A Win for Energy: Evanston Becomes First City to Adopt Stretch Codes | Policy Update: February 2025

Ryan Wilmington • February 28, 2025

With a first-of-its-kind sustainable building policy passed in Evanston, a green affordable housing proposal floated in Chicago, a new budget proposal in Springfield, a major new Illinois Climate Bank Program, and more, there hasn't been a dull moment so far in 2025.


In our latest February's Policy Update, we've been tracking these stories to keep building professionals in the loop.

Evanston Passes Stretch Codes, Continues Healthy Buildings Ordinance Discussion

Evanston – On February 24, Evanston became the first community in the state to adopt the Model Stretch Energy Codes after a unanimous vote from city council.   

 

“I’m proud of Evanston’s decision to adopt the Illinois Stretch Code. This will result in more energy efficient buildings, improved public health, and lower utility costs for Evanston residents,” said Evanston’s Mayor Daniel Biss. “It’s the right thing to do for climate action and for energy conservation, and I urge my colleagues in other municipalities to join us in taking this important step.” 

 

Here are 5 reasons why this is a green building win: 

 

  1. New residential buildings will be 50% more efficient and new commercial facilities will be 40% more efficient than the baseline and every three years these codes will be updated to meet even greater energy standards. 
  2. By being the first community in Illinois to adopt the stretch codes, Evanston is bringing one of the major initiatives from the nation-leading 2021 Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA) from concept to reality. 
  3. New homes built to the stretch code are projected to save $250 a year in utility costs and pay back their investment in 10-11 years.  
  4. If other cities follow Evanston’s lead, Illinois could see a green domino effect. If the stretch code was to be adopted across the state, Illinoisans would save a cumulative $1.97 billion and eliminate 14.5 million metric tons of CO2. 
  5. It demonstrates that, despite whatever is happening at the federal level, local leaders can take meaningful green action in their communities.   

 

These Stretch Codes will now apply for all Evanston new construction or major renovation projects permitted after October 1, 2025. 

 

Meanwhile, Evanston continued to work toward passing the Healthy Buildings Ordinance, which would target emissions in the city’s largest buildings. 

 

The proposal would set performance targets for commercial buildings larger than 20,000 sq.ft. and residential buildings larger than 50,000 sq.ft., the source of over 53% of Evanston’s greenhouse gas emissions. By 2050, these buildings would have to reach a maximum efficiency target, eliminate onsite greenhouse gas emissions, and achieve 100% renewable energy use, with 5-year performance targets leading to the final goals. 

 

Green building advocates, and other stakeholders showed up in numbers to continue the discussions from previous meetings and ensure that council members have the resources and input necessary.  

 

With the discussion running late into the night, Council members decided to table the vote to give time to work through small amendments that would clarify language and definitions as well as allow more members of the community to be educated on the proposal. The ordinance is set to be revisited in two weeks, on March 10th. 


Now, we need the green community’s support to help get this passed. 


If you’ve worked on an energy efficiency retrofit project, you can help us demonstrate the benefits by sharing case studies or articles about your work! We' re also looking for statements of support from building industry professionals who are eager to lend their voice. Reach out to Ryan Wilmington, Illinois Green's Policy Associate, with any questions, resources, or words of support we can share.  

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Green Policy Highlights

Green Social Housing Ordinance introduced to Chicago City Council

Last week, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson introduced an ordinance to build sustainable, mixed-income housing. The initiative, funded by a bond passed last year, would create a self-replenishing revolving loan fund to distribute construction loans to build city-owned, mixed-income, mid rise housing. To satisfy the ‘green’ requirements, these projects would have to meet the Chicago Sustainable Development Policy, Department of Housing Architecture Technical Standards, and any other rules to be developed later by the fund’s oversight board. 


Read more here - Chicago Tribune



What’s Green in Illinois’ New Budget Proposal

On February 19, Governor Pritzker specifically called out Illinois’ climate achievements in his “State of the State” address before releasing a 2025 budget proposal that aims to build on the state’s success to date. Some key programs surrounding the green building industry highlighted in his budget proposal include: 

  • $3 million from the federal Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) for Climate Pollution Reduction Grant planning; 
  • $9 million to the IEPA for the Energy Efficiency Grants and $2 million for Renewable Energy Grants; 
  • $350 million for the Energy Transition Assistance Fund, which enables a variety of clean jobs training programs; 
  • $1 million allocated to CEJA Workforce Training Hubs. 

 

Learn what other green programs are planned here - Illinois Environmental Council


Climate Bank launches Energy Efficiency Revolving Fund 

On February 19, the Illinois Climate Bank officially launched its Energy Efficiency Revolving Loan Fund, which will help provide the initial capital for efficiency and renewable energy projects. These types of projects can now access up to $1 million in low-interest loans to cover costs until Direct Pay or other incentives kick in. Nonprofits, public buildings, commercial facilities, and multifamily buildings with more than 5 units can qualify for this loan.  

 

Learn more about the Energy Efficiency Revolving Fund and other green financing tools at the Building Energy Resource Hub!

In Other Sustainability News

Chicago and Illinois Remain Committed to Achieving Climate Goals Despite Threats to Federal Funding.
Read more - Inside Climate News


State regulators clamp down on Peoples Gas pipeline replacement program.
Read more – Chicago Sun Times 

 

How EPA rollbacks will cost us dollars and lives.

Read more - NRDC 

 

State official: renewable investments ‘best thing’ to lower energy costs
Read more - Crain's Chicago Business

 

A new report shows that solar, battery storage, and wind projects can be built far more quickly than gas.

Read more – RTO Insider 

Illinois Green's Impact Over the Last 5 Years

By Ryan Wilmington • January 23, 2026
Five years ago, Illinois Green Alliance launched a new strategic plan with a bold north star to guide our work: to make net zero buildings feasible, affordable, and so commonplace that every building in Illinois was net zero by 2050. Mainstreaming the technology and building methods, whether new or existing, is no easy feat. But we realized no one was better positioned to make it happen than green building professionals.Our focus over the last five years have been about laying the foundation necessary to meet our long-term vision and I’m excited to share the progress we’ve made. These past five years have been guided by three pillars: ● Educating industry professionals to ensure they have the expertise to use net zero building methods in their work and can help us raise awareness about their value with building owners and policy makers. ● Removing barriers by providing information about the technical, financial, social and policy roadblocks to net zero adoption and passing new laws that help to overcome these barriers. ● Demonstrating it can work everywhere by collaborating with building types in historically underinvested communities that are considered difficult to implement net zero methods. That focus has paid off, allowing us to meet many of the goals we set for our work across all of our strategies. For example:

The New Momentum for Green Building Policy

By Ryan Wilmington • January 16, 2026
At the start of 2025, I told our members that we can build a movement of green building advocates that can continue the progress made in Illinois for high-performance building, regardless of what happens in Washington D.C. Over the last year, you’ve proven me right. While elsewhere green building and clean energy goals have been put on pause, Illinois has continued the fight and won three huge victories that usher in historic investment in clean energy and green buildings and raise the bar for building performance, completely changing the landscape for what is possible in this industry. 

Why We're Attending the 2026 Green Schools Conference

By Twyla Neely-Streit • December 16, 2025
he mission of the Illinois Green Schools Project (IGSP)—our year-long school sustainability action and recognition program--is to empower educators, school administrators, students, and school communities to create healthy, sustainable learning environments. This work requires passion, collaboration, and informed support, and as an IGSP program coordinator, I’m always on the lookout for opportunities that help schools build the knowledge and connections needed to drive meaningful, lasting change in their buildings and districts. The Green Schools Conference has long been one of the most impactful gatherings in this space. Its focus on the intersection of environmental health, sustainability, and education makes it a uniquely valuable event for anyone working to make schools healthier and greener places for students to learn and grow. From educators, administrators, and district representatives to facilities managers, students, and community organizations, the Green Schools Conference is a powerful space to learn, collaborate, and fuel your next big idea. This year’s conference promises a rich lineup of workshops, education sessions, and networking and recognition events that speak to the needs and realities of today’s school sustainability landscape. Districts across Illinois are navigating shrinking budgets, aging infrastructure, and a newly passed state-wide law requiring the inclusion of climate education in public school curriculum starting in 2026. Therefore, I’m particularly excited to see sessions on the agenda exploring climate action and resilience planning, opportunities to connect students to sustainability career pathways, and environmental literacy in classrooms. These conversations are essential as programs like the Illinois Green Schools Project continue evolving to support schools in setting goals, tracking progress, and engaging diverse communities in sustainability work. If you’re considering attending this year, I encourage you to take a look at the agenda and explore the sessions that could support your school or organization’s goals. You’ll find no shortage of practical insights, creative ideas, and meaningful connections. I know those who attend will come away with the same clarity, inspiration, and sense of comradery that have made past conferences so influential for myself and others in the Illinois school sustainability community.
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