Each month in Mindful Business Matters, Jessa explores the local sustainable and wellness business landscape, highlighting companies' unique work and connections to the city.

Going Green Limousine

Many people start their own companies within industries they’ve been working in, or surrounded by, for several years. But most don’t have the same motivations as Going Green Limousine’s owner, Rebecca Schmuck, who started her livery company in September 2009 to, “do the right thing.”

Schmuck’s husband had been in the business as a chauffeur for 20 years and she learned that traditional livery cars idle about 12 hours each day and there are 9,000 such vehicles in Chicago alone. Her husband would get in his car, drive to work, get in another car and it would run almost the entire day, even while waiting for calls. “I thought, that’s just crazy,” says Schmuck.

After having a child and being diagnosed with cancer within the last few years, Schmuck became more interested in toxicity and creating a cleaner, healthier environment. “It makes you really want to do whatever you can to protect your family,” she says.

For Schmuck “the right thing” involved providing first-rate, quality car service, while contributing up to 80 percent less emissions than a standard livery business. Going Green Limousine’s fleet is made up of hybrid cars and SUVs (the Ford Escape hybrid is the signature car) and flex-fuel vehicles for five to seven passenger pickup needs. When Schmuck’s drivers are waiting for you at the airport, rest assured your car isn’t using fuel. Employees also telecommute, so no one is driving one car to a location just to get to another car for a pickup.


For any trips taken with traditional vehicles, such as stretch limos (for more than eight people only) or party busses, the company makes a donation to The Rainforest Site. Schmuck notes she’s looking into switching her donation beneficiary to a local organization in 2010.

Just as any green business must prove its merit outside of its green values, Going Green Limousine makes sure it’s at the top of the game when it comes to overall customer service. In the signature Ford Escape hybrid SUV, passengers can enjoy mobile wifi, an on board computer, gaming and movie systems in headrests, outlets for charging devices, as well as a complimentary copy of Mindful Metropolis. And, while Chicago livery companies are not required by law to provide car seats, Schmuck says as a mom herself that’s not acceptable. Sanitized seats for all ages are available at reservation time.

Going Green Limousine is currently offering 40 percent off customers first fare when they create an online account. A ride from downtown to O’Hare or Midway is $49 and service is available to all of Chicago, surrounding suburbs, Northwest Indiana and the Milwaukee area. Find out more by following the company on Facebook and Twitter.