Both Illinois Chambers have now passed by overwhelming bipartisan margins SB2368 which requires that all jurisdictions in the state adopt the International Building Code (IBC), International Residential Code (IRC) and International Existing Building Code (IEBC). The International Codes (I-Codes) are the most widely used and adopted set of building codes in the U.S. and around the world.

The Code Council, along with several organizations, worked to amend the Bill, and testified before both the Senate and House committees. As the largest of the seven remaining states without a statewide building code, Illinois passing this bill now creates a statewide minimum standard for structural design within the framework of existing Illinois laws.

The legislation addresses residential, commercial, and existing buildings and construction and accounts for communities with and without local building codes already adopted. SB2368 ensures that newly built construction and substantially improved existing commercial buildings throughout Illinois are designed and built in accordance with national standards for resilience to natural disasters such as snowstorms, high winds, tornadoes, earthquakes, and flooding.

“We congratulate Illinois for taking a major step towards ensuring a resilient future for its residents,” said Tim Schmitz, lead senior regional manager of government relations at the Code Council. “Our coalition was tireless, and this bill shows Illinois’ commitment to the adoption of hazard-resistant building codes.”

The new legislation paves the way for Illinois communities to be more competitive for federal funding opportunities that support code adoption and enforcement activities such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program. The BRIC program awards billions annually in pre-disaster mitigation grants to jurisdictions. Communities that adopt and effectively implement hazard-resistant codes are afforded preferential consideration.

More details about the recently passed legislation can be found here.