Illinois Green Policy Update: April 2024 

City Council Debates Clean and Affordable Buildings Ordinance By Alejandra Rodriguez, Communications Intern   More than 100 clean building advocates showed up in support of the Clean and Affordable Buildings Ordinance (CABO) at an April 3 Chicago City Council hearing.  Many supporters of CABO told council members why they believe this ordinance is vital for…

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Illinois Green Policy Update: March 2024 

Energy Efficiency Progress Delayed Challenges to the 2024 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) may hamper Illinois’ ability to improve energy efficiency—even as the state makes moves to adopt high performance building standards.  Illinois has an obligation to adopt the latest version of the IECC, but some groups have lobbied the International Code Council(ICC) to weaken…

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Policy Brief: Stretch Codes

To comply with one of the mandates in the historic 2021 Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA), Illinois has undergone the process of working with energy efficiency experts and stakeholders to develop residential and commercial stretch energy codes. As of early 2024, the drafted stretch codes are ready for state approval. Stretch codes set much more aggressive energy…

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