Energy Transition Community Grant - Zion Taxing Bodies
ETCG - Zion
CSFA Number: 420-00-3434
STATE AGENCY INFORMATION
Agency Name
Department Of Commerce And Economic Opportunity (420)
Agency Contact
PROGRAM INFORMATION
Short Description
Energy Transition Grant Program - Zion Taxing Bodies ONLY
Federal Authorization
N/A
Illinois Statue Authorization
20 ILCS 735/10-20(j)
Illinois Administrative Rules Authorization
N/A
Objective
Public Act 103-1066, Effective 2/20/25 “Units of local government that are taxing authorities for a nuclear plant that was decommissioned before January 1, 2021, shall receive grants in proportional shares of $15 per kilogram of spent nuclear fuel stored at such a facility, less any payments made to such communities from the federal government based on the amount of waste stored at a decommissioned nuclear plant and any property tax payments. 75% of grant funds received by taxing authorities must be used for property tax abatement purposes.” [20 ILCS 735/10-20(j)]. It should be pointed out that there is only one nuclear plant, the Zion Nuclear Power Station that is affected by this Public Act 103-1066.
UGA Program Terms
Public Act 103-1066, Effective 2/20/25 “Units of local government that are taxing authorities for a nuclear plant that was decommissioned before January 1, 2021, shall receive grants in proportional shares of $15 per kilogram of spent nuclear fuel stored at such a facility, less any payments made to such communities from the federal government based on the amount of waste stored at a decommissioned nuclear plant and any property tax payments. 75% of grant funds received by taxing authorities must be used for property tax abatement purposes.” [20 ILCS 735/10-20(j)]. It should be pointed out that there is only one nuclear plant, the Zion Nuclear Power Station that is affected by this Public Act 103-1066. And there are 10 municipal/taxing bodies.
Eligible Applicants
Government Organizations; Other;
Applicant Eligibility
Public Act 103-1066, Effective 2/20/25 “Units of local government that are taxing authorities for a nuclear plant that was decommissioned before January 1, 2021, shall receive grants in proportional shares of $15 per kilogram of spent nuclear fuel stored at such a facility, less any payments made to such communities from the federal government based on the amount of waste stored at a decommissioned nuclear plant and any property tax payments. 75% of grant funds received by taxing authorities must be used for property tax abatement purposes.” [20 ILCS 735/10-20(j)]. It should be pointed out that there is only one nuclear plant, the Zion Nuclear Power Station that is affected by this Public Act 103-1066.
Beneficiary Eligibility
"The direct beneficiaries are those taxing bodies. The indirect beneficiaries are those residents and businesses that are paying taxes to those taxing bodies.
The Ten (10) Taxing Bodies are:
1) City of Zion
2) College of Lake County
3) Lake County
4) Lake County Forest Preserve District
5) North Shore Water Reclamation District
6) Zion Benton Public Library
7) Zion Benton School district #126
8) Zion Park District
9) Zion School District #6
10) Zion Township"
Types of Assistance
Non-competitive
Subject / Service Area
Economic Development
Credentials / Documentation
"1) Taxing Bodies Need to do Their Resolution for Property Tax Yr 2026 qualifying under Section 18-165 of Article 18, Division IV of the Property Tax Code reflecting authorization to use 75% of the grant funds for property tax abatement
2) Complete the NOFO/NFDI
Zion NOFO Supplement - WITH OA EDITS.docx
3) Complete the Uniform Budget with the revised form.
Copy of Budget Establishment FY26 Uniform Hybrid Zion portion of the ETCG grant (NDFI).xlsx"
Preapplication Coordination
No prior coordination is necessary.
Application Procedures
"This being the first year of this grant with the Abatement provision, I would say that we have requested that AS PART of the APPLICATION PACKET at minimum a DRAFT/copy of the Abatement resolution proposed to the taxing entities governing board be included. However, this is NOT required prior to the submission.
1) Taxing Bodies Need to do Their Resolution for Property Tax Yr 2026 qualifying under Section 18-165 of Article 18, Division IV of the Property Tax Code reflecting authorization to use 75% of the grant funds for property tax abatement
2) Complete the NOFO/NFDI
Zion NOFO Supplement - WITH OA EDITS.docx
3) Complete the Uniform Budget with the revised form.
Copy of Budget Establishment FY26 Uniform Hybrid Zion portion of the ETCG grant (NDFI).xlsx"
Criteria Selecting Proposals
Geographical placement is sole criteria. Public Act 103-1066, Effective 2/20/25 “Units of local government that are taxing authorities for a nuclear plant that was decommissioned before January 1, 2021, shall receive grants in proportional shares of $15 per kilogram of spent nuclear fuel stored at such a facility, less any payments made to such communities from the federal government based on the amount of waste stored at a decommissioned nuclear plant and any property tax payments. 75% of grant funds received by taxing authorities must be used for property tax abatement purposes.” [20 ILCS 735/10-20(j)]. It should be pointed out that there is only one nuclear plant, the Zion Nuclear Power Station that is affected by this Public Act 103-1066.
Award Procedures
The formula by which awards are determined can be found here: Public Act 103-1066, Effective 2/20/25 “Units of local government that are taxing authorities for a nuclear plant that was decommissioned before January 1, 2021, shall receive grants in proportional shares of $15 per kilogram of spent nuclear fuel stored at such a facility, less any payments made to such communities from the federal government based on the amount of waste stored at a decommissioned nuclear plant and any property tax payments. 75% of grant funds received by taxing authorities must be used for property tax abatement purposes.” [20 ILCS 735/10-20(j)]. It should be pointed out that there is only one nuclear plant, the Zion Nuclear Power Station that is affected by this Public Act 103-1066.
Deadlines
February 9, 2026 is earliest deadline; can be pushed out a week or so.
Range of Approval or Disapproval Time
15 - 25 business days
Appeals
The Merit Based Review process is subject to appeal. However, competitive grant appeals are limited to the evaluation process. Evaluation scores may not be protested. Only the evaluation process is subject to appeal. The appeal must be submitted in writing to the Department within 14 calendar days from the date of the denial letter. The written appeal shall include the name and address of the appealing party, the identification of the grant and a statement of reasons for the appeal. To file an appeal, applicants must submit the appeal in writing and in accordance with the Merit-Based Application Review Appeals Process listed on the Grant Opportunities page of the DCEO website: https://www2.illinois.gov/dceo/AboutDCEO/GrantOpportunities/Pages/MeritAppReview.aspx.
Renewals
Yes, there can be extensions and renewals for the capital project portion but NOT the Abatement.
Uses and Restrictions
75% of total funds allocated per grantee must be used for property tax abatement. More could be used for abatement or capital programs.
Reports
Standard time intervals of quarterly PPR and PFR
Account Identification
427-42030-4900-0099
Obligations
PY, CY, and BY each around $13m
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
$159k through $5.6m
Program Accomplishments
N/A
Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature
N/A
Regional or Local Assistance Location
IL
Headquarters Office
555 W Monroe St, 12th Floor Chicago, IL 60661, 1011 S 2nd St Springfield, IL 62704, 1020 S Spring St Springfield, IL 62704
Program Website
https://www.illinoisworknet.com/CEJA/Documents/ETCG%20Program%20Flyer_092024.pdf
Example Projects
Improvements to parks, municipal buildings, infrastructure, helped pay for programs and staffing
FUNDING INFORMATION
Federal Funding
None
Notice of Funding Opportunities
| Agency ID | Award Range | Application Range |
ACTIVE AWARDS