Illinois Building Commission / Division of Building Codes and Regulations
Effective July 1, 2004 the Illinois Building Commission became CDB's Division of Building Codes and Regulations. As part of the Professional Services Unit, staff will continue to offer the services administered under the Illinois Building Commission Act.
Historical Perspective
The State of Illinois has many agencies that directly or indirectly regulate the construction process. Over the years, a myriad of laws and resulting administrative regulations have been imposed on architects, engineers, owners, contractors, and building officials. A lack of codification and methods to reconcile conflicting regulations result in substantial costs to the construction industry.
The Illinois Building Commission's vision began with the passage of Senate Joint Resolution 36 (SJR36), introduced in 1995 by Senator Todd Sieben. This resolution created a Task Force to improve administration of Illinois building requirements. It was recognized that Illinois currently had several laws that govern aspects of building construction in Illinois. The responsibility is assigned to a multitude of State agencies. The Task Force was given the charge... "to study the consolidation and simplification of building codes, standards, and requirements as well as streamlining the administration of State building codes, standards and requirements..." (SJR36). The Task Force report to the Governor and the General Assembly resulted in legislation in the Spring legislative session of 1997. The Illinois General Assembly passed Senate Bill 428 sponsored in the Senate by Senators Sieben and Clayborne and in the House by Representatives Fantin, Kubik and Pankau officially creating the Illinois Building Commission. This bill received the support of over 40 diverse construction industry groups and stakeholders and was the result of a multi-year effort to address issues related to building regulations in Illinois. The Commission was created as an advisory body regarding legislation and administrative regulations relating to construction in the State of Illinois.
Governor Edgar signed the legislation enacting Public Act 90-269 effective 1/1/98. The Commission held its inaugural meeting on August 18, 1998 in Springfield.
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Goal
The Commission's goal is to provide a method of codifying and reviewing all codes and legislation related to construction in Illinois. The impetus is to create a more consistent regulatory environment regarding the authority of all State agencies as they administer various building regulations of the construction process. The Commission is focusing on two projects initially. First, providing a process of review that can provide input to the General Assembly regarding legislation as it pertains to the construction industry. Second, the development of an Electronic Code System (ECS). The Directory of Building Related Requirements, designed to educate the industry, is our initial work product. Such a computerized system will allow access for architects, engineers, contractors, code officials, and the public to have items affecting the construction of buildings and facilities throughout Illinois. As the future unfolds, such a system will be able to identify various types of construction throughout the State and perhaps even allow permitting processes to be handled via the computer in a sort of "one-stop" fashion.
Other duties of the Commission are to create a series of subcommittees that will provide a technical basis for the review and recommended reconciliation of the various codes affecting the industry in Illinois. Also, to be provided on a voluntary basis, would be a method of utilizing the Commission to act as a facilitator or mediator in disputes between State agencies regarding conflicting code interpretations. From these activities, the Commission would recommend legislative changes to avoid further conflict and costly delays to the construction process.
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IBC Responsibilities
The Illinois Building Commission was created as an entity focused with the responsibility to streamline and coordinate the building requirements of Illinois. The statute clearly defines that the membership of the Commission ...shall consist of 11 members, including: a fire official, a building official, an architect, a professional engineer, a structural engineer, a commercial contractor representative, a residential construction industry representative, a mechanical and specialty contractor representative, a labor representative, a disability advocate, and a member of the public. The Commission shall be appointed by the Governor, with the advice and consent of the Senate. [20 ILCS 3918/10]
Subcommittees - The enacting legislation gave the Commission the charge of creating subcommittees. The following is a list to date:
Subcommittee | Chair | Alternate Chair |
| Accessibility | Juris | Doug Gamble |
| Building Envelope | Crocco | Danley |
| Building and Fire Protection | Danley | Henry |
| Building Services | Velde | Christensen |
| Communications | Bill Foster | Julie Sullivan |
| Evaluation and Development | Co-Chair Wydeveld | Co-Chair Velde |
| Health Care Facilities | Bonczyk | Crocco |
| Planning | Lichthardt | Cusick |
| School Facilities | Henry |  |
| Structural Systems | Cusick | Bonczyk |
Each subcommittee advises the full Commission on any issues requiring full Commission action. The Commission may create other subcommittees as it deems appropriate.
Note: A subcommittee meeting schedule is available from the home page.
The Commission has established a total of 10 standing subcommittees with Technical Advisory Groups for each to take action on legislative and regulatory issues relevant to their respective subcommittee subject area.
Forum - Dispute Resolution - The Commission is responsible for ...providing an ongoing forum for continuing dialogue regarding the purpose and duties of the Commission. In this capacity, the Commission serves as a forum to suggest resolution of conflicts among State agencies or between a State agency and another entity that consents to the established resolution forum.
State Building Requirements Review / Compliance Reviews - The Commission is responsible for reviewing proposed and existing State building requirements and legislation for conflicting requirements to current State law or existing building requirements. The Commission is given the task of providing recommendations concerning the regulations or legislation to the proper authority. This includes the following:
suggesting a standard form for requesting compliance alternatives and modifications of State building requirements; forwarding compliance alternative requests to the appropriate State agency for appropriate action; and providing suggestive procedures and an appropriate format for appeals of State agency decisions.
Administration and Enforcement of State Building Requirements - The Commission was given the charge of submitting a long term plan to improve the enforcement and overall administration of State building requirements Statewide. The plan is to include the following recommendations:
The development of a consolidated code system containing information concerning existing State building requirements; a consistent format of State building requirements; a system or procedure for updating existing State building requirements, including, public participation; a system for the review, approval and appeal of building plans; and a system or procedure to enforce State building requirements.
Annual Report
The Commission is responsible for submitting an annual report to the Governor and the General Assembly. At a minimum, the report shall include the following:
approval of compliance alternative request(s); responsibilities of the Commission; progress toward coordination of the State's building requirements; and recommendations for legislative action by the General Assembly The annual report is available to the public by contacting the Commission office or downloading from here.
The information on this page was taken from the responsibilities or legislative charges outlined in the Illinois Building Commission Act [20 ILCS 3918]
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Subcommittee Descriptions
ACCESSIBILITY
Regarding compliance of the Illinois Accessibility Code and to include, as required, the Federal Americans with Disabilities Act ("ADA") for reference purposes.
BUILDING ENVELOPE
The performance and materials of the exterior envelope, which includes the exterior wall, exterior wall cladding, exterior openings, and roof assemblies. Performance of the exterior envelope includes energy efficiency, natural ventilation, solar transmission, sound transmission, weather protection, and fire protection of the exterior enclosure. The subcommittee coordinates with the structural systems subcommittee regarding loading of the exterior envelope.
BUILDING & FIRE PROTECTION
The use of automatic sprinklers; use of fire resistant materials and construction excluding exterior walls, fire walls and barriers, smoke barriers, penetrations and fire related assemblies; wall and ceiling finish and decorations and trim; and automatic sprinkler systems, extinguishing systems, emergency escape and rescue.
BUILDING SERVICES
Components and systems of facilities including Electrical; Mechanical; Plumbing; Elevators and Conveying Systems.
COMMUNICATIONS
To address specific communication, education or identification aspects relative to building requirement issues. To assist the Commission in its administrative functions as deemed appropriate by the Chairman of the Commission. To assist the Commission in working with various industry groups regarding legislative and regulatory issues.
EVALUATION & DEVELOPMENT
Review and evaluation of proposed and existing State agency codes and administrative rules governing the Building Industry (Building Codes); and the possibilities surrounding the development of various Statewide buiding codes.
HEALTH CARE FACILITIES
Generally, those building requirements relative to health care facilities as administered by the Illinois Departments of Public Health and Human Services.
PLANNING
Issues relating to applicability to codes; permitting issues; construction documentation requirements; fees and inspections; and appeal procedures.
SCHOOL FACILITIES
Generally, those building requirements relative to "school facilities" as administered by the Illinois State Board of Education and the Illinois Board of Higher Education.
STRUCTURAL SYSTEMS
Structural design of buildings, structures and portions of buildings and structures, including all load combination and seismic loading; investigations load-bearing values, footings and foundations dampproofing; and waterproofing and deep foundations.
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