This last legislative session (96th General Assembly) affected code officials in many ways.

SB139 - Requires local governments without building codes to adopt building codes based on specified model codes.  Exempts municipalities over 500,000 and will apply beginning July 1, 2011. 

If you already have a code, this won't affect you.

SB149 - Amends the Elevator Safety and Regulation Act. 

If you have signed to continue hosting your own program, this WILL change things. 

Municipalities will be represented on the Elevator Safety Board for the first time. 

Defines a "Local Administrator" and provides that the local administrator may grant local variations which do not jeopardize the public safety. These variations will go to the Administrator for concurrence.  If there is not concurrence the Elevator Safety Review Board will decide. 

Removes specific dates for cylinder replacement.

HB3987 - Energy Efficiency Residential. 

Amends the Energy Efficient Commercial Building Act by including the construction of residential buildings into the Act.  Keeps the IECC definition of "residential buildings", but for municipalities having a population of over 1,000,000 the height is not exceeding 4 stories.

Exempts the following entities:

(1) A unit of local government, including home rule, that has on or before May 15, 2009 adopted energy standards that are equal or more stringent than the 2006 IECC. 

(2) A unit of government that has provided to the CDB on or before May 15, 2009 an identification as required by the Illinois Building Commission Act that they have an energy code or amendment that is equal to or more stringent than the 2006 IECC.

(3) A municipality with a population of over 1,000,000

NOTE: The state needs to adopt the IECC 2009 to meet the EECBG criteria for monies to the state.  THERE WILL BE LOCAL REPORTING REQUIREMENTS- as yet undefined.

HB3785 - Political Signs

Provides that a municipality may place "reasonable restrictions" on the size of outdoor political campaign signs located on private property.  Provides that no municipality may prohibit the display of campaign signs on private property during any period of time. 

This bill is probably dead for this session.