top of page
GUIDING PRINCIPLES

AIA Illinois is guided by duty and honor to serve our members, their clients and our communities at large. As the voice of the architecture profession in Illinois, AIA Illinois provides a nonpartisan perspective to assist in the development of partnerships and good public policy. We recognize the diversity of communities and interests within the state, but seek to find common ground to achieve better, safer communities while maximizing our public investments. 

​

We develop or support specific legislative positions based on these transparent and permanent principles.

Licensing

The Illinois Architecture Practice Act was the first of its kind in the United States. It continues to serve as a model for state practice regulations even today. From time to time, this Act has to be updated to keep it relevant to current professional and practical realities. The architects of AIA Illinois endeavor to collaborate with the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation and the Illinois Architects Licensing Board to administer the Act and uphold its principles.

​

  • The health, safety and welfare of the public as impacted by the built environment are the first priorities of practicing architects.

  • The profession of architecture requires a regulating body which must be responsible for upholding the requirements of the Illinois Architectural Practice Act. Among the functions of this body must be a process for hearing and evaluating reports of unqualified practice or violations abuse and misuse of architectural practice.

  • AIA Illinois generally supports the policies of NCARB as well as the Architectural Experience Program and AXP as essential to the preparation of interns seeking to practice as licensed architects in the future.

  • Policies that support Continuing Education encourage and enable architects to sustain and expand the knowledge base that perpetually advances the practice of architecture.

  • Eligibility to begin the Architectural Registration Exam (ARE) upon obtaining an accredited agree from a National Architectural Accreditation Board (NAAB) program and enrollment in an Architectural Experience Program or AXP is important and reasonable.

Building Codes and Standards

Building codes set a minimum acceptable level of safety and performance to protect public health, safety and welfare. Regulated components of building construction and occupancy include requirements for structure, egress and fire safety, accessibility, mechanical, electrical, plumbing and energy conservation. To create this integrity, architects, engineers and builders depend on established building codes—accepted industry standards, practices and methods—to guide them in their work. Beyond the minimum requirements, there are examples of government bodies and design practitioners adopting aspirational guidelines to affect a higher quality of life through the expectations they place on all building projects.

Building Safety

AIA Illinois supports the adoption of model codes to ensure building safety and timely review and revision to account for changing needs, advances in building methods and available technology.

Higher Standards

AIA Illinois believes that our codes and standards should support, encourage and provide leadership in high performance buildings, the efficient use of our energy resources, and sustainable community design. AIA Illinois believes that we need to encourage the expanded accessibility of buildings to provide for people with disabilities and the aging population.

Clarity and Consistency

AIA Illinois advocates for comprehensive, coordinated, contemporary and consistent building codes and standards throughout the State of Illinois, and therefore, endorses the conclusions of the Illinois Task Force on Uniform Building Codes that overwhelmingly recommended that the General Assembly adopt a uniform, comprehensive, statewide code.

bottom of page