Mayor Emanuel Proposes Streamlined And Progressive Building Code Enforcement

Pushing forward reforms for centralized building code enforcement procedures first planned after Chicago firefighter Daniel Capuano died in 2015, falling down an unpermitted elevator shaft while fighting a smoky fire in a building under construction, Mayor Emanuel proposes a centralized process for progressive discipline of builders violating Chicago building code provisions. The first offense would result in a hold on all building permit applications involving the offending contractor until the violation was corrected. Second offenses would result in suspension of the offending contractor’s license, and a third violation would cause the contractor’s license to be revoked.

The proposed ordinance revisions will come before the City Council next month.