• Posted: February 27, 2023
• better communities, better construction, Chicago Building Commissioner, Chicago Code Modernization Program, Chicago Construction Codes, Chicago Department of Buildings (DOB), City of Chicago, Elbert Walters III, electrical code, electrical code initiatives, Electrical Contractors' Association of Chicago and Cook County, energy transformation code, Episode 3, IBEW Local 134, Matthew Beaudet, Safety, Solar, The Power of Better

 

In segment two of The Power of Better episode 3, Powering Chicago executive director and the show’s host, Elbert Walters III, sits down with the Chicago Department of Buildings (DOB) Commissioner, Matthew Beaudet to discuss new electrical code initiatives for the city.

Beaudet’s family history has helped to shape his relationship with IBEW Local 134 and the Electrical Contractors’ Association of City of Chicago (ECA). Growing up, Beaudet lived with his parents and five siblings in a two-bedroom apartment on the city’s northwest side.

His father, a World War II veteran, worked three, as Beaudet puts it, “dead-end jobs,” in order to provide for his family. Then, one day, everything changed.

“He got into the IBEW Local 134 apprenticeship program. It was a complete game-changer. I call it a generational blessing,” said Beaudet.

Today, Beaudet serves the city he grew up in as the Chicago Building Commissioner and works to enhance safety for residents and visitors by enforcing the Chicago Construction Codes.

Modernizing Chicago’s construction codes

In 2017, the city launched its code modernization program.

“Our codes were decades old. Our actual main building code was literally 70 years old. You can imagine the technology, the materials, the new processes, the best practices. Seven decades worth of that were not in our code,” said Beaudet.

Now, in 2023, that program is planned for completion. Additionally, Beaudet shared details on Chicago’s progress toward electrification in the episode.

“We just passed the Energy Transformation code in 2022. It shows that we have to have a greater emphasis on electrification. Some examples are new construction for single-family homes, or a small business has to be wired for electrical, even if they choose to use fossil fuel appliances because we know that’s the future,” said Beaudet.

Beaudet also shares how this electrical code will impact new construction in the area of solar power.

“The roofs of low-grade, low-rise commercial buildings all have to be built to have solar power. They don’t have to use solar power yet, but they have to be built for solar power,” said Beaudet.

Working together for a better community

These updated code initiatives aim to be flexible in order to benefit as many residents, business owners and contractors as possible in the city.

“You need to have a code that works in all 77 communities, that is an economic investment, but also allows them to maintain their houses. We want to be able to have a code that works for everybody,” said Beaudet.

In order for these code modernization initiatives to succeed, Beaudet says there has to be a team effort among the trades, contractors and stakeholders.

“What I want folks to know is that this is a partnership,” said Beaudet.

If you would like to learn more about the latest construction code updates under Beaudet’s leadership, check out episode 3 of The Power of Better. You can subscribe to Powering Chicago’s YouTube channel so you don’t miss out on any new episodes.