Public Act 093-0936 (Illinois Energy Conservation Code for Commercial Buildings) was signed into law in August, 2004 by Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich. The Illinois Energy Conservation Code for Commercial Buildings became effective April 8, 2006. On October 9, 2007 the Law was revised to mandate the latest published edition, excluding supplements, of the International Energy Conservation Code. The Illinois Code is currently the 2006 International Energy Conservation Code.
WHAT THE LAW REQUIRES
This Law requires all new commercial construction for which a building permit application is received by a municipality or county to follow a comprehensive statewide energy conservation code. Renovations, alterations, additions, and repairs to most existing commercial buildings must follow the Illinois Energy Conservation Code. Local governments are also free to adopt stricter energy conservation Laws. The Law requires design and construction professionals to follow the latest published edition of the International Energy Conservation Code which is currently the 2006 International Energy Conservation Code and the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air-conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) Standard 90.1, 2004 “Energy Standard for Buildings except Low-Rise Residential Buildings.” Under the law, the Capital Development Board has the power to modify the Illinois Energy Conservation Code.
THE GOALS OF THE LAW
The Law is designed to help protect the environment and reduce energy consumption. By following an energy conservation code, property owners can reduce air pollution, moderate energy demand and stabilize energy costs and electric, oil, and gas supplies.
WHAT THE LAW DOESN’T COVER
The Law does not apply to officially designated historic buildings, buildings exempt from a local building code, buildings that do not use energy for comfort conditioning and buildings wired for less than 100 amps of power or buildings that do not have electric comfort heating. The Law also does not apply to residential structures: with three stories or less above ground, houses, townhouses, row houses, apartments, convents, monasteries, rectories, fraternity and sorority houses, dormitories, and rooming houses, all of which are three stories or less. “Illinois’ Energy Efficient Commercial Building Act" can be found in Chapter 20 of the Illinois Compiled Statutes, Act 3125.”
Capital Development Board website link
International Code Council
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