Illinois
Illinois Building Code Update Sparks Debate with All-Electric Rejection

In a move with significant developments, Illinois’ governing board overseeing building standards has declined to adopt the all-electric code. The “all-voluntary electrical code” in Illinois refers to a code or set of regulations governing electrical systems and installations in buildings that is optional or voluntary for compliance.
This decision comes amidst a growing trend in northern Illinois, mainly the Chicago communities to curb natural gas use in new construction projects.
The Legal Tussle Between Illinois International Code Council (ICC) and Federal Court
Illinois International Code Council (ICC) discarded an optional all-electric construction code in its 2024 International Energy Conservation Code. It is the standard model for building codes nationwide. The decision to reverse the code echoed a landmark ruling by the US Court.
- However, it has received significant repercussions from the ICC board of directors.
Painting a clearer picture, the advisory council of experts, tasked with updating the state’s building codes over time, initially incorporated the all-electric option into the Illinois stretch energy code.
However, on March 20, the Illinois Capital Development Board (CDB), appointed by the governor, countered this decision by removing the all-electric appendix from the stretch code. This action stemmed from apprehensions regarding potential legal liabilities for communities.
Consequently, Illinois communities will find themselves without a standardized, readily available method for enforcing all-electric new construction.
The insights of this ruling, fetched from S&P Global Market Intelligence are noted below:
- The ICC cautioned cities and states that embracing the 2024 international code’s draft all-electric provision could lead to a “significant risk” of federal law conflicts.
- This decision was influenced by the US Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit, which held that the federal Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA) preempted Berkeley, Calif.’s pioneering building gas ban.
- The conflict between ICC and CDB highlights the larger impact of obstructing building decarbonization efforts.
- This ruling can affect Western US states and territories. It can also go beyond the regions of the 9th Circuit’s jurisdiction, where courts have not yet addressed EPCA’s compatibility with local electrification codes.
Although the new rule marks a fallout from a nationwide decision, it has established a precedent that challenges local electrification mandates across the country.
Illinois Seeking Sustainable Solutions through CEJA
Illinois located in the heart of the United States, is the nation’s third-largest consumer of gas in both residential and commercial sectors.
While Illinois aims for emission reductions through its Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA), the clash between state aspirations and federal preemption poses a formidable challenge. The recent decisions highlight the complexity of balancing environmental objectives with legal compliance.
Amidst all the conundrum, Illinois seeks to navigate through the legal and environmental challenges with some sustainable solutions.
Stretch Code Development by CDB
CDB’s Energy Conservation Advisory Council has developed a stretch code in Illinois aimed to align with CEJA’s goals. The climate bill required the CDB to create an optional code exceeding Illinois Energy Conservation Code standards. It would also adhere to international code standards.
It is expected to offer additional measures to enhance building efficiency and reduce emissions. The removal of the all-electric appendix raises doubts about the state’s ability to offer a unified sustainable construction approach.
The stretch code further gives a boost to the rising movement in Chicago and neighboring regions to curb gas and fossil fuel usage in new construction projects.
During the March 20 meeting, numerous local government representatives emphasized to the CDB the importance of efficiency and decarbonization measures in the stretch code. They highlighted that local governments frequently lack the resources to independently develop such policies.
Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss said,
“We rely on the expertise of the state to give us these model ordinances that will be feasible to allow us to achieve our objectives. We are willing to take that risk and prove out the concepts so that other communities can follow.”
Striking a Balance on the Electrification Debate
Differences in opinion and demand among individuals and groups have given rise to the need to balance out the situation. While some from the industry group support 100% electrification others argue for flexibility and affordability. They argue against provisions like the electric-ready requirement, citing potential high costs for homes and threats to energy affordability.
On the contrary, proponents of electrification, like RMI’s Chiu, dispute these claims. He stresses the importance of efficiency measures, such as incentivizing the installation of heat pumps.
However, whatever the outcome is, it must be economically and environmentally viable.
Climate experts emphasize the importance of prioritizing energy efficiency and sustainability. They favor promoting heat pumps and other innovative approaches to achieve climate objectives.
Noteworthy, this strategy aims to mitigate GHG emissions within the community by 60% before 2030. And finally, become net zero by 2050. This aligns closely with recommendations from leading climate scientists worldwide, intending to combat climate change.
The graph shows the total natural gas consumed in Illinois through 2022.
source: US Energy Information Administration
Despite these debates, the Illinois stretch code maintains the all-electric provision, pointing to a continued focus on promoting energy-efficient solutions. Stakeholders will be responsible for reconciling divergent interests while advancing towards a common goal of sustainable development.
Robert Coslow, administrator of professional services at the CDB and chair of the Illinois Energy Conservation Advisory Council has noted,
“The Illinois stretch code pushes builders to install heat pumps through incentives because they are proven to be the most efficient heating source on the market.”
Illinois has set an ambitious goal of achieving 100% clean energy by 2050. To address this, the state utility regulator is examining the future of the gas industry in light of CEJA. However, amidst this transition, there are divergent views on the best path forward.
The next update in 2025 mandated by CEJA will offer an opportunity to reassess contentious issues regarding the all-electric move. Let’s hope the decision paves the way toward a greener future for Illinois and the entire nation.
Disclaimer: The data is fetched from primary source S&P Global Market Intelligence.

Illinois
Illinois bill would strengthen protections for domestic violence survivors after murder of Jayden Perkins, 11

A measure just passed by Illinois state lawmakers could better protect domestic violence survivors in Illinois.
The Illinois Prisoner Review Board, which is responsible for letting prisoners out on parole, may soon have to undergo mandatory training on domestic violence.
This is in response to the murder of 11-year-old Jayden Perkins, who was stabbed to death while trying to protect his pregnant mother from an attack — allegedly by her ex-boyfriend who was just let out of jail.
After Jayden died, two members resigned by the Illinois Prisoner Review Board. His death is the reason why the board now has an executive director, but lawmakers and domestic violence victims knew they needed to fight for so much more.
Jayden died a hero — trying to save his mom, Laterria Smith, from her ex-boyfriend, Crosetti Brand, on March 13, 2024.
Prosecutors and police say Brand, who is now on trial in the case, went to Smith and her son’s home and stabbed her in the neck. When Jayden tried to intervene and protect his mother, Brand allegedly stabbed him in the chest.
Jayden’s death at his and his mom’s Edgewater neighborhood apartment should never have happened in the first place.
“It was really a failure in every part of the system in this case,” said Amanda Pyron, chief executive officer of The Network: Advocating Against Domestic Violence.
Pyron worked with the office of Gov. JB Pritzker and the Illinois Prisoner Review Board to the legislation.
Smith feared for her life and filed an order of protection against Brand. But the CBS News Chicago Investigators found critical information was not communicated to the Illinois Prisoner Review Board, so Brand was let out on parole.
The next day, Jayden was murdered.
“It doesn’t appear that they were checking for active orders of protection,” Pyron said. “It doesn’t appear that they were checking for pending orders of protection.”
The bill now on its way to Gov. Pritzker’s desk would:
- Require the Illinois Prisoner Review Board to run a “leads” report on someone up for parole, which contains criminal history, active orders of protection, and any such orders pending.
- Require the board to publish names of people who violate release terms within 60 days.
- Require the board to complete 20 hours of training for topics like domestic violence.
- Require seven board members to have at least five years’ experience in fields like law enforcement.
“It speaks to the need of appropriate procedures that include those voices, that respect those voices, that ensure the safety of survivors who are involved in the system,” said Illinois state Rep. Kelly Cassidy (D-Chicago).
Cassidy worked months with lawmakers and other activists to pass the bill.
While there is some relief, Cassidy said there is more work to be done for victims like Jayden and his family, with whom she plans to speak soon.
“I very much am looking forward to be getting a second to be able to share this good news,” Cassidy said.
Brand’s trial is ongoing, and he is representing himself.
Gov. Pritzker’s office said he is planning to sign the bill into law.
Illinois
Bears legend Brian Urlacher shares stance on trans athletes in girls' sports as issue rocks Illinois

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Former Chicago Bears star linebacker Brian Urlacher made his stance known on the issue of transgender athletes in women’s and girls’ sports as the debate creates a divide in the state where he made his reputation – Illinois.
Urlacher shared his opinion on the issue during an interview on the “Global View” podcast on May 9 and questioned why it is even a debate in some circles.
“Why is it even a debate? A woman is a woman and a man is a man… you’re born with what you’re born with,” Urlacher said.
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Jerome Bettis, #36 of the Pittsburgh Steelers, runs over Brian Urlacher, #54 of the Chicago Bears, for a touchdown on Dec. 11, 2005 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh. (Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Urlacher even referenced an ongoing controversy in Minnesota, where a transgender pitcher is currently dominating the girls’ softball season. The trans athlete reportedly won 14 straight games heading into the playoffs and earned first-team All-State honors rocked the state in recent weeks.
“It’s just different because we are men, there are certain things we do better than women, and it’s just, number one, it’s not fair, and if I had a daughter who had to be forced to play against a man I would not be okay with it and I would raise hell about it,” Urlacher said.
“I just don’t get it, it’s a common sense thing, I just don’t see how you can push this and make someone thing they’re a different sex.”
EX-VIKINGS PLAYER RIPS MINNESOTA AG AS STATE SUES TRUMP TO KEEP TRANS ATHLETES IN GIRLS’ SPORTS

Former Chicago Bears player Brian Urlacher is honored during halftime of a game between the Chicago Bears and the Seattle Seahawks at Soldier Field in Chicago on Sept. 17, 2018. (Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports)
The Pro Football Hall of Famer praised President Donald Trump for signing the “Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports” executive order at the White House on Feb. 5.
Illinois has become a hotbed of controversy over the issue of trans athlete inclusion in recent days after a biological male competed in a seventh-grade track meet against biological females at the Naper Prairie Conference Meet.
The incident resulted in a Naperville 203 Community School District Board meeting descending into a heated debate over the issue on Monday.
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Brian Urlacher is honored with a Ring of Excellence ceremony for his recent induction into the Hall of Fame at Soldier Field on Sep. 17, 2018 in Chicago. (Quinn Harris/Getty Images)
Awake Illinois has filed a civil rights complaint against the district, with the Education Department’s Office for Civil Rights alleging a violation of Title IX.
They called on federal funds to be withheld from the district, which it says receives between $8 million and $9 million in federal grants annually. The complaint is part of a broader effort by Awake Illinois, which previously filed similar Title IX complaints against other districts and the Illinois State Board of Education.
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Illinois
Several central Illinois counties are under a tornado watch. Here’s what to know

WATCH: Driver survives Kansas tornado from his car
Aden Basgall was stuck in his car during an EF2 tornado that tore through Grinnell, Kansas.
A tornado watch is in effect for much of central Illinois, with some counties under a tornado warning.
A tornado warning was issued for Sangamon and Menard counties. The warnings are set to expire at 3:15 p.m.
The following counties are under the watch: Bureau, Christian, Cumberland, Edgar, Fulton, Knox, Macon, McDonough, Morgan, Piatt, Schuyler, Tazewell, Woodford, Cass, Clark, DeWitt, Effingham, Henry, Livingston, Marshall, McLean, Moultrie, Putnam, Shelby, Vermilion, Champaign, Coles, Douglas, Ford, Iroquois, Logan, Mason, Peoria, Stark, and Warren.
As of 2:20 p.m., the watch is supposed to expire at 8 p.m. Tuesday.
Hazardous Weather Outlook
Many of the same counties are also under a Hazardous Weather Outlook.
Those counties are:
Knox, Stark, Peoria, Marshall, Woodford, Fulton, Tazewell, McLean, Schuyler, Mason, Logan, DeWitt, Piatt, Champaign, Vermilion, Cass, Menard, Scott, Morgan, Sangamon, Christian, Macon, Moultrie, Douglas, Coles, Edgar, Shelby, Cumberland, Clark, Effingham, Jasper, Crawford, Clay, Richland, and Lawrence.
Central Illinois radar
What does the outlook say for Tuesday?
Scattered thunderstorms will continue to develop on Tuesday afternoon and generally shift east across central Illinois through the early evening, according to the National Weather Service.
Some of these storms could be strong to severe. The storms may be capable of producing damaging wind gusts, hail over one inch, and isolated tornadoes.
Are storms expected on Wednesday?
NWS is not predicting hazardous weather for Wednesday or the rest of the week.
(This story has been updated to include new information.)
Tom Ackerman covers breaking news and trending news along with general news for the Springfield State Journal-Register. He can be reached at tackerman@gannett.com.
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