product or industry, everyone can benefit from a green office. Operating a green business is not only good for the environment but good for a business’s bottom line. Big and small, there are simple things you can do to run an environmentally friendly business.

It is important to be committed to incorporating eco-friendly best practices wherever possible to prevent waste, reduce overhead costs and increase awareness of living an eco-friendly lifestyle. Here are a few easy-to-implement ideas that can help you be a little “greener”:

- Paper and plastics are recycled on a weekly basis. Products do not need to be separated (except for food waste) since the recycling teams sort and separate by plastic, glass, etc.
- Paper products such as un-needed fax cover sheets should be recycled to provide memo pads and scratch sheets for staff.
- All computers have been upgraded in the last two years to energy efficient models.

- Where possible, buy office products that are eco-friendly [i.e. cleaning products, paper, etc.].
- Only eco-friendly cleaning products are used in the office by staff and cleaning crews.
- Before new furniture is purchased, company-wide audit is done to see if pieces from other offices can be used instead.

- Office lights are on dimmers to reduce electrical costs and sustain bulb life.
- When possible, offices will rely on the cool breeze of spring and fall [all year-round in LA!] instead of running the air conditioner.
- Employees will use a personal water bottle and coffee cup in order to save on the number of wasted paper cups.

- When possible and with the approval of the Client, leftover merchandise, packaged foods and unopened beverages should be donated to local charities and/or or a charity of the Client’s choice.
- All paper used in Xerox and fax machine are the maximum available recycled content.
- Project materials and décor are made from sustainable components, when appropriate and with the Client’s consent.
- Encourage Clients to make carbon offset contributions based on final project execution plan; calculation based on event freight, air/automotive travel and trucking needs.

A Squared Group (http://www.hiptobesquared.com) is a leading experiential marketing agency known for producing innovative, consumer marketing experiences. A2G’s award-winning work includes the development and execution of prestigious campaigns for clients such as Gap, Motorola, Nintendo, method and The ONE Campaign. In addition to receiving numerous industry accolades, A2G was awarded the 2007 Pro Awards Campaign of the Year for the Gap (PRODUCT) RED launch.

A Squared Group is headquartered in West Hollywood, California with satellite offices in New York and Chicago.