Alliance members are working to achieve the Paris Agreement’s goal of keeping temperature increases below 1.5 degrees Celsius by reducing emissions, accelerating action, centering equity, and tracking progress. 

Explore Illinois's policies and actions across the Alliance's 10 key policy areas. Numbers presented below only reflect the number of policies in this database and thus may not reflect all climate policies pursued.

illinois

GHG Targets + Governance

Just Transition + Equity

Industry

Pricing Carbon + Valuing Damages

Electricity

Transportation

Resilience

Natural + Working Lands

Climate Finance

Buildings

total

SB 25 - Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act

Governor JB Pritzker joined elected officials and advocates to sign the Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act (CRGA), SB 25, marking a historic measure to lower utility bills for working families while securing Illinois’ long-term energy future. Building upon the Future Energy Jobs Act (FEJA) and the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA), CRGA tackles rising electricity costs driven by private grid operators, expands cost-saving energy resources, and continues to grow Illinois’ clean energy economy across the state.

This pivotal legislation comes as Illinoisans and working families nationwide saw significant increases in electricity bills. With private grid operators hiking rates and the Trump Administration rejecting low-cost, renewable energy options, Illinois is taking decisive action to make energy more affordable and help residents keep the lights on.

CRGA will lower costs by driving the development of new energy resources, enacting new regulatory powers to support consumers, and creating and enhancing consumer cost-saving programs. 

Beginning January 1, 2029, the Environmental Protection Agency shall administer
grants and other forms of financial assistance to support the
electrification of the transportation sector, including
electric passenger vehicles, electric school buses and
electric transit buses, electric medium-duty and heavy-duty
trucks, and electric vehicle charging infrastructure. The
Agency shall also implement customer education and outreach
programs that increase awareness of the programs for and the
benefits of transportation electrification. 

No later than March 1, 2028, and every 3 years
thereafter, the Agency shall publish a draft Transportation
Electrification Plan that specifies the proposed programs and
allocation of funds for the following 3 calendar years.

EV and EV Charging Infrastructure Grants and Financial Assistance Programs

transportation

Executive Order 2026-01: Executive Order to Accelerate New Safe Nuclear Power Generation in Illinois

Governor Pritzker signed Executive Order 2026-01: Executive Order to Accelerate New Safe Nuclear Power Generation in Illinois. The Executive Order directs the Illinois Power Authority, Commerce Commission, and several state agencies to evaluate potential nuclear sites, develop a legal and regulatory framework, and sets a goal of delivering at least two gigawatts of new nuclear capacity. The Executive Order includes a community-focused Notice of Inquiry, allowing locals to indicate interest, requires developers outline community benefits, local workforce partnerships, and economic impacts. Additionally, it directs the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to assess workforce needs and develop a plan to address gaps. 

Office of Energy Awards $7 Million to Enhance Wastewater Treatment Plants Resilience

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Energy announced $7 million in funding through the Resilient Energy for Wastewater Infrastructure Grant Program. The program helps communities, including Environmental Justice communities, assess energy vulnerabilities and implement solar energy systems paired with battery storage. Individual awards range from $200,000 to $2 million, with a match requirement of 25 to 50 percent. 

Public Act 102-16

The State of Illinois passed a law establishing the Employment Barrier Reduction Fund to support low-income individuals in overcoming obstacles to employment. The fund addresses retention challenges by distributing funds for transportation costs, child care needs, purchasing appropriate work clothing, or even emergency housing support.  

Illinois' Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Energy administers the Resilient Energy for Wastewater Infrastructure (REWI) Grant Program, which funds the implementation of solar energy and battery storage at publicly owned wastewater treatment plants. The program leverages funding from the U.S. Department of Energy State Energy Program from supplemental appropriations authorized under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. 