Illinois
State Scorecard Rank
16
Illinois
24.5Scored out of 50Updated 12/2022
State Government
Score: 5.5 out of 9
State Government Summary List All
Illinois offers a variety of financial incentives to encourage energy efficiency. It enables PACE financing but does not have any active PACE programs. The state government leads by example by requiring efficient government fleets and public buildings, benchmarking public buildings, and encouraging energy savings performance contracting. Research focused on energy efficiency occurs at several research centers in Illinois.
Financial Incentives List All
Financial Incentive information for Illinois is provided by the Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency (DSIRE Illinois). The state does enable Property Assessed Clean Energy Financing (PACE), but it does not have any active PACE programs. For additional information on PACE, visit PACENation.
Last Reviewed: July 2017
Equity Metrics and Workforce DevelopmentList All
We were unable to determine if the state's energy plans or electrification strategies establish specific policies or equity-related metrics to ensure access for underserved customers or if they include specific measures to prioritize clean energy workforce development.
Last Reviewed: September 2020
Carbon Pricing PoliciesList All
The State of Illinois does not yet have carbon pricing policies in place.
The state has a plan to reduce emissions 26-28% below 2005 levels by 2025-2030 and 100% below 1990 levels by 2050.
Last Reviewed: November 2024
Building Energy Disclosure List All
There is no disclosure policy in place.
Last Reviewed: July 2017
Public Building Requirements List All
In 2007 the Illinois legislature enacted Public Act 095-0559, which specifically addresses energy efficiency in state government. The law directs all executive branch state agencies to set a goal of reducing energy use by 10% within 10 years. Targets were expanded in April 2009, when Governor Quinn signed Executive Order 7 to better coordinate energy savings activities in State government. Executive Order No. 7 sets a goal of a 20% energy reduction by 2020 for state facilities.
Specifically, EO 7 directed the Department of Central Management Services to implement a program to increase energy efficiency, track and reduce energy usage, and improve energy procurement for all State-owned and State-leased facilities. To facilitate these actions, the executive order creates an "Energy Efficiency Committee" consisting of several agency heads from various departments (Dept. of Central Management Services, Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, and Capital Development Board). The committee oversees state building energy audits, the implementation of subsequent recommendations, and the procurement of equipment/services designed to decrease energy consumption at State-owned and State-leased facilities.
Public Act 96-0896 required the state to conduct a pilot study to benchmark and label selected state buildings for energy efficiency. Eleven individual buildings and six campuses representing a range of building types were included in the study, which was completed February 2013. The State intends to benchmark all significant Executive Agency buildings, although it would be a small percentage of all public buildings. Flagship buildings (James R. Thompson Center, Michael A. Bilandic Building) and some template buildings (e.g. ISP district offices) have done benchmarking thus far.
Illinois' Green Buildings Act (20 ILCS 3130) requires that all new state-funded construction or major renovation of buildings are to seek LEED, Green Globes, or similar green building certification. New buildings and renovation less than 10,000 square feet must follow the guidelines for the highest level of LEED (or equivalent standard) that is practical, though they do not have to actually seek certification. Buildings or renovations larger than 10,000 square feet must be LEED Silver (or two Green Globes) certified and must receive all of the LEED credits that have been deemed mandatory by the Capital Development Board. LEED Silver is required when the project is valued at 40% the replacement cost of the state government building.
Last Reviewed: September 2020
Fleets List All
To help achieve the statewide goal of reducing petroleum use by 20% by July 1, 2012, as compared to 2008 petroleum use, Illinois state agencies must work towards meeting the following goals:
- By July 1, 2015, at least 20% of new passenger vehicles purchased must be hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) and 5% must be battery electric vehicles (EVs);
- By July 1, 2025, at least 60% of new passenger vehicles purchased must be HEVs and 15% must be EVs;
Agencies that operate medium- and heavy-duty vehicles must implement strategies to reduce fuel consumption through diesel emission control devices, HEV and EVs technologies, alternative fuel use, and fuel-efficient technologies. Agencies must also implement strategies to promote the use of biofuels in state vehicles; reduce the environmental impacts of employee travel; and encourage employees to adopt alternative travel methods, such as carpooling.
Last Reviewed: September 2020
Energy Savings Performance Contracting List All
Illinois began a ten-year pilot program in 1994, which encouraged state buildings to take part in the then-newly enacted ESPC program, which provides assistance to the public and not-for-profit sectors. Since the program's inception, program staff oversaw the implementation of over $491 million in energy efficient capital improvements through performance contract arrangements resulting in over $35 million in combined annual savings.
The state has recently entered into a new energy performance contract to upgrade the energy efficiency of six Department of Human Services’ facilities in the Chicago region, with guaranteed energy savings valued at $10 million. The state is exploring additional energy performance contract opportunities at Department of Corrections’ facilities, with assistance from the State Energy Office’s Energy Performance Contracting Technical Assistance Program. For over 15 years, the Energy Performance Contracting Program has provided assistance to the public and not-for-profit sectors. During this time, program staff oversaw the implementation of over $491 million in energy efficient capital improvements through performance contract arrangements resulting in over $35 million in combined annual savings. To this day, the State continues to sponsor one-on-one technical assistance and provide template documents to public sector customers for the development and implementation of ESPCs. The State has also recently released an RFP for streetlights replacements, which will be done as a master contract so that any Illinois municipality could opt in to participate and do as an ESPC. For its own facilities, the State has recently entered into a new energy performance contract to upgrade the energy efficiency of six Department of Human Services' facilities in the Chicago region, with guaranteed energy savings valued at $10 million. The state is exploring additional energy performance contract opportunities at Department of Corrections' facilities.
Last Reviewed: September 2020
Research & Development List All
The University of Illinois at Chicago’s Energy Resources Center (UIC-ERC) focuses on energy conservation and production concepts and technologies. As part of its mission statement, the Center has the responsibility to assist both private and public institutions at the local, state and public levels. To fulfill this directive, the Center’s Engineering Solutions Group focuses on finding practical answers to energy problems in the industrial, commercial, institutional and residential markets. Through the use of energy audits, computer modeling and on-site consultation and evaluation, the group identifies opportunities for improved efficiency and reduced utility bills. Working with city, state, and national organizations, the group finds the most energy conscious, efficient and cost-effective strategies available to clients. The Center receives funding from the University and a variety of public and private clients, and sponsorships including the U.S. Department of Energy, Argonne National Laboratory, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, and Commonwealth Edison.
The Illinois Sustainable Technology Center at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champagne promotes sustainability through resource conservation, pollution prevention, and research efforts including energy efficiency.
The Department of Urban and Regional Planning and the Smart Energy Design Assistance Center (SEDAC) of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign undertake applied energy conservation research. Much of the work revolves around the ways in which cities consume energy and its implications including the associated externalities and climate change implications. The Department has been associated with several climate action planning efforts, research on urban metabolism, the effects of energy dashboards, and other energy related behavior change research.
SEDAC collaborates with researchers in Economics, Engineering, Urban and Regional Planning, the Information Trust Institute, Illinois Sustainable Technology Center, and the Illinois State Water Survey on topics including: macroeconomic analysis of statewide energy planning, building-level impacts of smart grid demand response systems, energy efficiency degradation in buildings, energy impacts of water chemistry management, open source energy information systems, and human factors in successful building commissioning.
The Gas Technology Institute (GTI) is a natural gas research, development and training organization that evaluates natural gas and energy markets across the industry's value chain: supply, delivery, and end use. It offers an integrated systems perspective to expand the supply of affordable energy, ensure a safe and reliable energy delivery infrastructure, and promote the efficient use of energy resources. In recent years the State and Illinois IOUs have partnered with GTI to perform emerging technology research and development for its ratepayer EE programs. Currently the State has partnered with GTI to specifically consider what new natural gas EE technologies are particularly suitable for low income and public sector customers.
Last Reviewed: July 2017
Buildings
Score: 16 out of 24
Buildings Summary List All
The Illinois Energy Conservation Code supersedes home rule and is the minimum code for all affected buildings in the State of Illinois. Commercial and residential buildings must comply with 2021 IECC standards. The state has implemented several activities to ensure code compliance, including convening a stakeholder advisory group, conducting compliance studies, and offering code trainings.
Residential Codes List All
By law Illinois is required to adopt the latest IECC, although the Capital Development Board may recommend amendments. Current code, effective January 2024, requires residential construction to meet 2021 IECC standards with state-specific amendments.
Last reviewed: November 2024
Commercial Code List All
By law Illinois is required to adopt the latest IECC, although the Capital Development Board may recommend amendments. Current code, effective January 2024, requires privately-funded commercial construction to meet 2021 IECC standards with state-specific amendments.
Last reviewed: November 2024
Compliance List All
- Gap Analysis/Strategic Compliance Plan: The State Energy Office (Illinois Dept. of Commerce and Economic Opportunity) worked with BCAP to complete a gap analysis in 2010 and a strategic compliance plan in 2011.
- Baseline & Updated Compliance Studies: The State Energy Office received a federal grant in 2010 to conduct a compliance study to test DOE’s recommended methods for measuring building codes compliance rates. The study found a compliance rate of 86% for residential buildings based on the buildings sampled, but the rate was adjusted to 79% to reflect the lack of cooperation from a couple of jurisdictions. The compliance rate for commercial buildings was over 90% but a full statistically valid sample was not completed. Evaluation of codes compliance and energy savings attributable to the training and technical assistance programs has now been built into the annual Evaluation, Measurement, and Verification of the state’s Energy Efficiency Portfolio. In June of 2014, an Evaluation of Illinois Baseline Building Code Compliance was prepared for the State Energy Office by ADM Associates, Inc. The study found a compliance rate of 81.3% for new residential buildings based on the buildings sampled. ADM was unable to arrive at a statistically valid compliance rate for commercial buildings due to the unavailability of willing participants.
- Utility Involvement: Illinois’ utilities are involved in the Illinois Commercial and Residential Building Energy Codes Enhancement Collaborative Program aimed at providing training, technical assistance, and rebates for third-party inspectors.
- Training/Outreach: The Illinois Energy Office spends approximately $300,000+ annually for enforcement and training with close to 30 outreach/training events held. These programs also include blower door training, HVAC right-sizing training, and a code interpretation hotline. Other consultations involve a visit with a building department and their field inspection staff to discuss time-saving plan review or field inspection techniques.
Last Reviewed: November 2024
Important Links List All
CHP
CHP Summary List All
The state has a favorable interconnection standard and CHP is included as an eligible resource in the state's EERS. No new CHP systems were installed in 2018.
Interconnection StandardsList All
Policy: Illinois Senate Bill 680
Description: Though currently only “emergency rules,” in response to the lack of a formal rulemaking by the deadline of April 1, 2008 set by the enabling legislation, the Illinois Corporation Commission is considering an interconnection standard that would explicitly include CHP. The current in-place emergency rules do include CHP, and are based upon the IEEE 1547 Standard. Four tiers of interconnection are delineated, separating interconnection into different size categories up to 10MW. In March 2010, the ICC established interconnection standards for Large Distributed Generation Facilities, or those over 10 MW.
Last Updated: July 2018
Encouraging CHP as a ResourceList All
CHP in energy efficiency standards: CHP and waste heat to power were not allowed under the Illinois EEPS Program until a law was passed in 2013 (SB 1603) that changed the definition of energy efficiency: "Energy efficiency measures also includes measures that reduce the total BTUs of electricity and natural gas needed to meet the end use or uses." This opened the door for inclusion of CHP as an allowable technology under the state EEPS program. The Illinois Commerce Commission recently issued its orders for State Energy Office’s and the investor owned utilities’ three-year Energy Efficiency Portfolio plans.
CHP qualifies as an energy efficiency resource, and some of the largest utilities in Illinois, incuding ComEd, and Nicor, now offer per-kWh CHP acquisition programs and incentives for CHP deployment. Details on ComEd’s CHP program can be found here. Details on Nicor’s program can be found here. Utilities must consider CHP within their IRPs. The established goals for ComEd were developed on a per-project basis, and the spending associated with acquiring those projects was approved as part of the company’s broader energy efficiency programming.
Revenue streams: In 2014, the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) ordered the Investor Owned Utilities (IOUs) to investigate CHP for the private sector in Illinois. ComEd and Nicor Gas, Illinois’ largest electric and natural gas utilities respectively, both recently initiated custom programs targeting CHP projects. ComEd offers an up to $10,000 of feasibility assessment costs for projects under 400kW, and up to $25,000 for projects equal to or greater than 400kW. They also offer a production incentive of $0.07 per eligible kWh based on review of 12 months of metered data.
Last Updated: September 2018
Deployment IncentivesList All
Incentives, grants, or financing: Launched in 2014, Illinois’ Public Sector CHP Pilot Program will provide cash incentives for CHP projects that increase energy efficiency of local governments, municipal corporations, public school districts, community college districts, public universities, and state/federal facilities. The program is structured to provide performance based incentives during various stages of public sector projects, including after the design phase ($75/kW), commissioning ($175/kW), and after 12 months of measured operational performance ($0.08/kWh or $0.06/kWh depending on system efficiency).
Net metering: Net metering rules do not apply to CHP and are only applicable to renewable-powered systems. Systems smaller than 2 MW may net meter, but those over 40kW are required to provide required metering equipment.
Last Updated: September 2018
Additional Supportive PoliciesList All
Some additional supportive policies exist to encourage CHP in Illinois. The Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity (DCEO) offers technical assistance by telephone and by hosting webinars to explain the technical details of CHP and build awareness of the Public Sector CHP Pilot program.
The state also considers CHP as part of its resiliency planning efforts. CHP is referenced in Illinois' Energy Assurance Report and is described as a technology that can provide electric service to a facility during emergency situations. The report also provides helpful contact information and identifies CHP system locations with GIS mapping.
Last Updated: September 2018
Utilities
Score: 11 out of 15
Utilities Summary List All
The Illinois General Assembly passed a law in 2007 that requires the state’s electric utilities and state energy office to provide customer energy efficiency programs and to meet energy savings goals. The legislation set an energy efficiency resource standard (EERS) that began at 0.2% of electricity sales per year in 2008 and increases in steps up to 2.0% of sales per year by 2015.
In late 2016, Illinois passed the Future Energy Jobs Bill (SB 2814), raising overall utility energy efficiency targets to require ComEd and Ameren to achieve cumulative 21.5% and 16% reductions in energy use, respectively, by 2030.
Illinois established a natural gas EERS in 2009 with a goal of providing 8.6% cumulative savings by 2020. The state is pilot-testing a natural gas decoupling program. Illinois does not provide shareholder incentives tied to energy efficiency programs.
The most recent budgets for energy efficiency programs and electricity and natural gas savings can be found in the State Spending and Savings Tables.
Customer Energy Efficiency Programs List All
Illinois passed legislation (SB 1592) in July 2007 that created a requirement for large-scale utility energy efficiency programs in Illinois. SB 1592 authorizes utilities to recover the costs for providing energy efficiency programs and directs utilities to design and implement cost-recovery tariffs. Funds from the tariffs cover both utility- and state-administered programs. There is a cost cap in place that limits program costs. In December 2016, SB 2814 raised this cap from 2% of customer rates to 3.5%, eventually increasing to 4% beginning in 2026. Illinois established a natural gas EERS in 2009 with a goal of providing 8.6% cumulative savings by 2020.
SB 2814 also removed energy efficiency programs previously administered by the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and the Illinois Power Agency and placed the programs solely with the Utilities. The legislation also transitioned goals previously structured as first-year savings to goals related to longer-term cumulative persistent annual savings.
The utilities also offer on-bill financing opportunities to their customers for energy efficiency measures.
Section 16-111.5B of the Illinois Public Utilities Act provides for additional procurement on an annual basis of cost-effective electric energy efficiency programs (beyond those included in Section 8-103 programs and without the spending limitation included in Section 8-103) through Illinois energy and power procurements. Each large electric utility conducts an annual solicitation process for purposes of requesting proposals from third-party vendors. The statute provides that "the Commission shall also approve the energy efficiency programs and measures included in the procurement plan, including the annual energy savings goal, if the Commission determines they fully capture the potential for all achievable cost-effective savings, to the extent practicable, and otherwise satisfy the requirements of Section 8-103 of this Act." There has been a significant increase in utility expenditures on energy efficiency due to this statutory provision.
Section 8-408 of the Illinois Public Utilities Act provides for voluntary energy efficiency programs to be offered by a medium-sized utility that is not subject to the mandatory energy efficiency standards. After a review of the initial pilot plan, the Commission determined that the cost-effective programs should continue into the future. The Commission approved a new 5-year gas and electric energy efficiency plan in ICC Docket No. 13-0423.
The most recent budgets for energy efficiency programs and electricity and natural gas savings can be found in the State Spending and Savings Tables.
Last reviewed: November 2024
Energy Efficiency as a Resource List All
Illinois legislation (SB 1592) establishes a state policy that requires electric utilities to use cost-effective energy efficiency and demand-response measures to reduce direct and indirect costs to consumers. This can be accomplished by avoiding or delaying the need for new generation, transmission, and distribution infrastructure, as well as off-setting more expensive power purchases. Illinois is a "restructured" state—with distribution utilities purchasing power in competitive wholesale markets. Reduced customer demand thus affects purchase decisions and resource planning. Although there are no rules in place for integrated resource planning, the state does have a filing requirement for long-term utility plans.
Section 8-103 of the Illinois PUA establishes: It is the policy of the State that electric utilities are required to use cost-effective energy efficiency and demand-response measures to reduce delivery load. Requiring investment in cost-effective energy efficiency and demand-response measures will reduce direct and indirect costs to consumers by decreasing environmental impacts and by avoiding or delaying the need for new generation, transmission, and distribution infrastructure. It serves the public interest to allow electric utilities to recover costs for reasonably and prudently incurred expenses for energy efficiency and demand-response measures.
Section 8-104 of the Illinois PUA establishes: It is the policy of the State that natural gas utilities are required to use cost-effective energy efficiency to reduce direct and indirect costs to consumers. It serves the public interest to allow natural gas utilities to recover costs for reasonably and prudently incurred expenses for cost-effective energy efficiency measures.
Last reviewed: November 2024
Energy Efficiency Resource Standards List All
Summary: Electric: Vary by utility, averaging 1.77% of sales from 2018 to 2021, 2.08% from 2022 to 2025, and 2.05% from 2026 to 2030. Natural Gas: 8.5% cumulative savings by 2020 (0.2% incremental savings in 2011, ramping up to 1.5% in 2019).
The scope of energy efficiency activity in Illinois began a dramatic expansion in July 2007 when the state legislature passed the Illinois Power Agency Act (IPAA), which includes requirements for energy efficiency and demand-response programs. The IPAA establishes an EERS that sets incremental annual electric and natural gas savings targets based on the previous year’s consumption, beginning on June 1 of that year (see § 220 ILCS 5/8-103). The electric savings requirement began at 0.2% in 2008 and ramped up to a requirement of 2% annual savings in 2015 and thereafter. The natural gas goals began in 2012 with a 0.2% reduction from 2011 sales and ramp up to 1.5% annual savings by 2019 (see Public Act 96-0033). However, due to a 2.0% rate impact cap, regulators had approved lower targets with incremental electric savings targets varying by utility from about 0.5% to 0.7% per year.
Future Energy Jobs Bill (SB 2814) was enacted into law as Public Act 99-0906 in December 2016 with an effective date of June 1, 2017. The legislation requires ComEd to achieve a cumulative 21.5% reduction and Ameren to achieve a 16% reduction in energy use by 2030, and also requires $25 million per year to be spent on programs to help low-income homes become more efficient. Goals are measured as the change in cumulative savings that consider both newly acquired savings as well as lost savings due to previously administered measures reaching the end of their Expected Measure Life.
Some of the provisions of the Act include adding 220 ILCS 5/8-103B to the Public Utilities Act. This Section shifts responsibility of the DCEO-administered electric efficiency programs to the various utilities. Public Act 99-0906 also revises the gas utility statute (220 ILCS 5/8-104) and assigns the gas utilities the responsibilities that were previously assigned to DCEO as well. Public Act 99-0906 also increases the cost cap (previously 2.0%) to 3.5% for the first four years, 3.75% for the four years that begin in 2022, and 4% for the five years that begin on January 1, 2026. For January 1, 2031 and beyond there is no reference to a cost cap. The new Act also eliminates the provisions for energy efficiency procurement by the Illinois Power Agency.
Last reviewed: November 2024
Utility Business Model List All
In February 2008, North Shore Gas and Peoples Gas and Coke were both approved for four-year revenue-per-customer decoupling pilots. Monthly adjustments began in March 2008. To continue the program after four years, the utility was required to make a general rate filing in which the commission extends the program (cases 07-0241/07-0242 (consolidated) and 09-0166/09-0167 (consolidated)). In the 09-0166/09-0167 (consolidated) cases, the rider was approved on a permanent basis.
The Commission approved decoupling for Ameren for natural gas in December 2015 (Docket No. 15-0142).
The two largest electric utilities do not have an explicit decoupling rider for energy efficiency purposes. However, as part of the AMI installation process, these utilities are using formula rates that adjust every year based on actual costs and actual sales in the previous years. The formula rate is in effect until December 31, 2022 per 220 ILCS 5/16-108.5.
Illinois Public Act 99-0906 was passed in December 2016, including a mechanism for electric utility shareholder incentives for energy efficiency. The legislation provides either increased ROI or decreased ROI to electric utilities based on their performance relative to statutory goals. This goes into effect on January 1, 2018.
Last reviewed: November 2024
Evaluation, Measurement, & Verification List All
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Primary cost-effectiveness test(s) used: total resource cost test
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Secondary cost-effectiveness test(s) used: utility cost test
The evaluation of ratepayer-funded energy efficiency programs in Illinois relies on both legislative mandates (the Illinois Power Agency Act, Public Act 95-0481, and the Future Energy Jobs Act, SB2814) and regulatory orders (that follow the legislation). Illinois has established formal rules and procedures for evaluation, which are stated in Case No. 07-0540—Order on Rehearing and the net-to-gross (NTG) framework. See also 220 ILCS 5/8-103B for electric, effective June 1, 2017, and 220 ILCS 5/8-104 for natural gas utility evaluation. Evaluations are conducted for each of the utilities.
According to the Database of State Efficiency Screening Practices (DSESP), Illinois relies on the Total Resource Cost (TRC) benefit-cost test as its primary cost-effectiveness test. The utility cost test (UCT) is the secondary test. Rules for benefit-cost tests were updated in the Future Energy Jobs Act and are stated in Public Act 95-0481 and outlined in the Illinois Energy Efficiency Policy Manual. These benefit-cost tests are required for overall portfolio level screening (see also 20 ILCS 3855/1-10 and 220 ILCS 5/8-104(b)). Illinois’ test accounts for avoided costs of compliance with greenhouse gas emissions regulations and environmental impacts. Illinois’ TRC accounts for costs and benefits associated with participant productivity (reduced O&M costs), other fuel (natural gas), and water savings.
The state maintains an Illinois Statewide Technical Reference Manual for Energy Efficiency. The current version in effect became effective date of January 1, 2018. The IL-TRM is updated annually.
Further information on cost-effectiveness screening practices for Illinois is available in the Database of State Efficiency Screening Practices (DSESP), a resource of the National Efficiency Screening Project (NESP). Further information on health and environmental benefits is available in ACEEE’s Overview of State Approaches to Account for Health and Environmental Benefits of Energy Efficiency.
Last reviewed: July 2019
Guidelines for Low-Income Energy Efficiency Programs List All
Requirements for State and Utility Support of Low-Income Energy Efficiency Programs
In December 2016, the Illinois State Legislature passed the Future Energy Jobs Bill (SB 2814). The legislation directs utilities to implement low-income energy efficiency measures of no less than $25 million per year for electric utilities that serve more than 3 million retail customers in the state (ComEd), and no less than $8.35 million per year for electric utilities that serve less than 3 million but more than 500,000 retail customers in the state (Ameren).
Cost-Effectiveness Rules for Low-Income Energy Efficiency Programs
Section 8-103B (Energy Efficiency and Demand-Response Measures) of SB 2814 excludes low-income energy efficiency measures from the need to satisfy the total resource cost-effectiveness (TRC) test.
Coordination of Low-Income and WAP Services
The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) is responsible for administering the state’s allocation of DOE weatherization funds. In Illinois, the weatherization program is called the Illinois Home Weatherization Assistance Program (IHWAP). IHWAP provides Illinois’ low-income residents with the labor and materials needed to weatherize their homes and is funded by three sources: DOE WAP funding, Low Income Home Energy Assistance Block Grant funds from the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and the state’s Supplemental Low-Income Energy Assistance Fund (from the monthly Low-Income Energy Assistance Charge assessed by electric and gas utilities).
Last reviewed: November 2024
Self Direct and Opt-Out Programs List All
Electric customers with greater than 10 MW of demand in any 30-minute period are exempt from programs.
A self-direct option is available statewide for natural gas customers who meet the following criteria: annual natural gas usage in the aggregate of 4 million therms or more within the service territory of the affected gas utility, or with aggregate usage of 8 million therms or more in this state and using natural gas as feedstock to the extent such annual feedstock usage is greater than 60% of the customer's total annual usage of natural gas. Qualified natural gas customers put money into an account of their own that amounts to the lesser of 2% of the customer's cost of natural gas or $150,000. The funds are required to be used for energy efficiency projects. No evaluation is required.
Last reviewed: July 2019
Data AccessList All
Guidelines for Third Party Access
The Commission has established guidelines and regulations for alternative retail electric supplier access in Docket Nos. 13-0506 (aggregated, anonymous data), 14-0701 (access to individual data by retail electric suppliers), Docket No. 15-7003 (access to individual data by entities other than retail electric suppliers), and 14-0507 (Data Access Framework Docket). See also Section 16-122 of the Illinois Public Utilities Act.
For Green Button Connect, third parties must accept and comply with the rules and standards of the national Green Button program and the Green Button Alliance and they must be in good standing with the state in which they are incorporated.
Requirements for Provision of Energy Data
Illinois requires the provision of individual meter energy data to customers, in a common electronic format, and to third parties upon authorization of the customer. Currently, alternative retail electric suppliers are able to access data through a secure electronic system.
Illinois does not require the provision of energy use data in aggregated form to owners of multi-tenant buildings or to public agencies.
While not required by statute or Commission Order, ComEd provides anonymous individual customer data in aggregated form through the Energy Usage Data System (EUDS), a web-based tool. It enables an electronic link to the U.S. EPA’s building energy benchmarking system known as Portfolio Manager. Another example is ComEd's Anonymous Data Service. Customer-level interval usage data is assembled for all customers (by customer delivery class) in a five digit zip code. Specific retail customer identifiers, including but not limited to name, address, and electric account number, are omitted from the assembled data.
Energy Use Data Availability
In 2017, the Commission ordered utilities to consider the Open Data Access Framework as they design new AMI-based data services.
There are no statewide standards for access to aggregated energy use data. The provision of aggregated usage data is described in Docket No. 13-0506. The Commission adopted a 15/15 Rule when a utility releases an anonymized, compiled data set of individual customer usage. It means that a utility is allowed to provide customer usage data when there are at least 15 customers (within a delivery class) within the same geographic area and a single customer’s load must not comprise more than 15% of the customer group's total load. Docket No. 13-0506, Final Order at 17.
Last reviewed: July 2019
Transportation
Score: 6 out of 13
Transportation Summary List All
Illinois has policies focusing on complete streets legislation, efficient vehicles and for low-income applicant EV rebates.
Tailpipe Emission Standards List All
No California Vehicle Standards in place or proposed.
Last Reviewed: November 2024
Transportation System Efficiency List All
Transportation and Land use Integration: Illinois adopted Public Act 095-065 in 2007 which mandates that planning for bicycle and pedestrian ways must be incorporated into state-funded transportation programs and plans.
The state also adopted the Business Location Efficiency Incentive Act in 2007, which provides businesses located near affordable housing and transit with tax credits.
Illinois Statutes Chapter 20. Executive Branch § 695/20-10. Strategic Planning: The strategy may identify the critical community development approaches being considered or to be considered. The approaches may include, but are not limited to: community growth management such as regional planning and smart growth; area revitalization including brownfields redevelopment and facility reuse; and family self-sufficiency such as through housing conservation and economic opportunity.
VMT Targets: We were unable to find information indicating any VMT and/or GHG targets in place.
FAST Freight Plans and Goals: Although no GHG reduction target was found in the plan, Illinois’s 2023 state freight plan has metrics that:
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Evaluates intermodal projects based on the reduction in truck Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT)
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Evaluates the increased connections between freight modes at a given facility
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scores intermodal projects for their use of technology to reduce emissions at freight facilities
Last Reviewed: November 2024
Transit Funding List All
House Bill 289 allocates $2.5 billion for the creation and maintenance of mass transit facilities from the issuance of state bonds.
Last Reviewed: November 2024
Incentives for High-Efficiency Vehicles List All
The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency will offer a $4,000 rebate toward the purchase of new or used EV from July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2026. Rebates decline after that period. A rebate of $2,000 is available for the same from July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027 and $1,500 starting July 1, 2028 EV fleet owners are also exempt from the $20 per vehicle fee that applies to fleets with more than 10 vehicles
Fleet User Fee Exemption: Owners of electric vehicle fleets are exempt from this $20 fee
Last updated: November 2024
Equitable Access to TransportationList All
Public transit: We were unable to find information indicating state programs in place to incentivize the creation of low-income housing near transit facilities, but it does consider the proximity of transit facilities when distributing federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credits to qualifying property owners.
EV programs: Illinois gives priority to low-income applicants for their new/used EV purchase rebate over other applicants.
Last updated: November 2024
Industry: