BUILDING REVIEW BOARD AGENDA ITEM
ACTION REQUESTED:
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Receive the Illinois Stretch Energy Code presentation and accept public comments
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DEPARTMENT: Transportation, Engineering and Development
SUBMITTED BY: Mark Dudash, Chief Building Official
BOARD/COMMISSION REVIEW:
At the August 20, 2025 Building Review Board (BRB) meeting, members of the Naperville Environment and Sustainability Task Force (NEST) and building community spoke during public forum about the Illinois Stretch Energy Codes.
BACKGROUND:
All municipalities in the State of Illinois are required to adopt the newest version of Illinois Energy Conservation Code (ILECC) when it is adopted by the state. When Illinois passed Public Act 102-0662, The Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA), it required the Illinois Capital Development Board to create and implement an Illinois Stretch Energy Code (Stretch Code) to achieve more energy efficiency in buildings than the Illinois Energy Conservation Code. There are two Stretch Codes: (1) commercial and (2) residential.
All new state funded facilities are required to follow the Stretch Codes. At this time, municipalities are encouraged but are not required to adopt the Stretch Codes. If a municipality adopts one or both of the Stretch Codes, it takes the place of the ILECC for new building construction.
Currently the City is working under the 2021 ILECC code. The state of Illinois updates the ILECC every three years and is expected to adopt the 2024 ILECC in 2025. After the state adopts the 2024 ILECC, the City can decide to adopt the 2024 ILECC as is, adopt it with amendments that are more stringent or adopt the Stretch Codes instead of the ILECC.
DISCUSSION:
Because the Stretch Codes are new, the Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (MEEA) will conduct a presentation to explain the commercial and residential Illinois Stretch Energy Codes to the BRB. The following materials from MEEA are attached to this agenda item:
• Stretch Code FAQ
• Stretch Code Adoption and Implementation Flow Charts
• Comparison of the 2024 ILECC and Stretch Code - Commercial
• Comparison of the 2024 ILECC and Stretch Code - Residential
• Comparison of the 2021 ILECC and Stretch Code - Commercial
• Comparison of the 2021 ILECC and Stretch Code - Residential
• Stretch Code Adoption Grants
Following the completion of the presentation, members of the public and BRB will be allowed to provide comments and ask questions. No action regarding the Stretch Codes will be taken at the October 15 BRB meeting.
It is anticipated that a recommendation about the 2024 IECC and Stretch Codes will be brought to BRB in early 2025. Before returning to BRB, staff intends to do the following:
• Provide an open comment period for BRB and the public to provide questions and/or comments regarding the IECC and Stretch Code.
• Reconvene the IECC committee to review public questions/comments, deliberate and develop a recommendation to present to the BRB.