November 15, 2018

by:   Bill Ward, Executive Vice President, HBAI

The elections are over, the television ads are gone, and the holidays are here. But wait, the Illinois General Assembly uses this time to respond to Governor Rauner’s vetoes, and to take one last shot at passing new legislation during the lame duck session. Here are three bills the Home Builders Association of Illinois are working on for our industry. Veto Session will run through the end of November.

 SB1226 / House Amend. #2 – Green Building Standards Mandate

This language would subject all new construction to the Green Standards Code published by the International Code Council. While the code is for buildings over 4 stories in height, the language is being placed in the Energy Conservation Act that affects all new construction. HBAI is vehemently opposed to this measure being sponsored by Rep. Marty Moylan (D-Des Plaines) and is requesting House Labor Chair, Rep. Jay Hoffman (D-Collinsville) to hold the amendment from consideration.

SB241 / Senate Amend. #1 – Air Pollution Permit Notifications

State Senator Anthony Munoz (D-Chicago) passed an amendment out of the Senate Executive Committee that will require the Ill. EPA to notify State Senators, State Representatives, and the public when a Construction Permit for Air Pollution Sources is being considered in their districts. The legislators will receive a certified letter, and the public may obtain notification through the Ill. EPA website.

An asphalt plant received a permit within the Senator’s district and constituents are upset with its location.

HBAI took opposition to the amendment but is now in the process of reviewing an amendment generated by the Illinois Chamber of Commerce (Senate Amend. #2) that will address some business concerns.

HB4637 / Dissolution of Townships

HBAI supports legislation that would allow McHenry County voters in a single township to dissolve the township by petition and referendum. HB4637 is sponsored by Senator Terry Link (D-Waukegan) and support for the measure is being led by the Illinois Association of Realtors®.

Current law requires 10% of the voters in a county to petition the dissolution and a majority of voters in every township within a county must approve the dissolution.

HB4637 lowers the petition threshold to 5% with the township in question and narrows the referendum to the voters within the township.

The bill passed out of the Senate Executive Committee on a partisan roll call with Democrats favoring the measure and Republicans opposing. Opposition of the bill is limited to it being only for McHenry County, and not being a statewide requirement.

HBAI and the IAR believe this is a good first step and are asking for its passage.