Area constituents are encouraged to join Sen. Althoff for a teletownhall meeting on Tuesday, January 31.

To participate, individuals can call 877-229-8493, pin code 15277. The teletownhall will begin at about 6:25 pm and last for approximately one hour.

During the over-the-phone meeting, Althoff will provide updates on the latest Illinois budget developments, including a reaction to the Governor’s State-of-the-State address being given earlier that day. In addition, callers will have the opportunity to participate in polls on various issues facing Illinois.

“In the past, we’ve been able to reach thousands of area residents with through teletownhalls,” Althoff said. “This is a great opportunity for constituents who are concerned about what’s going on in state government to stay informed and get a detailed update on the issues impacting our communities and families.”

On Saturday, Feb. 25, McHenry County College will be hosting the 20th Annual Natural Landscaping Seminar, presented by the Wildflower Preservation and Propagation Committee. This year's seminar, "Tending the Earth," features numerous speakers on soil, landscaping, ecology and other topics.

Click here for a PDF of the event's flyer for more information.

The State Energy Office has released its 2012 schedule for the Illinois Energy Conservation Code (IECC) training series aimed at the state's construction industry.  These training events will be offered at no cost to Illinois investor-owned utility customers and will allow homebuilders, designers, code officials, realtors, and home performance professionals to learn about the most up-to-date energy conservation codes for new construction, additions and renovation projects in Illinois.

“This training series will help construction industry and homebuilding professionals stay up-to-date on state rules and regulations guiding the industry, allowing them to better serve their customers while adhering to the highest standards in building construction and renovation,” said Illinois Energy Office Deputy Director Jonathan Feipel.

The State Energy Office at DCEO expects to offer 20 training events in 2012 at community colleges across the state, resulting in more than1,000 construction professionals receiving training on how key provisions of the 2012 Illinois Energy Conservation Code and ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2010 will affect their work.

The first session kicks off January 19, 2012, at McHenry County College in Crystal Lake, Illinois. A complete session schedule is available at www.ildceo.net/energycode.

The trainings are being offered until May 31, 2012 in partnership with the Illinois Green Economy Network (IGEN), a collaborative of all 39 Illinois community college districts and 48 campuses that work with Illinois businesses and local communities to grow the green economy.  Trainings will be delivered by instructors from International Energy Conservation Consultants, LLC (IECC LLC).

“We are excited to be part of this project,” said Darren Meyers, President of IECC LLC. “We have learned quite a bit in seven years implementing an energy code for Illinois, and we plan to share those experiences, as well as lessons learned from a recently completed Illinois code compliance study, in an applications-based learning environment.”

The Illinois Energy Conservation Code establishes standards for energy efficiency in new construction and renovation projects.  The training sessions will cover on-the-job applications of the IECC and critical concepts for code officials, design professionals, homebuilders and remodeling specialists preparing their businesses for the 2012 IECC platform.  

Participants are eligible for continuing education units from the AIA, ASHRAE, the Illinois Chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council, International Code Council, and the Building Performance Institute.

By implementing the 2009 IECC and Standard 90.1-2007 statewide, Illinois businesses and homeowners will have collectively saved an estimated $154 million annually by 2020, and will save $307 million annually in energy costs (2006 prices) by 2030. Anticipated annual energy savings for Illinois homeowners attributable to the 2012 IECC range from $397 to $424 per year per household.  

More information about the programs and services of the State Energy Office is available at www.illinoisenergy.org.  

The State Energy Office has released its 2012 schedule for the Illinois Energy Conservation Code (IECC) training series aimed at the state's construction industry.  These training events will be offered at no cost to Illinois investor-owned utility customers and will allow homebuilders, designers, code officials, realtors, and home performance professionals to learn about the most up-to-date energy conservation codes for new construction, additions and renovation projects in Illinois.

“This training series will help construction industry and homebuilding professionals stay up-to-date on state rules and regulations guiding the industry, allowing them to better serve their customers while adhering to the highest standards in building construction and renovation,” said Illinois Energy Office Deputy Director Jonathan Feipel.

The State Energy Office at DCEO expects to offer 20 training events in 2012 at community colleges across the state, resulting in more than1,000 construction professionals receiving training on how key provisions of the 2012 Illinois Energy Conservation Code and ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2010 will affect their work.

The first session kicks off January 19, 2012, at McHenry County College in Crystal Lake, Illinois. A complete session schedule is available at www.ildceo.net/energycode.

The trainings are being offered until May 31, 2012 in partnership with the Illinois Green Economy Network (IGEN), a collaborative of all 39 Illinois community college districts and 48 campuses that work with Illinois businesses and local communities to grow the green economy.  Trainings will be delivered by instructors from International Energy Conservation Consultants, LLC (IECC LLC).

“We are excited to be part of this project,” said Darren Meyers, President of IECC LLC. “We have learned quite a bit in seven years implementing an energy code for Illinois, and we plan to share those experiences, as well as lessons learned from a recently completed Illinois code compliance study, in an applications-based learning environment.”

The Illinois Energy Conservation Code establishes standards for energy efficiency in new construction and renovation projects.  The training sessions will cover on-the-job applications of the IECC and critical concepts for code officials, design professionals, homebuilders and remodeling specialists preparing their businesses for the 2012 IECC platform.  

Participants are eligible for continuing education units from the AIA, ASHRAE, the Illinois Chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council, International Code Council, and the Building Performance Institute.

By implementing the 2009 IECC and Standard 90.1-2007 statewide, Illinois businesses and homeowners will have collectively saved an estimated $154 million annually by 2020, and will save $307 million annually in energy costs (2006 prices) by 2030. Anticipated annual energy savings for Illinois homeowners attributable to the 2012 IECC range from $397 to $424 per year per household.  

More information about the programs and services of the State Energy Office is available at www.illinoisenergy.org.