Illinois

Carbon-free buildings

Illinois city passes law to slash emissions from big buildings

Evanston is the latest in a growing wave of municipalities and states enacting laws to decarbonize existing buildings, a major source of planet-warming emissions.

By Akielly Hu . 27 March 2025
Electric vehicles

Chicago community group advances EVs, despite federal setbacks

The Bronzeville Community Development Partnership is working to foster clean transportation innovation in a historic hub for electric vehicles.

By Audrey Henderson . 14 March 2025
Utilities

Time-based rates convince Chicago-area residents to shift electricity use

ComEd is the latest major utility to adopt voluntary time-of-use rates, which can save residents — particularly EV owners — money on their energy bills.

By Kari Lydersen . 12 March 2025
Clean energy

Illinois proves states have a lot of power to advance clean energy

The state is working on its third major climate bill in the last decade, after the past two propelled solar deployment and clean jobs.

By Kathryn Krawczyk . 7 March 2025
Transmission

After groundbreaking bills on jobs and solar, Illinois tackles the grid

State lawmakers are pushing for more grid-enhancing tech, gigawatts of new energy storage, and the creation of a virtual power plant program.

By Kari Lydersen . 3 March 2025
Electric vehicles

Electric school buses could help power Illinois’ grid

ComEd is preparing a vehicle-to-grid pilot program in which school districts will sell power to the grid by discharging parked electric school bus batteries.

By Kari Lydersen . 26 February 2025
Electric vehicles

Illinois’ largest utility unveils $100M to spur EV adoption

ComEd rolled out the new incentives, which support fleet purchases and charging infrastructure upgrades, in the run-up to the Chicago Auto Show.

By Audrey Henderson . 11 February 2025
Transmission

Illinois considers state incentives for transmission projects

Renewable energy credits, which have fueled the state’s solar boom, could now help finance new merchant transmission lines.

By Kari Lydersen . 22 January 2025
Carbon-free buildings

In Chicago, all city buildings now use 100 percent clean power

Chicago is one of several U.S. cities that are taking advantage of their bulk-buying power to spur new carbon-free energy development and meet climate targets.

By Juanpablo Ramirez-Franco . 10 January 2025
ENN

Department of Energy funding to boost community-led geothermal projects

Chicago and Boston nonprofits focused on an equitable transition from fossil fuels are among the five recipients.

By Audrey Henderson . 20 December 2024