Attention Building Owners: The deadline of June 1, 2026 has passed. Contact us today for rush services!

ENERGY BENCHMARKING + THIRD PARTY VERIFICATION

Expert Compliance for Chicago's Covered Buildings

Secure Your Chicago Energy Benchmarking & Data Verification Compliance.

As of late 2025, Chicago’s energy reporting process has shifted. A new compliance platform and knowledgebase (BEAM) has replaced the legacy workflow, and the deadline for 2025 data was June 1, 2026.

Sheehan Engineering simplifies this transition. We provide turnkey energy benchmarking services that handle data migration, portal setup, and mandatory 3-year data verification in a single, unified and affordable process.

Standard Compliance

Annual Reporting

All Buildings 50,000+ SF

Applies to all covered buildings annually. Data is reported via EnergyStar Portfolio Manager.

We handle the complex data request process, ensuring your Portfolio Manager account is correctly linked to the utility providers and the City's database for the 2026 reporting cycle.

Deadline: June 1
Risk: Medium (Linkage Errors)
Every 3 Years

Data Verification

Mandatory Audit Cycle

If 2026 is your scheduled year, simple data entry is not sufficient.

The City requires a licensed professional to audit your data and sign off. We provide the mandatory stamp and signature required to clear this violation risk.

Who can sign off? ↻
Deadline: June 1
Risk: High (Requires License)
The Verification Trap

Professional Required

Self-Reporting Can Be Illegal: You may not be able to verify your own building.

The Solution: We maintain multiple licenses and credentials to fulfill this requirement. We review your utility data, correct meter accounting errors, review the EnergyStar Portfolio Manager configuration, and provide the stamped verification checklist.

Action: Secure a licensed sign-off.
Tap to flip back ↻
Past Due?

Fines & Citations

Received a Letter?

If you received a "Not In Compliance" notice, fines accrue daily.

Penalty: Fines start at $100 and rise to $25 per day for continued non-compliance. We fast-track submissions to stop the fines immediately.

Status: Urgent
Action: Resolve Violation Now

Determine Your Building's Requirements

Sheehan Engineering | Your Chicago Benchmarking Provider

Our expertise is in retro-commissioning and energy auditing. We believe that most buildings can achieve significant energy savings and emissions reductions by optimizing the systems they already own. We analyze your building's HVAC, lighting, and control systems to find low-cost, high-impact solutions that cut utility costs and ensure full regulatory compliance.

As licensed engineers and certified professionals, versed in Chicago’s requirements, we are your single, expert partner. We provide a direct, technical, and cost-effective path to making your building more efficient, comfortable, and compliant.

Contact us directly, or fill out the form, to start the conversation!

Email: kevin@sheehan-eng.com

Call: (773) 312-2898

Chicago Energy Benchmarking & Data Verification FAQs

Technical details regarding the Chicago Energy Benchmarking Ordinance, the 2026 program updates, and data verification requirements.

Adopted by the City Council in 2013 and updated in 2017 to include the Chicago Energy Rating System, the ordinance increases transparency in the built environment. Buildings are rated zero-to-four stars based on performance. The program is currently administered under a new support team.
The compliance deadline for calendar year 2025 energy data was June 1, 2026. This deadline applies to all Covered Buildings. If you missed it, failure to submit compliant data results in violation notices and daily fines—we can fast-track a late submission to stop further penalties.
Under the ordinance, Data Verification is mandatory every three years. This is an audit cycle where energy data, floor area, and occupancy must be reviewed for accuracy. If this is your scheduled verification year, simple data entry is not sufficient—you must complete the verification process to be compliant.
Yes. The City requires a Licensed Professional Engineer (PE), Licensed Architect, or other authorized professional to review and sign off on your data. Self-certification by the building owner or property manager does not satisfy this legal requirement. Sheehan Engineering is led by a licensed Professional Engineer in Illinois and provides the professional sign-off required for your submission to be accepted.
Non-compliance occurs when a Covered Building fails to submit accurate energy data, misses the Data Verification deadline, or provides false information. Penalties start at $100 for the initial violation, followed by cumulative fines of up to $25.00 per day until compliance is achieved.