Illinois Irrigation Education by Four Points, LLC

In the early 1980’s lawn sprinkler service and installation was proposed to be included in the Illinois Plumbing Code.  Therefore the installation and service of lawn sprinkler systems would have to be completed only by licensed plumbers.  There was not an association of irrigation contractors to speak for the contractors, so the contractors were not united.Before the law went into effect some lawn sprinkler contractors were contacted and met with the State’s Chief Plumbing Inspector.  The contractors concern was that since they were not licensed plumbers the new law would put them out of business.  The Chief Plumbing Inspector recommended that they hire a licensed plumber and become an apprentice under that person.  After serving the apprenticeship, the contractor could become a licensed plumber.  By following these recommendations the contractors would not be put out of business.  Some of the contractors followed the Chief Plumbing Inspectors advice.  
In 1983 the State issued a new plumbing code book and lawn sprinkler systems were included as plumbing.  There was little if any enforcement of the rule that to install or maintain lawn sprinklers you had to be a licensed plumber.  Sprinkler systems were required to have backflow prevention.  This consisted of a properly installed AVB.  A properly installed AVB must be installed downstream of the last shut off (i.e.; electronic) valve and 12” above the highest head on the zone it serves.  Unfortunately contractors rarely if ever installed AVB’s according to manufacturing recommendations.
In 1991 lawn sprinkler system were required to have RPZ backflow devices on any sprinkler system drawing from a potable water supply.  The irrigation contractors of Illinois still did not have an association to speak for them.  The change to the plumbing code was made without input from irrigation contractors.
Later in 1991 two contractors were stopped for not being licensed plumbers.  The contractor that was stopped in Batavia called the Chief Plumbing Inspector and discussed the situation.  The Chief Plumbing Inspector recommended hiring a licensed plumber and becoming an apprentice.  It was also recommended to plumb houses in the winter to learn the trade and have winter work.  The contractor followed this advice.  The other contractor decided to take the issue to court.  Upon realizing the costs involved, he initiated a state irrigation association.  The Illinois Turf Irrigation Association (ITIA) was formed.  The contractor and the association raised money and fought with state.  The courts favored the irrigation contractors and the state appealed; this went on all the way to the State Supreme Court.  The Illinois Supreme Court ruled against the irrigation contractors and stated that this issue should be resolved by the legislature.  The legislature enacted an emergency law that allowed irrigation contractors to work without being licensed plumbers.  This emergency legislation would automatically expire in January of 2003.
The ITIA worked with the help of the Illinois Nurserymen Association (INA) developed the Illinois Irrigation Registration Bill.  This bill required irrigation contractors to register with the state and hire or contract with licensed plumber(s) to install indoor piping and backflow device.  In addition the licensed plumber had to inspect the sprinkler system to verify that it worked mechanically.  This bill was passed into law and this was a ten year law that would have to be renewed every ten years.  The law did not require any education or experience to become an irrigation contractor.
The association continued to strive for more professionalism in our trade.  About this time the ITIA merged with the INA.  Therefore the interests of Illinois’ irrigation contractors were represented by the INA Irrigation Committee.
The INA irrigation committee enhanced the current law with an education requirement, minimum insurance limits, state bonding and a water conservation requirement.  The education requirement is a 2 day class which includes  a test.    The water conservation requirement is that every system must have rain technology that will conserve water by turning off the system when conditions do not require watering.  This new bill was passed into law in July of 2005 and went into effect in January of 2008.  
The INA changed its name to Illinois Green Industry Association.
Recently there has been legislation that effects irrigation contractors.

• Rainwater Sytems must be installed by a licensed plumber. Defeated for now.
• Irrigation systems do not have to be upgraded to RPZ for 5 years.  Defeated, only 2 irrigation contractors participated.
• Only a Landscape Architect can design an irrigation system. Defeated
• An irrigation system cannot use more than 70 gpm. Defeated