State Code Status: Illinois | The Building Codes Assistance Project

Current Commercial Code

2015 IECC and ASHRAE 90.1-2013 with state-specific amendments
effective 1/1/16

Current Residential Code

2015 IECC with state-specific amendments
effective 1/1/16

Capital Development Board Notice of Adopted Amendments for the 2015 IECC

Enforcement

CDB and the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) are responsible for defining compliance procedures. Code enforcement is the duty of the local jurisdiction, which must meet minimum compliance documentation requirements.

Climate Zones: 4A, 5A

Code Adoption and Change Process

Code Change Process

When developing code adaptations, rules, and procedures for compliance with the code, the Capital Development Board (CDB) is required to seek input from representatives of the building trades, design professionals, construction professionals, code administrators, and other interested entities affected by the new code. To ensure input from these groups, CDB created the Illinois Energy Code Advisory Council (ILECAC) which has representatives from each of the groups listed above. The ILECAC reviews proposed amendments and votes to accept or reject them; the council’s recommendations are then brought to the CDB. After the CDB accepts the recommendations, they are finally then submitted to the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (JCAR) for acceptance and implementation.

Code Change Cycle

In accordance with the Energy Efficient Building Act, the Illinois Capital Development Board (CDB) is required to review and adopt the most current version of the IECC within one year following its publication date. The code will then become effective within six months following its adoption by the CDB.

Next Code Update

The next code update for Illinois depends on the publication date of the 2018 IECC, which is still in preliminary code development stages. Illinois’ next code update should not take effect until at least early 2019.

History

January 1, 2016	The 2015 IECC becomes effective for both commercial and residential buildings.
2014	The Capital Development Board (CDB), in conjunction with the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, begins the update cycle for the Illinois Energy Conservation Code from the 2012 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) to the 2015 IECC. Proposed amendments are accepted by the Illinois Energy Conservation Advisory Committee from July 1, 2014 – December 1, 2014.
January 11, 2013	The 2012 Illinois Energy Conservation Code for residential buildings is implemented. Senate Bill 3724 amended the implementation date of this code and also lengthened the time that the ILECAC and CDB have to review and adopt future building code editions. A new energy code for privately funded commercial facilities is also implemented. It is the 2012 Illinois Energy Conservation Code and is based on the 2012 IECC with Illinois-specific amendments. ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2010 is an acceptable compliance path through Chapter CE-4 of the 2012 IECC.
December 11, 2012	JCAR approves a rule adopting the 2012 Illinois Energy Conservation Code (the 2012 IECC with Illinois-specific amendments). Amendments to the residential provisions of the 2012 IECC include: Building envelope tightness testing has been amended to allow 5 ACH 50 instead of 3 ACH 50 The ventilation chapter from the 2012 IRC was imported into the 2012 IECC Basement insulation must only go down four feet and not the full depth of the basement wall The state will not require a blower door test on additions or alterations, but the checklist requirements must be followed
August 17, 2012	The Illinois General assembly approves SB 3724, setting the implementation date for CDB’s pending rule adopting the 2012 IECC at no earlier than January 1, 2013. The new code shall apply to any new building or structure in Illinois for which a building permit application is received by a municipality or county.
November 28, 2011	The Illinois Energy Code Advisory Council votes to recommend adoption of the 2012 IECC to update the Illinois Energy Conservation Code (currently based on the 2009 IECC). The update proposal amendment includes: Air infiltration will be 5 ACH50 instead of 3 ACH50; For additions, alternations, etc., a blower door test will not be required. Instead, builders are required to follow the air infiltration checklist only; Section M1507.3 of the IRC will be imported into the residential energy chapter. The next step is for the proposal to go before the Illinois Capital Development Board (CDB) and the General Assembly’s Joint Committee on Administrative Review (JCAR).
February 15, 2011	A bill (HB 1612) is introduced in the Illinois General Assembly that would exempt residential alterations, renovations, and additions from needing to comply with the Illinois Energy Conservation Code (based on the 2009 IECC), significantly reducing the energy savings potential of the code. It would also add confusion to enforcement of the code by identifying the undefined term of “energy inspectors” as responsible for enforcing the energy efficiency provisions. This bill eventually dies in the House.
January 29, 2010	New requirements for residential buildings as stipulated by amendments to the Energy Efficient Building Act go into effect. The 2009 IECC is established as the first energy code for residential buildings in Illinois. The new statewide code (71 IAC 600) also incorporates the 2009 IECC for privately funded commercial buildings and ASHRAE 90.1-2007 for publicly funded commercial buildings.
January 2010	The Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (MEEA) releases a Request for Proposal (RFP) to measure the baseline compliance rate for residential and non-residential buildings in Illinois with the 2009 IECC. The work to be carried out in the RFP is funded as part of the recent U.S. Department of Energy solicitation.
September 2009	The Chicago Chapter of the US Green Building Council releases a report looking at the post-occupancy performance of LEED projects in the state.
August 28, 2009	Gov. Pat Quinn signs HB 3987 into law on, establishing Public Act 096-0778.
May 31, 2009	the Illinois General Assembly approves the Energy Efficient Buildings Act (HB 3987), modifying the previous Energy Efficient Commercial Buildings Act to require the latest version of the IECC as the building energy code for both commercial and residential buildings. This legislation preempts local jurisdiction home rule power over energy codes. An automatic update provision of the bill requires the state’s Capital Development Board to adopt the most recent version of the IECC within nine months of its publication and take effect three months thereafter. The requirements of the new energy code will apply to all new residential and commercial buildings (including alterations, additions, renovations, and repairs). Local jurisdictions will be prohibited from adopting energy codes more or less stringent for residential buildings (although exemptions are provided for municipalities that have already adopted a code equivalent to or more stringent than the 2006 IECC [before May 15, 2009] or those that have a population of more than 1 million) and from adopting energy codes less stringent for commercial buildings. Local jurisdictions that do not currently administer building energy standards will not be required to adopt or enforce the new state code, but the state government will implement and enforce the new state code on their behalf.
For a comprehensive history of energy code legislation in Illinois, please click here.