Springfield City Council members turned down a proposal that would have adopted a 2012 Illinois energy conservation law regarding home construction.
Mayor Mike Houston and other council members came to that conclusion after consulting Springfield corporation council as well as the Springfield Area Home Builders Association. The city council voted 3-7, choosing not to adopt the law. Houston says after consulting with corporation counsel and SHBA, this step makes the city less likely to be liable to legal action with problems regarding code violations.
The law makes several revisions to a 2009 conservation law, which opponents believe would cost the city more money through stricter regulations. It is still required that contractors follow state law but Springfield inspectors will not enforce it as the state does not have statewide inspectors enforcing these codes. Therefore, it is up to the builders to act ethically. Also, it is on the shoulders home buyers and sellers to make sure the house is up to code.
However, this is not a done deal. The possible city amendment remains in committee for further debate.
(Posted 8:44 pm 03/19/13 by Ted Maguire, updated at 4:43 a.m. 03/20/13 by Alex Degman)