The Thriving Communities Webinar Series, kicking off in January 2024, is a part of University of Illinois Extension’s effort to build capacity for technical assistance and education aimed to help communities navigate energy- and environment-related federal grant application systems, provide guidance on community inclusion, and lead community-specific strategic planning. This outreach should help communities secure and administer funding to address legacy pollution and invest in clean energy technologies. Access previous webinar recordings.
Illinois Climate Bank
Tuesday, May 21 at 12 PM CT / 1 PM ET
The Illinois Finance Authority (IFA) was recently designated as the Illinois Climate Bank. In this role, they are providing funding and programs for communities to advance clean energy and climate resilience.
On this webinar, representatives of the Illinois Climate Bank will present ongoing and future opportunities, including:
- The IFA has established a new Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) Program. C-PACE is an innovative financing structure allowing building owners to borrow money for energy efficiency, renewable energy, and other projects and make repayments via an assessment of their property tax bill. In 2023 and 2024 four counties and 14 municipalities have worked with the IFA to adopt a C-PACE ordinance to bring this IFA opportunity to their communities. Learn how your community can do the same.
- In its role as the Climate Bank, the IFA has secured funding from the Department of Energy to create a new Grid Resilience Grants Funding Opportunity. The IFA will be receiving $8 million/year for the next five years to invest in projects. Funds can be used for a variety of investments, including microgrids, weatherization, and automation.
- Illinois Climate Bank Bridge Loan program for solar and energy efficiency.
- Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Program Funding for Illinois.
- The State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) is a participation loan program that assists small businesses in Illinois in financing small-scale climate projects, including renewable energy, clean air/water, EV charging, and more by offering up to $2 million of the loan at a very low-interest rate. Applicable borrowers for this program include Socially and Economically Disadvantaged Individuals (“SEDI”) & Very Small Businesses (“VSBs”).
- Details and updates on other applications for energy, clean transportation, and climate funding.