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Illinois Stretch Code Overview & Guides

The Illinois Stretch Energy Codes are high-performance building codes available for cities across the state to adopt.

Introduction

As an initiative of the 2021 Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA), Illinois worked with energy efficiency experts and stakeholders to develop the Residential and Commercial Stretch Energy Codes.

Stretch Codes are alternative codes that municipalities can adopt in place of the base code. These codes set higher energy efficiency targets and require readiness for future installation of electric technologies—while offering multiple avenues to meet the new requirements. Stretch codes provide numerous benefits, including allowing municipalities to increase energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions in their jurisdictions without undergoing a long, difficult process of developing their own code and maintaining consistent standards across the state.

Who this Guide is for

This purpose of this Guide is to familiarize building officials, plans examiners, inspectors, design professionals, contractors, raters and others in the construction industry with the amendments to the 2024 IECC that comprise the 2023 Illinois Commercial and Residential Stretch Energy Codes. This Guide is arranged to follow the general layout of the IECC, grouping changes by compliance path.