Dear Industry Partners:

At the Department of Buildings, we continue the important work of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the delivery of city services. We do this year-round as we strategize on how to reach Chicago residents who have historically seen disinvestment and inequality.

We are also proud to recognize industry partners that focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion, and earlier this month I was happy to participate in the Equity in Architecture + Youth Education: Volunteer Fair and Mixer. The event, sponsored by I-NOMA, AIA Chicago, and the AIA Chicago Foundation, provided students and professionals the opportunity to learn about organizations and initiatives working to make architecture accessible to underserved minority K-12 students.

The department is also busy with a new permit program, staff retirements and new hiring. We are thrilled to share all the details, which can be found in this newsletter. 

Happy Pride Month! I hope you all have a wonderful and safe summer! 

Sincerely,
Matt Beaudet
Commissioner

New Online Express Permit Program – Coming in August

DOB is excited to announce that we’re putting finishing touches on the new online Express Permit Program, in partnership with the City’s Department of Assets, Information and Services (AIS). Scheduled to launch in early August, the Express Permit Program will replace the Easy Permit Process and “short form” permits for plumbing and HVAC work.

The Express Permit Program will provide applicants with the flexibility to save and track their permit applications, upload documents and photos, make secure online payments, and print the permit certificate from any internet-connected device 24/7.

Please make sure you’re subscribed to our electronic newsletter to receive the latest updates.

We Are Hiring!

To continue our mission to promote building safety for all Chicago residents, we are excited to share that, since April, we have onboarded seven new inspectors and one new project manager, with two inspectors and one project manager scheduled to start in July. Hiring is also underway for an additional twenty-seven inspection and plan review positions.

If you’re interested in working for DOB, make sure to subscribe for new job alerts at Chicago Careers, the City’s online hiring portal.

June Retirements

Please note that DOB Project Manager Edward Doherty has retired. Please direct your permit inquiries to John O’Hara at john.o’hara @ cityofchicago.org or 312-744-7188.

The following long-serving DOB staff members are also retiring this month: Supervising Electrical Inspector Guillermo Rodriguez, Boiler Inspector Louis Benz, Building Construction Inspector Hal Getz, Elevator Inspector Gary Hughes, and Plumbing Inspector Patrick Haran. 

We thank all the above for their individual decades of service.

Thank you for your consideration and patience as the above duties are assumed by other staff members.

Residential Cooling Requirements 

As the warm weather finally arrives, the Chicago Department of Buildings (DOB) wants to remind people that residential cooling is required on dangerously hot days. If the City heat index exceeds eighty degrees Fahrenheit, certain residential buildings must provide air conditioning in all apartments or have an air conditioned indoor common gathering area known as a cooling center. 

Which buildings are required to have air conditioning or a cooling center?

• Buildings operated as "housing for older persons" under the Federal Fair Housing Act.
• Buildings with 100 or more apartments.
• Buildings more than 80 feet in height.

If your home is dangerously hot, use 3-1-1: 

• To find the location of the nearest City cooling center.
• To request a senior well-being check.
• To report a violation of the cooling requirements.

For more information: Chicago.gov/cooling