Green Buildings 101

Understand Buildings and Their Impact

While Illinois has made major strides in advancing building sustainability, there is more work to be done to reduce building emissions and costs, improve efficiency, and ensure healthier communities. To protect against these risks, we're here to educate policymakers, building professionals, and the public on the impact that buildings have and how investing in clean, efficient buildings can transform communities across the state. 

Buildings and Affordability

Illinois residents are increasingly being burdened by energy bills. Both the methane gas and electric systems are raising costs for consumers for a variety of reasons including infrastructure replacement programs, fuel price spikes, and increased demand.

  • Gas costs for Illinois ratepayers have grown by $1.5 billion over the last decade, a 100% increase. These costs are projected to double again over the next decade.
  • Electric rates have recently increased by around 50% across the state.

Buildings and Public Health

Fossil fuels in buildings are directly tied to major health risks for families across Illinois. Research shows that over 21% of childhood asthma cases and other serious illnesses like Lukemia are attributable to methane gas appliances. 


People spend over 90% of their time indoors — we need to ensure that the places where we spend most of our lives aren't putting our health at risk.

Buildings and Energy Efficiency

When residents, businesses, and government invest in efficiency, they save money and build value. Research shows that every $1 invested in these solutions yeilds a 150 - 400% return.


High performance technology like heat pumps and induction appliances are 2-4 times more efficient than their fossil fuel counterparts. Other technology like smart thermostats, LED lighting, and efficient insulation and windows help lower a building's energy demand. Together, these solutions create more efficient, affordable, and healthy homes and businesses.

Buildings and Climate Change

In Illinois, buildings contribute to 30% of statewide direct emissions. However, that doesn't tell the full story. Buildings are also responsible for 73% of electricity use in Illinois. When you take that into account, buildings become the number one contributor to emissions across the state.


There is simply no way to address climate change without clean buildings. 

Green Jobs

Green jobs have been growing rapidly across the state with almost 130,000 people working in the industry. These are good paying, skilled roles in HVAC installation, grid modernaization, solar installation, and more.

  • The green jobs industry grew eight times faster than Illinois' overall economy.
  • 72% of the workers in this sector are employed by small businesses.
  • 14 clean jobs training hubs are opening across the state through the landmark Climate and Equitable Jobs Act

Explore Clean Building Resources
for your Community

Explore programs, incentives, and policies that can support clean, affordable, and resilient communities and the pathway for delivering them.