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PRESS RELEASE: Illinois Power Agency Celebrates Five Years of the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act

Landmark legislation significantly expanded IPA’s work and placed equity at the center of Illinois’ clean energy transition

MEDIA CONTACT:

Jenny Whidden

Media Relations Specialist, Illinois Power Agency

Email: jenny.whidden@illinois.gov

Phone: 312-814-3299

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CHICAGO, Sept. 15, 2026 – Today, the Illinois Power Agency (IPA) celebrates the five-year anniversary of the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA). With the enactment of Public Act 102-0062 on September 15, 2021, Illinois became the first Midwestern state to mandate a clean energy future with an unprecedented focus on equity and labor standards for the clean energy industry.

CEJA tasked the IPA with numerous crucial activities encompassing new requirements for its renewable energy programs and competitive procurements. The legislation also led to a significant overhaul of the Illinois Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS), which is administered by the IPA, expanding state renewable energy goals to 40% by 2030 and 50% by 2040.

Between 2021 and 2025, renewables saw a 58% increase statewide, from 20 million MWh to over 31 million MWh.

"Five years ago, the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act redefined clean energy expansion in Illinois through the lens of equity, creating the foundation for progress we are seeing come to life today,” said IPA Director Brian Granahan. “With tens of thousands of renewable energy projects now bringing power to the grid and thousands more in the pipeline, the Illinois Power Agency is proud to continue working toward CEJA’s vision – a clean energy economy that benefits all Illinoisians.”

Since CEJA’s enactment, the IPA has stewarded significant advancements across its programs and procurements, particularly in the following categories:

Utility-scale renewable energy projects: Since CEJA, the IPA has conducted eight competitive procurement events to support 61 utility-scale renewable energy projects. These include 11 already-energized utility-scale wind, solar, and brownfield solar projects totaling to 912 MW of new renewable energy projects. The procurements yielded an additional 50 projects currently under development, representing over 7,400 MW that will be added to the grid – enough energy to power 2.12 million homes.

Illinois Shines: CEJA expanded the Illinois Shines solar incentive program with larger project sizes and new categories – Public Schools, Community-Driven Community Solar, and Equity Eligible Contractors. Since CEJA, the program has supported over 90,000 on-site and community solar projects across the state, both energized and under development. These projects represent over 3,500 MW of new solar projects.

Illinois Solar for All: CEJA expanded Illinois Solar for All (ILSFA), a solar incentive program benefitting income-eligible households as well as nonprofits and public facilities serving low-income communities. Through CEJA, ILSFA’s utility collection-based funding increased from $11 million per year to $50 million per year, helping to expanding statewide participation as well as grassroots efforts to support general education and job training program outreach. Following CEJA’s directive to support Small and Emerging Businesses (SEBs), the program also introduced targeted resources including a dedicated SEB Team, a SEB Guide, and the SEB Hub. Since CEJA, ILSFA has supported over 3,600 projects representing nearly 110 MW, bringing solar access to income-eligible households and environmental justice communities across the state.

Equity Accountability System: Directed by CEJA, the IPA established an Equity Accountability System (EAS), which introduced the Minimum Equity Standard, the Equity Eligible Contractor (EEC) category within Illinois Shines, the Energy Workforce Equity Portal, and more. The Equity Portal, which helps connect clean energy companies and Equity Eligible Persons (EEPs), has supported 310 clean energy companies, approved 459 jobs, and registered over 4,000 EEPs to date. The EEC category has also seen significant growth, with 173 EECs representing 13% of the total network of participating vendors and designees, as of May 2026.

Carbon Mitigation Credits (CMC): Under CEJA, the IPA developed the Carbon Mitigation Credits (CMC) Procurement initiative, which supports nuclear plant operators in the ComEd region by providing payments when energy and capacity prices are low, and requires operators to credit ratepayers when prices are high. As of August 2026, ComEd ratepayers have received an aggregate credit of over $2.631 billion, offering a critical counterweight against rising electricity costs.

For more information on the IPA’s renewable energy programs and procurements, and how they have grown since CEJA, visit the IPA website or explore the Illinois Clean Energy Dashboard.

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About the Illinois Power Agency

The Illinois Power Agency (IPA) is an independent state agency established under Illinois law in 2007. It is charged with the development and implementation of energy procurement plans for residential and small commercial customers of Illinois electric utilities. The IPA is also responsible for the development and implementation of other procurement plans, including those to support new renewable energy development and the continued operation of nuclear plants. The IPA administers incentive programs and conducts procurements to promote renewable and zero-carbon energy generation to benefit all Illinoisans. Learn more at ipa.illinois.gov.