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State Legislation & Policy
2008 legislation
Energy Efficient Building Code–
HB 1842 Senate Ammendment #3 or
SB 526 Amendment #4
Status: SB 526 Passed the House by vote of 109-5, but got stuck in the Senate.
HB1842 passed the Senate by vote of 55-0, but got stuck in the House. The explanation for why the bills “got stuck” is below.
Summary of bill: Illinois would follow 42 other states in requiring the use of a statewide energy efficient building code in construction of new homes. Under the code, there would be a small upfront cost for better insulation, furnace and/or windows, but there would be immediate savings in lower utility bills and less energy use. Currently, there are 1,000 municipalities in Illinois using different building codes, while the energy efficient building code for commercial buildings and high-rise apartments I sponsored two years ago is in use.
Fact Sheets
Background: After 5 years working on an energy efficient building code for new residential buildings (we passed a law for commercial buildings in 2004); this year we struck a groundbreaking compromise with the Homebuilders Association. Both SB526 and HB1842 incorporated that compromise and the legislation was slated to pass this year.
The compromise with the Homebuilders Association is to make the International Energy Conservation Code the energy efficiency building code throughout Illinois. This means that, except in those municipalities grandfathered in because they already have adopted an energy efficiency code, no municipality could adopt a more or less stringent code related to energy efficiency. Homebuilders would be able to learn one code and use it for all new homes.
Why the legislation got stuck. Both SB 526 and HB1842 require the Capital Development Board to issue rules – that’s the way the energy efficiency code for commercial buildings brought together stakeholders (architects, developers, builders, etc)
Rich Miller of “Capitol Fax” describes the problem with rule-making this year:
“Dozens of bills have been caught up in an inter-chamber feud over an amendment insisted upon by House Speaker Michael Madigan. Madigan, you will recall, demanded that an amendment be added to several bills prohibiting the administration from promulgating any administrative rules on its own. Instead, all rules would have to be brought to the General Assembly in bill form. Madigan issued his proclamation after Gov. Rod Blagojevich proclaimed the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules to be merely an advisory board without any real teeth, despite the fact that Blagojevich signed a law that greatly strengthened JCAR's clout. That issue is now in court, and Madigan isn't taking any chances. Most of the amended bills are sitting in legislative limbo while the two chambers decide how to proceed.
The JCAR fight contributed to one of the least productive legislative sessions in memory. Just 283 bills passed both chambers and are heading to the governor's desk. That compares to last year's total of 750 bills which made it through both the House and Senate.”
Some sponsors just shrugged their shoulders and figured they'll deal with the issue of their stuck bills either in the veto session or next year, when the General Assembly begins anew.
Illinois Clean Car Act – HB 3424
Status: Placed on House calendar for second reading
This legislation has become a key focus in 2008, after a recent federal court ruling that allows states to regulate vehicle global warming pollution.
Research shows that motor vehicles are responsible for almost a quarter of annual U.S. emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2), the primary global-warming gas. HB 3424 is modeled after legislation in 20 states, with California leading the way to require carmakers to reduce global warming emissions from new passenger cars and light trucks. While California’s law has been held up in the courts, a recent federal court ruling held that states can regulate vehicle global warming pollution.
HB 3424 passed the House Environmental Health Committee in the spring of 2007, but no other action was taken
Electronic Products Recycling and Reuse Act (E-Waste Act)- SB 2313
Status: Passed the Senate by a vote of 52-0-2; passed the House by a vote of 74-38-1. The motion to concur with House Amendment #2 is pending in the Senate – expected to be called in November veto session.
E-Waste is a fast growing burden on our environment. This bill would set statewide goals for the recycling and reuse of old electronic devices. Ultimately resulting in a ban of burning or dumping devices in landfills by 2012.
2007
The Governor has convened the Illinois Climate Change Advisory Group, with a report expected. Five subgroups are working on specific policies for the state, with 24 recommendations being debated. Click the above link to the Illinois EPA website for ongoing deliberations.
Illinois Power Agency Act (Public Act 95-481).
The 200-page law (1) provides $1 billion in rate relief for homeowners whose utility bills increased after the 10-year rate freeze expired; (2) replaces the “auction” process that was used by the utilities for buying energy, with a new state agency, the Illinois Power Agency, which will oversee a competitive power procurement process in the future; (3) enacts a Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard, one of the most aggressive in country, which will require utilities to use renewable energy for 25 percent of their electricity needs by 2025 – wind energy will be 75% of the portfolio, (4) enacts an Energy Efficiency Portfolio Standard to require utilities to achieve incremental annual energy savings goals, beginning immediately and up to 2% by 2015.
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District 18 Action
Evanston and Wilmette have both signed the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement, pledging to reduce emissions by 7% below 1990 levels by the year 2012 – the same goal as if the U.S had ratified the Kyoto Protocol.
Evanston
Climate Change Action Plan
Click to visit the Evanston Office of Sustainability website with more information about the Climate Action Plan. Get involved!
Network for Evanston's Future
If you want to take action and make change, The Network for Evanston's Future is the place for you. A grassroots, volunteer umbrella organization, the network is comprised of 5 groups that work on issues like affordable housing, public transportation, local foods and of course sustainability. The list of things they are working on is too long to mention. Check out their website.
Zerofootprint Evanston
The Evanston Community Foundation has provided a grant of $5,000 to the Office of Sustainability to work in partnership with Zerofootprint Toronto to create a zero footprint calculator for Evanston. This interactive website will allow you measure, evaluate and reduce your carbon footprint and then post what you have done inspiring others to do the same.
Jewish Reconstructionist Congregation
The U.S. Green Building Council awarded The Jewish Reconstructionist Congregation with the first Platinum LEED rating for a synagogue in the U.S. The new JRC building serves as a model in new construction with reduced energy costs of about 45% less than a typical synagogue of the same size. Click to learn more.
Wilmette
Go Green Wilmette
This volunteer run organization began as a Commission for the Village of Wilmette, but has since expanded to include community education and grass roots non partisan activism. Visit the Go Green Wilmette website to sign up for their newsletter, learn about how you can get involved and volunteer, tips on how to reduce your carbon footprint and a schedule of a variety of events related to sustainable living.
Northwestern University
For the past four years, Engineers for a Sustainable World at Northwestern University have been sponsoring an Energy Day. This years event was held on April 26th entitled "The Future of Sustainability". Visit their website to learn about a truly interdisciplinary approach to sustainable living. |
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