| Location | via webinar |
AIA CREDIT: No
ABSTRACT:
An update from the Commissioner of the Chicago Department of Buildings (DOB) on the processes currently in place for permitting and inspections under the State of Illinois and City of Chicago Shelter in Place order.
Pursuant to the Shelter in Place order, construction is deemed an essential infrastructure exception. Construction projects may continue as long as management and workers comply with social distancing requirements, which include maintaining at least six-foot social distancing from other individuals, washing hands with soap and water for at least twenty seconds as frequently as possible or using hand sanitizer, cover coughs or sneezes (into the sleeve or elbow, not hands), regularly cleaning high-touch surfaces, and not shaking hands. Many construction projects have implemented more stringent infection control measures, and if so, those should continue as well.
The DOB will continue to process permits and make themselves available to answer questions and assist you in any way possible.
A heartfelt thank you to all our tradespeople for their tremendous dedication and service in keeping our nation moving forward in these unprecedented and challenging times.
Again, for the most up-to-date information on the city's response to COVID-19, please visit www.chicago.gov/coronavirus, where you can also sign up for regular email updates.
PRESENTER BIO:
Judy Frydland serves as the Commissioner of the Department of Buildings for the City of Chicago.
The Department of Buildings is a 295‐person department with an annual budget of $37 million. The DOB enhances safety and quality of life for residents and visitors of the City of Chicago through permitting, inspections, trade licensing, and enforcement of the Chicago Building Code.
Since Commissioner Frydland’s appointment in 2015, the Department has implemented multiple reforms that have streamlined the permit process for all building projects, from single-family home renovations to large-scale developments, making it quicker and more efficient to obtain a permit than ever before. In 2017, the Building Department issued a record 48,408 permits and the pace has continued. Under her leadership, the Department is modernizing City code to align with national and international standards, while maintaining parts of the existing code that are adapted to Chicago’s environment and urban density. In 2017 Chicago became one of the first major cities to align with the National Electrical Code. In 2019 the city adopted the first full rewrite of the Chicago Building Code in 70 years, making Chicago one of the first major jurisdictions in the U.S. to align with the 2018 International Building Code.
Prior to joining the Department of Buildings, Ms. Frydland spent 25 years in the Chicago Law Department working with various city departments, community groups and other stakeholders on the enforcement of building code, municipal health and business license regulations. In her role as Deputy Corporation Counsel for Building and Licensing Enforcement, Ms. Frydland enforced the city’s vacant building ordinance and implemented strategies aimed to preserve the city’s housing stock, closed down and revoked licenses for problem businesses engaging in criminal activity, actively preserved occupied residential buildings through circuit court litigation and city programs, aggressively prosecuted illegal signs and dangerous and hazardous rooftop water tanks, as well as enforced the Life Safety Evaluation (LSE) requirements for pre-1975 high-rise buildings.
Commissioner Frydland is the recipient of the 2018 “Labor Person of the Year” award from IBEW Local 134, 2018 “Building Industry Woman of the Year in Construction” award from the Home Builders Association of Greater Chicago, 2019 “Outstanding Community Partner Award” from the Community Investment Corporation, “Mark Satter Visionary Award” from the Cook County Land Bank, 2019 “Code Official of the Year” award from the International Code Council and 2019 "Community Service Award" from Rebuilding Together Metro Chicago.
Ms. Frydland graduated from I.I.T. Chicago Kent College of Law, was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 1990 and is a current member of the Chicago Bar Association. Ms. Frydland earned her law degree while working as a social worker and assistant administrator in a nursing home. Ms. Frydland also has a Master’s Degree in Community Health Care Planning and Administration.
WEBINAR LINK REQUEST:
For BEC Chicago members, an invite will be sent out in advance of event. For non-BEC Chicago members interested in attending, you may contact Jeff Diqui at jdiqui@imiweb.org to request an invite.
