What's New
Oct 1st Deadline for 2020 Projects
Projects certifying under the Enterprise Green Communities 2020 Criteria must submit their initial Prebuild application before October 1, 2026 to remain on the 2020 pathway through certification.
Keep in mind:
- Until October 1, 2026, projects may submit for Prebuild using the 2020 or the 2026 Criteria.
- After October 1, 2026, for first-time Prebuild applications, only the 2026 Criteria may be used. In progress projects with the 2020 Criteria will be inactivated after October 1st.
- We are not able to transfer information between 2020 and 2026 project applications, a new application must be created.
- Project applications already submitted or approved in the portal for either Prebuild or Postbuild are not affected.
How can you prepare for this transition?
- Review your active projects in the certification portal. If you are not confident that you will submit the first Prebuild application before October 1st for a project, begin planning to use the 2026 Criteria with that project now and start an application in the portal with the 2026 Criteria.
- Get familiar with the 2026 Criteria online with full requirements, editable checklists, and a suite of templates and resources available to support project teams through the certification planning process.
Keep up-to-date on 2026 Addendum &FAQs
2026 Criteria Addenda & FAQs will be posted to the website as they are developed. If you have questions about interpretations, updates, or changes to the criteria, please email [email protected]
Compare the 2020 to 2026 Criteria Programs
See what changed between our 2020 and 2026 programs; take a look at the narrative and spreadsheet for a side-by-side comparison of the two:
Webinars & Events
September 23, 2026 | 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm
A Closer Look at the 2026 Green Communities Criteria in Illinois
Looking to understand the new mandatory and optional pathways of the 2026 Criteria? This session will explore all that project teams in Illinois need to know to meet the new standard, and what tools and resources are available to support teams along the way!
We have several more workshops happening this fall. Event details and registration links coming soon!