Small Business Energy Efficiency Program (Illinois)

Small Business Energy Efficiency Program (Illinois) is sponsored by Illinois Clean Energy Jobs Act (CEJA) / ComEd. This program offers grants, rebates, and funding for renewable energy, efficiency, and energy storage.

SCAM ALERT: DCEO has been made aware of organizations receiving fraudulent “notice of award” letters claiming to be from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. These are not legitimate notices from DCEO. If your organization receives a notice, please report it to the Federal Trade Commission and/or the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center .

Learn about the following CEJA Programs: Climate Pollution Reduction Grant: Clean Building Navigator & Electrification Delivery Program Request for Information (RFI) Equitable Energy Future Grant Program Community Solar Energy Sovereignty Grant Program Energy Transition Community Grant Program Coal to Solar Energy Storage Grant Program Displaced Energy Worker Dependent Transition Scholarship Program For a status of these programs, please visit the CEJA Program Updates and Status page.

Climate Pollution Reduction Grant: Clean Building Navigator & Electrification Delivery Program Request for Information (RFI) The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) is responsible for implementing portions of Climate Pollution Reduction Grant-funded programs, including the Clean Building Navigator (CBN) initiative.

This initiative is designed to support Illinois residents and small businesses in accessing electrification and energy efficiency upgrades by providing guidance, outreach, intake support, contractor coordination, and project navigation services.

The CBN initiative is intended to: Accelerate electrification and energy efficiency deployment Reduce greenhouse gas emissions from buildings Support equitable access to clean energy investments Strengthen Illinois’ clean energy contractor ecosystem Deliver measurable environmental, economic, and community benefits To ensure the program is designed to maximize environmental impact, economic opportunity, and equitable access, this RFI seeks stakeholder input on the structure, roles, qualifications, standards, and systems required for CBN and Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) delivering electrification and retrofit programs.

All RFI Submissions must be completed by March 27, 2026 Download Request For Information (PDF) . Please submit RFI responses to DCEO via the online form .

Equitable Energy Future Grant Program As part of the Jobs and Environmental Justice Grant Program, the Equitable Energy Future Grant Program will provide upfront capital supporting the development of renewable energy and energy efficiency projects benefitting businesses, community organizations, and the workforce in historically disadvantaged communities.

Grants of up to $1 million will be available to contractor businesses to promote renewable energy and energy efficiency projects. Up to $34 million will be allocated annually for this program, subject to appropriation.

Grant funds may be used to support a wide array of activities, including planning and project development, purchasing and leasing of land, permitting and zoning, interconnection application costs, equipment and supplies, community outreach and marketing, and staff and operations expenses.

Eligible applicants include businesses or nonprofit organizations that are equity eligible contractors or businesses/nonprofit organizations who propose projects that meet equity building criteria.

Community Solar Energy Sovereignty Grant Program As part of the Jobs and Environmental Justice Grant Program, the community Solar Energy Sovereignty Grant Program provides grants to municipalities and community organizations to support the predevelopment and development of solar community projects that promote community ownership and energy sovereignty. Up to $8.

5 million will be allocated annually for this program, subject to appropriation. Energy Transition Community Grant Program Grants to communities that have experienced or will experience a fossil fuel or nuclear plant or mine closure. Grant funds can be used to address the economic and social impact on the community of the plant retirement or transition.

Up to $40 million will be allocated annually for this program, subject to appropriation. Coal to Solar Energy Storage Grant Program This program provides incentives to install energy storage facilities at the sites of five former coal plants that are either closed or in the process of closing. A total of $280.

5 million in funding over 10 years is allocated for this program. Displaced Energy Worker Dependent Transition Scholarship Program This program provides assistance to children (including adopted and stepchildren) of eligible displaced energy workers.

It is designed to support students who are deterred from attending or completing an educational program at an Illinois institution because of a parent's layoff from a retiring power plant or a closing coal mine. Tuition and fees at public colleges or community colleges are covered for a period equal to one calendar year, including a summer term, for undergraduate or graduate study.

To apply, fill out the application and submit online through the Program Applications & Status Checks area of the ISAC Student Portal . Applicants must upload proof of the displaced energy worker's loss of employment due to the reduced operation or closure of a fossil fuel power plant or coal mine that occurred on or after September 15, 2016.

To be considered for funds for the full academic year, the application must be submitted to ISAC on or before October 1 st of the academic year for which assistance is being requested. Learn more here . If you have questions or need assistance, please reach out to the ISAC Call Center at 800.

899. ISAC (4722) or isac. studentservices@illinois.

gov . Learn more about CEJA and the programs DCEO is administering by clicking on the links to the left. Connect with a DCEO Representative Locate Your Business In IL Start Your Business in IL