44-8

Provides front-loaded funding of up to $1 million to support development of energy efficiency and renewable energy projects, businesses, community organizations, and job creation benefitting historically disadvantaged populations.

N/A

PA 102-0662, Section 5-60

N/A

The funding is intended to address barriers to project, community, and business development in justice-impacted communities caused by a lack of available capital.

Yes

N/A

Nonprofit Organizations; For-Profit Organizations; Individuals; Small Businesses;

Community-based organizations defined by the National Community-Based Organization Network (NCBON) in the Illinois Power Agency’s 2022 Long-term Plan2 as organizations in which: The majority of the governing body and staff consists of local residents, The main operating offices are in the community, Priority issue areas are identified and defined by residents, Solutions to address priority issues are developed with residents, and Program design, implementation, and evaluation components have residents intimately involved, in leadership positions. A public entity may qualify as a community-based organization, but only if the public entity meets the following requirements: The public entity must represent a municipality or county (or school district, park district, etc.) Priority given to proposed projects located in and supporting an equity investment eligible community or communities; and benefiting participating low-income households. The public entity must certify that no local community-based organizations exist that are capable of filling this role. The public entity must provide the same showing of robust community engagement as a non-public entity would be required to show. Technical service providers working in direct partnership with community-based organizations (as defined in CEJA Section 5-60(e)(4)). The entity must demonstrate robust community engagement and support. A technical service provider can be a solar supplier or installer or business involved in the field of solar energy.

All applicants must demonstrate their ability and intent to create community and other local community benefits through their proposed project. They should have proof of a historical or future, and persisting, long-term partnership with the community in which the project will be located (especially those within Environmental Justice (EJ) and/or R3 communities and/or serving EJ and/or R3 communities) and must demonstrate how the project will benefit that community.

Project Grants

Economic Development

N/A

N/A

A standard application package submitted via the State of Illinois Grant Management System (via a Smartsheet Link to be provided by OA). Each submission must include the following: a Uniform Grant Application in fillable PDF format, with the signature page printed, signed, scanned, and submitted alongside the application. Additionally, a Uniform Budget using the template provided by DCEO for this project must be included. The complete budget, with all worksheets, must be submitted even if some worksheets are not relevant to the grant opportunity. The budget's signature page must also be printed, signed, scanned, and submitted. Furthermore, a Conflict-of-Interest Disclosure and Mandatory Disclosures are required as part of the application materials.

Applications will be graded using the Merit Review Process and scored based on specified criteria. The Department will appoint an Evaluation Committee to review each application. The final applicant score will be the average of all Committee members' scores. Grants will be awarded to the highest scoring applicants, based on a scale determined by DCEO and available funding. Selection is based on a first-come, first-served basis.

Merit Based Review

See NOFO.

See NOFO

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 after the date that the grant award notice has been published. 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.

Extensions as needed

N/A

Uses are open-ended so long as consistent with development of renewable energy resources.

Quarterly Program Performance Reports and Periodic Financial Reports will be required. Higher risk grantees may be subject to additional monitoring and reporting requirements. Program activity data may be tracked through the CPRG reporting platform.

N/A

N/A

427-42030-4900-0099

Estimated annual expenditures of $8.5M

Minimum ($50k); Maximum ($1m)

Solar energy capacity and output, jobs created or supported, and investment leveraged. has context menu

N/A

N/A

555 W Monroe St, 12th Floor Chicago, IL 60661, 1011 S 2nd St Springfield, IL 62704, 1020 S Spring St Springfield, IL 62704

https://dceo.illinois.gov/ceja/other-ceja-programs.html#community-solar

Program Title: Equitable Energy Future Grant Program Popular Name: Equitable Energy Future

N/A

Cost Principles; Indirect Cost Rate; Other;

FY 2024 : $8,500,000
FY 2025 : $8,500,000
FY 2026 : $8,500,000