Staff and consultants presented four paths: the current Illinois energy-code framework, two stretch-code approaches, and targeted local appendices. Staff recommended retaining the current framework while considering a modular approach to additional provisions.
The presentation described concerns about upfront construction and renovation costs, maintenance, ease of compliance and predictable implementation. Members discussed phasing and possible incentives, including whether qualifying permits could receive expedited review.
The closing discussion showed support for the modular pathway. This was policy direction at Committee of the Whole, not a vote adopting a new building code.
The packet makes the modular approach more concrete: it would keep the 2024 Illinois Energy Conservation Code as the base and add selected requirements by building type or project size. Thornton Tomasetti proposed starting with voluntary EV-, solar-, storage- and electric-ready infrastructure, potentially paired with preferential permitting, then adding lower-cost lighting and ventilation measures before deeper building-envelope and mechanical-system upgrades.
The consultant suggested 2030 for the first lower-cost phase, 2036 for envelope and system optimization, and 2042 for the deepest-performance package. Those were planning recommendations, not adopted deadlines: the report says the final schedule should depend on legal review, staff readiness, market capacity, incentives and early implementation experience.
Staff said the review was supported by a $160,230 Illinois Climate Pollution Reduction grant for 2026 work, and that receiving the grant did not require the city to adopt the stretch code. The packet also cautions against treating public feedback as a broad survey: only eight responses were submitted during the engagement process.
The September 28 minutes included for approval in the October 13 packet also record council support for moving forward with Pathway 4. They summarize discussion of utility capacity, implementation costs, commercial impacts and incentives, but do not record an ordinance-adoption vote on this item.