Let's lighten up on Chicago!
Chicago was inspired, first, by the "Great Chicago Fire" to develop building codes that focused on fire protection.
Later, the "Columbian Exposition" was held there, showcasing this new thing called "electricity." The very many fires - some of them large- resulting in renewed concern. A direct result of these fires was the creation of UL.
So, Chicago led the way in such code matters- long before anyone ever though to write an "NEC."
With the advent of other codes, Chicago felt little need to follow these latecomers.
Chicago had a point; it's building codes were (and still are) very heavily biased towards brick, steel, and concrete. When you recall that Romex was developed specifically for use in 'balloon frame' houses, you can see that Romex was recognized even by its' makers to be inappropriate for Chicago.
Until quite recently, even the NEC reflected this bias, limiting Romex to smaller residential structures. The parallel "AFCI debate" makes me wonder if maybe Chicago is still right.
One can make all manner of assertions as to the influence of Unions, city corruption, etc .... It's not just with Romex, but with plastic pipe and contractor licensing as well.
As we approach the release of the 2011 NEC, it's a good time to remember that it is the local governemnt that is the AHJ, and not some publisher in Massachussetts.
