Illinois

Current Codes

2013 Illinois Energy Conservation Code

Code Type: Residential, Commercial, Public Buildings

Based on: 2012 IECC, ASHRAE 90.1-2010 Mandatory

Date Effective: Friday, January 11, 2013

Date Passed: Tuesday, December 11, 2012

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Additional Code Information

Code Adoption & Change Process

Code Change Process:

[Legislative & Regulatory]: The Illinois Energy Conservation Code is overseen by the Capital Development Board (CDB) Division of Building Codes & Regulations. The Illinois Energy Code Advisory Council (IECAC) meets regularly to evaluate energy code issues and provide advice to CDB.

CDB reviews and adopts the latest edition of the IECC within a year of its publication by approving an administrative rule. The rule adopting the new code must then be approved by the General Assembly's Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (JCAR).

Code Change Cycle:

An automatic update provision directs the Capital Development Board to adopt each new version of the IECC within nine months of its publication, with an effective date three months afterwards.

In 2012, the Illinois General assembly approved SB 3724, setting the implementation date for CDB's pending rule adopting the 2012 IECC at no earlier than January 1, 2013.

Next Code Update:

The 2015 IECC is expected to be published in July 2014, so the next Illinois code update would be expected some time no earlier than January 2015 (and would likely be later).

History

In August 2004, House Bill 4099 (the Energy Efficient Commercial Building Act) created a mandatory statewide energy code for commercial buildings, based on the 2001 IECC and ASHRAE Standard 90.1-1999.

This commercial code was later updated to the 2006 IECC and ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2004, becoming effective October 6, 2007.

On May 31, 2009, the Illinois General Assembly approved the Energy Efficient Building Act (HB 3987), which was signed by Gov. Pat Quinn on August 28, 2009. The legislation directed the Illinois Capital Development Board (CDB) to adopt the Illinois Energy Conservation Code, which became effective January 29, 2010. The new statewide code (71 IAC 600) incorporated the 2009 IECC for residential buildings and privately-funded commercial buildings and ASHRAE 90.1-2007 for publicly-funded state buildings (previously, there was not a mandatory residential statewide energy code based on the IECC). An automatic update provision directed CDB to adopt each subsequent version of the IECC within nine months of its publication, with an effective date three months afterwards.

The legislation also removed local home rule jurisdiction over residential energy standards. Local governments are allowed to adopt more stringent energy codes for commercial buildings (but not less stringent). These jurisdictions also may not adopt residential codes more or less stringent than the state code (however, exemptions to go above the state residential code are made for municipalities that adopted at least the 2006 IECC before May 2009 or have more than 1,000,000 residents).

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In 2012, the Illinois General assembly approved SB 3724, setting the implementation date for CDB's pending rule adopting the 2012 IECC at no earlier than January 1, 2013.

JCAR approved a rule adopting the 2013 Illinois Energy Conservation Code (the 2012 IECC with Illinois-specific amendments) on December 11, 2012. The new code became effective January 11, 2013.

Information last updated March 6, 2013

Basic Facts

Climate Zone:

Zones 4A and 5A (zones based on DOE's most recent zoning: zone numbers based on a spectrum, zone 1 represents very hot weather and zone 8 represents subarctic weather. Letters indicate climate type, A-Humid, B-Dry, C-Marine)

Population:

12,910,409 (2009, U.S. Census Bureau)

Construction Activity:

2008 New Housing Units Authorized by Permit:
Total units: 22,528
Number of Housing Units by Structure Type:
1 unit: 11,827
2 units: 422
3 and 4 units: 1,095
5 or more units: 9,184
(2008, Real Estate Center)

Projected Construction Rate:

Single family dwellings:11,830 units (-52% less than previous year), and with an average values of $225,000 per unit
(2008, Real Estate Center)

CO2 Emissions:

242.83 MMT CO₂ (2007)

Energy Data

Primary Energy Source:

Petroleum: 35.1% (2007, EIA)

Energy Consumption:

Total annual consumption of 4,043.2 Trillion Btu (2007, EIA)

Energy Expenditures:

48,296.90 Million Nominal Dollars (2007, EIA)

Energy Snapshot:

81% of the state’s natural gas supply is used for heating the home.

Natural gas is the largest consumed source of energy for the state’s residential sector

Residential use of natural gas in Illinois costs up to $7.47/thousand cu ft.

Source: EIA

Climate Concerns

Regional Issues & State Action:

According to the United States Global Change Research Program, the Midwest has experienced rising average temperatures with the largest warming seen in the winter months. The growing season has been extended by one week because of earlier last spring frosts and precipitation has become more frequent including increased instances of heavy downpours. Since the 1980s, large heat waves have become more frequent than any time in the last century. In addition, there has been a decrease in lake ice, including on the Great Lakes. These effects of climate change are predicted to continue, threatening the region’s economy, landscape, character, and quality of life.

The Illinois Climate Change Advisory Group was created by a executive order signed by Governor Blagojevich in 2006. The Group was charged with creating a long term strategy to address the effects of climate change. The recommendations were completed and included updating the energy code beyond international standards and increased incentives for energy efficient buildings. In addition, Illinois signed on to be a member of the Midwest Greenhouse Gas Reduction Accord which was signed by nine governors and two Canadian premiers in 2007 in recognition of the impacts that the Midwest has on climate change.

BCAP Estimated Energy Savings

Contact Paul Karrer for savings information for your state Pkarrer@ase.org.

Resources

2012 Excellence In Energy Code Compliance Award Winners

posted by Ryan M
CPA Presentation: 2012 ACEEE Summer Study

posted by Mark Lessans
White Paper: Compliance Planning Assistance Program

posted by Mark Lessans
2012 IECC Incremental Cost Payback: Illinois Climate Zone 5

posted by Mark Lessans
2012 IECC Incremental Cost Payback: Illinois Climate Zone 4

posted by Mark Lessans

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mashen96	ldapkus	bftech	Jerry M. Gillette
BKerker	lzb@comcast.net	rlebrun	Stacey Paradis

Advocacy Opportunities	Status	Explanations
Adopt Mandatory Codes	(Commercial Only)	Residential: No mandatory statewide residential code. Illinois is a home rule state and local jurisdictions adopt their own residential codes. Commercial: Illinois’ mandatory statewide commercial code is the 2006 IECC and ASHRAE 90.1-2004.
Adopt an Automatic Review & Update Process		Currently, the state’s Capital Development Board must review new versions of the commercial IECC as they are published by the ICC. Recent legislation (as of August 2009, pending Governor’s signature) would require the Capital Development Board to adopt the most recent version of the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) within 9 months of its publication and take effect three months thereafter.
Create a Regulatory Process		The promulgation of a statewide residential energy code and any proposed changes to the commercial energy code proceed through the state legislature. Changes to the commercial energy code are made by the Capital Development Board.
Improve Compliance		Commercial: The Capital Development Board enforces and interprets the Illinois Energy Conservation Code for state projects. COMcheck may be used to demonstrate compliance.
Eliminate Weakening Amendments
Add Strengthening Amendments
Allow Innovation at the Local Level		HB 3987 was recently passed by the state legislature. It preempts home rule authority and mandates the 2009 IECC as the minimum commercial code AND the minimum and maximum residential code (meaning the communities may not adopt codes that are either more or less stringent than the 2009 IECC) for some communities. For residential code, HB 3987 only applies to jurisdictions that have already adopted an energy code. HB 3987 makes another exception for cities with over one million people (i.e., Chicago) and for cities that have already adopted a code that is equivalent to the 2006 IECC or better. These jurisdictions must adopt codes as stringent as the 2009 IECC -- but may also go above it.
Set Milestones Established
Adopt Green Codes		State Wide Program: Illinois. School Construction Law, 2007 Program Description: The Illinois State Senate amended the School Construction Law (Public Act #95-0416 ) with the governor’s approval, directing the Capital Development Board to only issue grants to school projects with LEED for Schools or comparable rating system certification, or to projects that meet the standards set forth by the Capital Development Board’s Green Building Advisory Committee. Energy Standard: LEED for Schools State Wide Program: Illinois. The Green Neighborhood Grant Act, 2007 Program Description: Illinois is the first state to create incentives for LEED for Neighborhood Development (ND). This Act directs the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to fund up to 1.5% of total development costs for up to three (3) applicable neighborhoods per year, funds permitting. Applicable neighborhood developments will have achieved LEED-ND certification. Energy Standard: LEED- ND

August 2009

Resources:

ICLEI - international association of local governments and their associations
www.iclei.org
Illinois has ten local government members:
Algonquin, Carol Stream, Chicago, Elmhurst, Lake Forest, Northbrook, Plainfield, Rock Island, Springfield, and Urbana.

Mayors Climate Protection Center
www.usmayors.org
Thirty-eight Illinois Mayors who have signed The U.S. Conference of Mayors’ Climate Protection Agreement:
Algonquin, Alton, Aurora, Bolingbrook, Carbondale, Carol Stream, Chicago, East Peoria, Elgin, Elmhurst, Evanston, Hazel Crest, Highland Park, Hoffman Estates, Homewood, Lake Forest, Lake in the Hills, Minooka, Moline, Normal, Northbrook, Oak Park, Palatine, Park Forest, Parkridge, Peru, Plainfield, Rock Falls, Rock Island, Rolling Meadows, Schaumburg, Spring Valley, Springfield, Urbana, Villa Park, Waukegan, Westmont, and Wilmette.

International Codes Council (ICC) Regional and State Chapters:
Ms. Kathy Slawinski
ICC Chicago District Office
4051 West Flossmoor Road
Country Club Hills, IL 60478
Phone: 1-888-422-7233, Ext. 4319
KSlawinski@iccsafe.org

Mr. Bob Neale
Regional Manager, State & Local Government Relations
4051 W. Flossmoor Road
Country Club Hills, IL 60478
Phone: 1-888-422-7233, Ext. 4264
BNeale@iccsafe.org

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