(50 ILCS 515/5)

Sec. 5. Definitions. As used in this Act, unless the context clearly requires otherwise:

"Energy conservation measure" means any improvement, repair, alteration, or betterment of any building or facility owned or operated by a unit of local government or any equipment, fixture, or furnishing to be added to or used in any such building or facility, subject to all applicable building codes, that is designed to reduce energy consumption or operating costs, and may include, without limitation, one or more of the following:

(1) Insulation of the building structure or systems within the building.

(2) Storm windows or doors, caulking or weatherstripping, multiglazed windows or doors, heat absorbing or heat reflective glazed and coated window or door systems, additional glazing, reductions in glass area, or other window and door system modifications that reduce energy consumption.

(3) Automated or computerized energy control systems.

(4) Heating, ventilating, or air conditioning system modifications or replacements.

(5) Replacement or modification of lighting fixtures to increase the energy efficiency of the lighting system without increasing the overall illumination of a facility, unless an increase in illumination is necessary to conform to the applicable State or local building code for the lighting system after the proposed modifications are made.

(6) Energy recovery systems.

(7) Energy conservation measures that provide long-term operating cost reductions.

"Guaranteed energy savings contract" means a contract for: (i) the implementation of an energy audit, data collection, and other related analyses preliminary to the undertaking of energy conservation measures; (ii) the evaluation and recommendation of energy conservation measures; (iii) the implementation of one or more energy conservation measures; and (iv) the implementation of project monitoring and data collection to verify post-installation energy consumption and energy-related operating costs. The contract shall provide that all payments, except obligations on termination of the contract before its expiration, are to be made over time and that the savings are guaranteed to the extent necessary to pay the costs of the energy conservation measures. Energy savings may include energy reduction and offsetting sources of renewable energy funds including renewable energy credits and carbon credits.

"Qualified provider" means a person or business whose employees are experienced and trained in the design, implementation, or installation of energy conservation measures. The minimum training required for any person or employee under this paragraph shall be the satisfactory completion of at least 40 hours of course instruction dealing with energy conservation measures. A qualified provider to whom the contract is awarded shall give a sufficient bond to the unit of local government for its faithful performance.

"Request for proposals" means a competitive selection achieved by negotiated procurement. The request for proposals shall be announced through at least one public notice, at least 14 days before the request date in a newspaper published in the territory comprising the unit of local government or, if no newspaper is published in that territory, in a newspaper of general circulation in the area of the unit of local government, from a unit of local government that will administer the program, requesting innovative solutions and proposals for energy conservation measures. Proposals submitted shall be sealed. The request for proposals shall include all of the following:

(1) The name and address of the unit of local government.

(2) The name, address, title, and phone number of a contact person.

(3) Notice indicating that the unit of local government is requesting qualified providers to propose energy conservation measures through a guaranteed energy savings contract.

(4) The date, time, and place where proposals must be received.

(5) The evaluation criteria for assessing the proposals.

(6) Any other stipulations and clarifications the unit of local government may require.

"Unit of local government" means a county, township, municipality, or park district.

(Source: P.A. 96-1197, eff. 7-22-10.)