Search Federal and State Laws and Incentives

Smart Grid Infrastructure Development and Support

The Illinois Science and Energy Innovation Trust (Trust) will provide financial and technical support to public and private entities within the state for programs and projects that support, encourage, or utilize innovative technologies and methods to modernize the state’s electric grid. Technologies may include advanced electricity storage and peak-shaving technologies, such as electric vehicles (EV) or devices that allow EVs to engage in smart grid functions. The Trust also offers assistance for standards development for communication and interoperability of appliances and equipment connected to the electric grid. Electric utilities may voluntarily commit to investments in smart grid advanced metering infrastructure deployment. Participating utilities must consult with the Smart Grid Advisory Council and file a Smart Grid Advanced Metering Infrastructure Deployment Plan with the Illinois Commerce Commission.

(Reference 220 Illinois Compiled Statutes 5/16-108.5 through 108.7)

Diesel Emission Reduction Grants

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) administers the Driving a Cleaner Illinois program for diesel emission reduction projects. Projects are funded by Illinois’ portion of the Volkswagen Environmental Mitigation Trust, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Diesel Emission Reduction Act (DERA) Program, and the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration’s Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement (CMAQ) Program. For more information, including funding availability, see the IEPA Driving a Cleaner Illinois website.

Transportation Electrification Infrastructure Projects

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) will provide transportation electrification grants of $70,000,000 for, but not limited to, electric vehicle charging infrastructure. The IEPA will prioritize investments in medium- and heavy-duty vehicle charging, and electrification of public transit, fleets, and school buses.

(Reference Public Act 101-0029)

Illinois' National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Planning

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) NEVI Formula Program requires the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) to submit an EV Infrastructure Deployment Plan (Plan) to the DOT and U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Joint Office by August 1, 2022, describing how the state intends to distribute NEVI funds. Plans must be established according to NEVI guidance.

For more information about Illinois’ NEVI planning process, see the IDOT Drive Electric Illinois website. For more information about Illinois’ NEVI plan, see the Joint Office’s State Plans for EV Charging website.