1.  Support the Statewide adoption of the family of Building Codes as promulgated by the International Code Council, the I Codes.

2.  Support legislation that would allow local jurisdictions to review construction documents and inspect site construction in the local public school buildings.

3.  Support the Fire Inspectors, member of ICCA, for tighter restrictions on fireworks as proposed by the Illinois Fire Alliance.

4.  Monitor and comment on proposed rules changes for the amendment to the Roofing Contractors Licensing Act passed last year.

5.  Monitor proposed rules for the Home Inspector's Licensing Act.

6.  Support the introduction of legislation to make it easier for the public to obtain a list of enjoined contractors from the Attorney General's Office.

7.  Support initiative to require telephone utilities to notify local jurisdictions of pending disruption of phone connected alarm circuits to that jurisdiction.

8.  Continue to monitor legislation as it unfolds during the legislative season.

 See what's being proposed in Springfield that would affect the way we do our jobs. 

Public Act 92-0338-The Illinois Plumbing Licensing Law was amended to allow for the State Registration of Plumbing Contractors. This law precludes local jurisdictions from collecting a fee to register plumbing contractors even though local levels of government would still have to administer and manage paperwork for plumbing contractors. The Bond and Certificate of Insurance will be held by the State, the local jurisdiction can request a copy. It is still unclear how Certificates of Insurance naming local units of government as additionally insured will play out. The requirements of this Act could open local jurisdictions to large liabilities and potential legal expenses.

SB 1674-Fire Pumps-The IEPA has backed off on this issue and will now support the language found in the Illinois State Plumbing Code the Specifically exempts fire pumps from shutting down if significant water pressure is lost.

 HB 5780-School Construction Act-This legislation was proposed to allow local jurisdictions to review construction documents and perform inspection in public schools, if they so wish. It was amended to permit the regional superintendent of the school district to request assistance from the local jurisdiction to review construction documents and perform inspections, if he so wishes. It was further amended to stipulate that the local jurisdiction would honor the request only if it could accommodate the request. 

SB 1797-Energy Efficiency Building Act-The proposed legislation creates a shell for the Energy Efficiency Building Act.

HB 4123-Elderly Home Repair Act-Lowers the threshold from $1000.00 to $500.00 for certain contract requirements.

SB 967-Electricians Licensing Act-This is the same legislation that has been proposed for the last 7 years.  This bill lacks continuing education requirements, excludes electrical inspectors and only requires a $5000.00 performance bond as part of its shortcomings.

 LEGISLATIVE UPDATE:

·        The Illinois Building Commission is waiting for the Environmental Law and Policy Center to set dates for meetings to discuss a statewide energy code;

·        After completely eliminating Regional Superintendents of Schools from his original budget, the Governor  restored less than half of their funding and called for the consolidation of the majority of their offices by 2005;

·        HB 495 – school inspection bill.  An agreed amendment was finally worked out between ICCA, the architects and the school administrators. This amendment passed the Senate and had to be sent back to the House for final approval.  At this point, Speaker Madigan took the language from HB 495 and attached it to SB 759, which deals with fire safety codes in college dorms.   His reasoning is that it would be easier to pass with HB 495 attached.  The measure did make it through the House at 10:00 p.m. the last night of session and we are working to get it moved in the Senate during the November veto session. 

·        I recently spoke at the June meeting of the IL Fire Inspectors Association.  Joining me was Rep. Robert Rita (D-Blue Island).  He is working on getting the Governor to come to his district for the bill signing of HB 2489 (emergency phone line notification).  If you have not already done so, please call Brad Tusk, the Deputy Governor (312) 814-2769 and leave a message that HB 2489 is an important public safety issue and you would like the Governor to sign the bill in Rep. Rita’s district.

The measures outlined below have passed both Chambers and have either been signed by the Governor or are awaiting his signature.    

HB 116 FALSE FIRE ALARMS sponsored by Rep. Smith (D-Canton). This measure would allow townships and fire protection districts to impose civil penalties on individuals who repeatedly cause false fire alarms.

STATUS: SENT TO GOVERNOR

*HB 123 PROHIBITION OF PREMPTION DEVICE sponsored by Rep. Tom Holbrook (D-Belleville).  Prohibits the sale or installation of a traffic control signal preemption device in a vehicle except for emergency vehicles.  Creates fines of $5000 for manufactures and retailers per incident and fines of $1000 for procession in a vehicle.

STATUS: SENT TO GOVERNOR

HB 298 – ABANDONED VEHICLES sponsored by Rep. Raymond Poe (R-Springfield).  Provides that the owner (rather than the driver) of a vehicle is responsible for paying fines and costs related to an abandon vehicle.

STATUS: SENT TO GOVERNOR

HB 362 – CDB-ENERGY CODE sponsored by Rep. Phil Novak (D-Kankakee).  Requires the Capital Development Board to adopt an energy code for construction or repair of state funded facilities.

STATUS: SENT TO GOVERNOR 

HB 1194 – FIRE CODE MAINTENANCE sponsored by Rep. Rep. Mike Boland (D-East Moline).  Provides that premise owners owes a reasonable duty of care to fire fighters and inspectors to maintain the premises in accordance with fire safety and building codes. This applies to fire inspections and investigations as well as fire fighting.

STATUS: SENT TO GOVERNOR

HB 1482 –PYROTECNIC DISPLAYERS LICENSE sponsored by Rep. Tim Schmitz (R-Batavia).   This measure licenses both indoor and outdoor pyrotechnic displayers through the OSFM. Requires local permits to be issued only for displays meeting NFPA standards and requires the local fire chief to sign off on all permit requests. 

STATUS: SENT TO GOVERNOR

*HB 2489 – EMEGENCY PHONE LINES NOTIFICATION sponsored by Rep. Robert Rita (D-Blue Island).  Requires telecommunications companies to provide 20 days notice to local authorities prior to the disconnection of an emergency phone or fire line.

STATUS: SENT TO GOVERNOR

*ICCA INITATIVE