02.27.2025
AIA Delegates from Illinois (L-R) Kelly Moynihan, AIA; Jeremy Gentile, Assoc. AIA; Molly Rademacher, AIA, NCIDQ; Rachel Weisbrock, Assoc. AIA; Jason Golub, AIA; and Natalie Hicks, AIA.
WASHINGTON D.C., Thursday, February 27, 2025: Yesterday, several AIA Chicago and AIA Illinois members joined over 400 AIA architect members on Capitol Hill to advocate for critical legislation affecting both the architecture profession and community needs. The advocacy day saw architects engaging directly with policymakers to push forward AIA’s legislative priorities.
The architects focused on several key areas during their meetings with congressional representatives:
Design Freedom for Federal Architecture: The AIA expressed support for the Democracy in Design Act, which aims to codify the Guiding Principles for federal architecture. They opposed legislation that would remove local community control, mandate official federal design preferences, or create additional bureaucratic hurdles.
Update Fee Limitations For Federal Contracts: Architects highlighted how existing fee caps disproportionately hurt competition, particularly among small and mid-sized firms. They requested that Congress direct the FAR Council to update the 6 percent fee limitation that currently applies only to cost-plus-fixed-fee contracts.
Support for More Housing: The AIA called for reauthorization of the HOME program with an increased administrative cap from 10 to 15 percent, and advocated for increased funding for the Community Development Block Grant Program from $3.3 billion to $4.2 billion.
Support for Community Resiliency: While acknowledging the critical role of FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Assistance Grant programs, the architects noted these initiatives remain underfunded. They urged Congress to increase funding for various resilience-focused legislation, including the Resilient AMERICA Act and The Shelter Act.
Tax Incentives for Architects: The AIA voiced support for business-friendly tax policies that encourage R&D investment, incentivize private-sector affordable housing, and ensure tax parity between large and small businesses. They called for improvements to several tax provisions, including the R&D tax credit and the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit.
The advocacy day was part of the broader AIA Leadership Summit, which provided attendees with an opportunity to engage in policy discussions while developing their leadership skills as AEC professionals and AIA chapter leaders. Representatives from AIA Chicago and AIA Illinois met with Representatives Quigley and Foster during the event.
To get involved with advocacy efforts, visit AIAChicago.org/Advocacy or AIAIL.org.
