A Sustainable DuPage Webinar
This webinar is all about electric vehicles! Learn about evaluating your needs, fleet assessments, and the tools available for business owners considering a move to electric.
Violeta Ryman, Senior Program Manager
Rahul Chatterjea, Senior Energy Engineer
In this webinar, we discuss how companies owned by women, minorities, veterans, and people who are physically disabled can get certified. By certifying your business, you can open doors to contracts, funding opportunities, and meaningful collaborations.
Rita Haake
Senior Vice President, Choose DuPage
CHICAGO (February 6, 2025) – ComEd today joined a variety of local and industry stakeholders at the annual Chicago Auto Show to announce that it has made $100 million in rebates available to help more customers take steps toward electric vehicles (EVs) in 2025. To reduce upfront cost barriers to EVs, the rebates cover three distinct programs: residential EV charger and installation costs, all-electric fleet vehicles and business and public sector make ready charging infrastructure. ComEd EV investments are available for residential, business and public sector customers, and are designed to equitably provide funding for communities to promote the widespread adoption of EVs in Illinois.
Customers can apply now for a variety of EV rebates at www.comed.com/clean.
“ComEd is focused on ensuring that not only is the grid is equipped for increased electrification, but that our customers and communities have the support needed to navigate the transition to EVs and the benefits they provide for customers as well as the environment,” said Melissa Washington, SVP of Customer Operations and Strategic Initiatives at ComEd. “Building on the success of last year’s rebate programs, ComEd is pleased to launch another $100M that will help customers take steps toward adding at-home L2 charging, fleet EV projects for fleets of any size, and to catalyze more investment in building a network of regional public and private charging to accommodate the growing demand for EVs in northern Illinois.”
Through its 2025 investments, ComEd is making $53 million in rebates available for business and public sector EV fleet purchases, including small businesses pursuing as few as one electric vehicle for commercial use, regardless of small-, medium- or heavy-duty weight class size; and nearly $38 million in rebates available to support infrastructure “make ready” upgrades needed for the installation of public and private Level 2 (L2) and Level 3 (DCFC) charging stations for non-residential customers. Residential customers will have access to nearly $9 million in funding to reduce the upfront costs of purchase and installation of adding at-home L2 charging—with rebates of up to $3,750 per charger.
The funding announcement follows last year’s first-of-its kind announcement to fund EV projects, with ComEd launching nearly $90 million for customers in 2024. Both 2024 and 2025 programs are made available as part of a state mandated program to help more customers take steps toward EVs, a result of the passage of Illinois’ landmark Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA), which calls for having 1 million EVs on the roads by 2030.
“The ComEd rebates that support EV adoption and accelerate the expansion of charging infrastructure are pivotal in driving a sustainable future,” said Megha Lakhchaura State EV Officer of Illinois. “These initiatives will empower consumers to make cleaner choices and support the transition to zero emission transportation.”
All ComEd EV rebate programs put equity front and center, reserving more than half of the total funds for low-income customers and equity-eligible communities, and by offering higher rebates exclusively for low-income customers and for those located in or primarily serving low-income and equity-eligible communities. While EVs provide a wide range of benefits – from reducing emissions to generating fuel cost savings, to spurring economic development – the positive impacts on air quality benefit all communities, especially those most historically impacted by pollution.
“ComEd’s CEJA-enabled programs to get more zero-emission vehicles moving are critical for cutting health-damaging air pollution, particularly in vulnerable communities that face a higher burden from lung disease,” said Brian Urbaszewski, Director of Environmental Health Programs at Respiratory Health Association. “We encourage all eligible applicants to take advantage of this great economic opportunity that will benefit both them and their neighbors.”
Since launching its first ever EV rebates last year, ComEd has seen a significant increase in customer EV projects. To date, ComEd has funded EV expansion projects in more than 300 ZIP codes, helping to propel nearly 3,500 residential and commercial charging L2 and DCFC ports, public and private, as well as the addition of over 200 new and pre-owned EV fleet vehicles for municipal, business customers and school districts. More than half of the funds have been directed to low-income customers and to propel projects in equity-eligible communities.
“We are pleased to see that ComEd’s rebate offers for medium- and heavy-duty vehicles, including electric school buses, are underway and picking up steam,” said Susan Mudd, Senior Policy Advocate at Environmental Law & Policy Center. “Getting kids out of dirty diesel buses and communities having fewer diesel trucks and buses passing through them every day will help kids and adult residents’ lungs and health. With the new federal administration’s threats to numerous air quality programs, ComEd’s program is especially critical, giving school districts the opportunity to provide kids a clean ride to school and others a lifeline to modernize and clean up their vehicle fleets.”
ComEd’s EV investments have coincided with increasing the rate of adoption of EVs in Illinois, with more than 126,000 EVs on state roads today, and the vast majority, more than 112,000 of them, driving in northern Illinois. In addition to funding programs, ComEd facilitates a number of initiatives to support customers in moving toward EVs, and to help communities achieve their own local and regional transportation net-zero emissions goals.
“On behalf of the Chicagoland new-car dealers, we applaud ComEd for propelling the widespread adoption of electrified vehicles in Illinois,” said Chicago Automobile Trade Association President Jennifer Morand. “As EV adoption continues to grow in Illinois, local new-car dealers are committed to supporting the revolution by offering a variety of all-electric, hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles to consumers as well as provide much needed education.”
ComEd has teamed up with the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus in developing a first of its kind training for municipalities and local governments, called the EV Readiness program, helping them to create local ordinances, safety, and infrastructure plans designed to accommodate the growing demand for EVs in their communities. Since that time more than 41 local governments in northern Illinois have been reached by the program, receiving assistance with creating local policy to ensure safe and effective regional transportation electrification.
“ComEd’s support of our EV Readiness Program and commitment to expanding EV adoption and infrastructure has been a game-changes for the communities we serve,” said Kevin Burns, Metropolitan Mayors Caucus Chairman of the Environment and Energy Committee and Immediate Past Executive Board Chairman. “By supporting our local initiatives to advance policies and build infrastructure for a sustainable future, ComEd’s investments will play a key role in reducing emissions, improving air quality and ensuring an equitable transition to clean transportation across northern Illinois.”
To ease the customer experience, ComEd offers Fleet Electrification Assessments, along with a make ready rebate reservation program, giving charging project developers certainty on available funding awaiting when they complete their projects, created a fleet EV Point of Sale program in partnership with more than 70 area auto dealers and manufacturers to qualify for fleet rebates for new and pre-owned vehicles at the time of purchase and established an EV Service Provider Network, comprised of over 84 local businesses certified to install EV charging infrastructure, providing customers a go-to list of contractors to call when they are planning to add charging infrastructure.
“Being a part of the ComEd Energy Efficiency program and the Electric Vehicle Service Providers network has been a blessing and life changing experience both personally and professionally,” said Ed West, president and owner of Veterans Energy. “This partnership has been critical to the growth of my business, and I look forward to the Veterans Energy team helping more EV-interested customers in northern Illinois qualify for expanded ComEd EV rebates that will help build their projects and go green in the coming year.”
To review eligibility requirements and to apply for EV funding, customers are encouraged to visit ComEd’s website.
The Illinois Green Business Association has partnered with Intuit, the maker of Quickbooks, and the Green Business Engagement National Network (GBENN) to offer energy efficiency and electrification grants up to $1,000 for 45 businesses in Illinois!
It’s a great time for small businesses to reduce utility costs! There are many qualifying projects, including LED lighting upgrades, EV charging stations, HVAC maintenance, and much more. Participating businesses can also leverage the ComEd Energy Efficiency Program incentives to sweeten the funding towards an energy project too.
To qualify for the grant, Illinois businesses must:
Businesses can apply here: https://forms.gle/zsGA1vAMaqayMxNw6.
More information about the program can be found on the GBENN website here: https://gbenn.org/green-business-grants/.
Grant applications are now open and being accepted through April 7, 2025 for the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity’s OE3 Small Business Capital and Infrastructure Grant Program. These grants will provide funding to small businesses owned by Socially and Economically Disadvantaged Individuals (SEDI) or Very Small Businesses (VSBs) with 25 or fewer permanent full-time employees.
The grants range from $10,000-$245,000 and will support initiatives that drive business growth, enhance operational efficiency, promote sustainability, and create or retain jobs. This funding opportunity is through the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Office of Economic Equity & Empowerment (OE3).
Application must be submitted by Monday, April 7, 2025, at 5 pm.
Tuesday | January 14, 2025 | 11 am | Register here (in English)
Tuesday | January 14, 2025 | 2 pm | Register here (in Spanish)
Employers are doing everything they can to attract and retain good workers. But the biggest factor in an employee’s success is also one of the hardest to manage: mental health.
In our latest episode, host Greg Bedalov joins Dr. Lindsey Harrington and Gina Sharp of Endeavor Health to talk about mental health in the modern workplace.
Why is it so important? What’s changed in recent years? How do new technologies and ways of working impact our health? And, most importantly, how can employers create an environment that puts employee wellness first?
To keep up with what’s happening in DuPage County and the Chicagoland region, follow Choose DuPage on social media or visit ChooseDuPage.com/Ready.
In March 2024, the ICC initiated a statewide Future of Gas proceeding that will commence with public workshops to develop a detailed action plan for Illinois gas utilities’ future infrastructure investments. The Future of Gas proceeding will evaluate the impacts of Illinois’ current decarbonization and electrification goals on the natural gas system.
The main goal of the proceeding is to explore issues tied to decarbonization of the gas distribution system, including how the gas system may need to adapt. Additionally, the proceeding will develop recommendations for any future Commission action and any necessary legislative changes.
To increase transparency and remedy an information asymmetry between the gas companies, the ICC, and interested stakeholders, the Commission has directed each gas utility to file Long-Term Gas Infrastructure Plans on a biennial basis beginning in mid-2025. These infrastructure plans should be designed to include information related to the gas utilities’ internal decision making.
Most Chicagoland residents have heard of Argonne National Laboratory, the DuPage County-based U.S. Department of Energy facility. But what many don’t realize is that Argonne is teaming up with manufacturers to develop groundbreaking projects at-scale, from EV batteries to carbon capture tech.
For today’s episode, host Greg Bedalov sits down with Chris Heckle, Director of the Materials Manufacturing Innovation Center, to discuss the transformative work happening at Argonne—and the collaboration behind it.
Dive Deeper:
A special thanks to the College of DuPage for supporting today’s episode. To keep up with what’s happening in DuPage County and the Chicagoland region, follow Choose DuPage on social media or visit ChooseDuPage.com/Ready.
Today’s biggest business issues, told from a Chicagoland perspective. A podcast about emerging industries, shifting borders, economic ecosystems, and you. Featuring experts and entrepreneurs. Hosted by Greg Bedalov, President & CEO of Choose DuPage. DuPage Business Beat is produced by Choose DuPage.
ComEd launching $87 million in new rebates to incentivize expansion of electric vehicle charging, bring greater access to zero-emissions vehicles for communities throughout the region
CHICAGO (February 8, 2024) – As part of a larger investment to accelerate an equitable adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) in northern Illinois, ComEd is launching two new business and public sector EV rebate programs. New programs will provide a total of $87 million this year to help reduce upfront costs of all-electric commercial and public sector fleet vehicle purchases and incentivize the buildout of more business and public charging across the region.
ComEd today joined a diverse mix of environmental, community, industry, and municipal stakeholders in announcing its newest EV rebates from the annual Chicago Auto Show, held at McCormick Place. The two new EV rebate programs will begin accepting applications on February 15, 2024, with funds awarded on a first come, first served basis. New EV rebates for businesses and public sector customers follows the recent launch of the EV Charger and Installation Rebate Program for residential customers, for which customer can apply for by visiting ComEd.com/Clean.
“Working with our partners in northern Illinois, ComEd is committed to helping customers benefit from zero emissions vehicles, which can significantly reduce pollution and enhance air quality for all residents across our communities,” said Erica Borggren, ComEd Vice President of Customer Solutions. “Through new targeted incentives, we are aiming to accelerate the transition toward all-electric fleets, cars, buses, and trucks, while at the same time catalyzing the buildout of a regional network of public EV charging to serve more customers – a key factor to growing EV adoption equitably.”
New programs launching in 2024 include a total of $87 million for business and public sector EV initiatives. This year, $57 million in rebates will be available for business and public sector EV purchases, and $30 million in rebates are available to support electrical infrastructure “make ready” upgrades needed for the installation of publicly available Level 2 and Level 3 charging stations. Level 2 chargers can charge an EV battery 6 to 8 times faster than charging from a wall outlet, often referred to as a Level 1 charger. Level 3 chargers, often referred to as Direct Current Fast Charging (DCFC) can charge a typical EV battery in less than one hour.
More than half of all rebate funding is reserved to help boost EV investment in equity-eligible communities, and with higher levels of rebates reserved for customers located in, driving, or doing business in low-income and equity-eligible communities. 2
“Under Governor Pritzker’s leadership, the state of Illinois is leading an EV revolution, delivering incentives and enabling significant expansion of our EV charging network so more residents can take advantage of environmental and air quality benefits of zero emissions vehicles,” said Megha Lakhchaura, EV Officer for the state of Illinois. “ComEd’s new EV programs complement state and federal incentives designed to boost EV adoption and charging buildout on a larger scale. This means more school districts, transit agencies, local governments and small and large businesses and their surrounding communities can access the benefits of EVs.”
Specifically, funding amounts and eligibility for the two new ComEd rebate programs for business and public sector customers to support large-scale EV adoption are as follows:
New investments to accelerate EV adoption in the region complement statewide plans to boost EV adoption in Illinois – a key focus as part of the state’s Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA), which sets a goal of putting 1 million EVs on state roads by 2030. EV ownership has increased in recent years, with 80,000 vehicles driving in northern Illinois today, up from just 17,000 in 2019. ComEd programs build on state and federal programs designed to reduce upfront costs to vehicle purchase, and to reduce range anxiety through the expansion of a network of charging serving more communities.
The new rebate programs announced today are geared toward business and public sector customers, including:
The programs will accept applications from a broad range of business and public sector customers, including small and large businesses, local government, school districts, and transit authorities.
“ComEd’s investments to expand EV adoption will support our regional efforts to address climate change and enhance air quality by reducing tailpipe emissions,” said Kevin Burns, Metropolitan Mayors Caucus Chairman of the Executive Board, Environmental Committee and Energy Subcommittee. “New rebate programs from ComEd will 3
complement the work our local governments are doing to develop infrastructure, policy and to lay the framework for an equitable EV future here in northern Illinois.”
“With dangerous air pollution still a regional challenge and with the burdens of asthma weighing more heavily on lower income communities, this new EV program will help reduce air pollution from the largest source in northern Illinois and make owning a clean, zero-emission vehicle more affordable precisely where they can provide the greatest health benefits,” said Brian Urbaszewski, Director of Environmental Health Programs at Respiratory Health Association.
EVs provide numerous benefits for customers. Not only do they offer fuel and maintenance cost savings and performance benefits, but communities can experience broad environmental improvements from reduced tailpipe emissions. Additionally, electrifying transportation—including cars, trucks, school buses and public transit fleets—can create tangible health benefits for all communities and families across northern Illinois, especially communities which have traditionally borne the brunt of climate change and air pollution.
“The Environmental Law & Policy Center is especially encouraged that school districts can get ComEd assistance with electric school buses and charging equipment,” said Susan Mudd, Senior Policy Advocate at the Environmental Law & Policy Center. “This is an equity issue as more low-income families rely upon bus transportation to safely get their children to and from school than higher-income families. We know that electric school buses provide a zero-emission ride to and from school, which means children are not exposed to asthma-inducing fumes. The quieter electric buses also mean students arrive at school calmer and more ready to learn.”
“ComEd’s ongoing commitment to advancing electrification is vital for reducing carbon emissions, improving health, and creating financial benefits for all communities in Illinois,” said Nate Baguio, Senior Vice President of Commercial Development at Lion Electric. “As a regional partner of ComEd’s, we recognize the importance of clean energy transportation programs, which are further amplified by state and federal investments such as the Reimagining Energy and Vehicles in Illinois Act (REV), Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA) and EPA Clean School Bus Program.”
“The launch of ComEd’s new EV rebates will make a big difference in helping low-income and environmental justice communities play a direct role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions,” said Billy Davis, Co-Founder, General Manager, Jitney EV, LLC. “By reserving half of all funding for equity eligible communities, ComEd is enabling a more just and equitable transition toward EVs and will incentivize more sustainable investment and cleaner air for the communities that need it most.”
ComEd’s new rebates take into consideration the large upfront costs associated with commercial grade electric vehicle purchase. ComEd also intends to work with local auto dealers to establish a process in 2024 that seeks to enable pre-approved rebate vouchers that can be applied at the point of purchase.
“ComEd’s new EV rebate programs mark a significant step in advancing sustainable transportation. Through providing substantial rebates for residential, commercial and public 4
sector charging, and fleet electrification with a focus on addressing financial barriers and communities in northern Illinois most impacted by pollution, ComEd demonstrates its dedication to enhancing accessibility to electric vehicles and beneficial electrification,” said Samantha Bingham, Coordinator of the Illinois Alliance for Clean Transportation. “The Illinois Alliance for Clean Transportation applauds ComEd’s rebate initiative and its broader efforts in advancing energy sustainability in the U.S. by facilitating clean fuel adoption and accessible charging infrastructure.”
New investments to support EV adoption at scale builds on existing ComEd programs to assist customers with electric fleet and charging infrastructure planning. This includes customized fleet assessments, as well as the recent launch of a new ComEd Fleet Toolkit at www.comed.com/EVbiz. The Fleet Toolkit can be used to develop a comprehensive estimate of the cost of converting a fleet, and to determine the optimum rate plan, charging times, and charging equipment for a fleet electrification project of any size. The Toolkit also contains a “EV Load Capacity Map” to help customers plan where to install charging infrastructure, based on estimated available load capacity.
To learn more about how ComEd is helping customers plan their journey to an EV, visit www.comed.com/ev. For more information on eligibility and to apply for new EV rebates on or after February 15th, visit www.comed.com/clean.
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ComEd is a unit of Chicago-based Exelon Corporation (NASDAQ: EXC), a Fortune 250 energy company with approximately 10 million electricity and natural gas customers – the largest number of customers in the U.S. ComEd powers the lives of more than 4 million customers across northern Illinois, or 70 percent of the state’s population. For more information visit ComEd.com, and connect with the company on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X, and YouTube.
The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity has issued the following Notices of Funding Opportunity:
The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity is issuing a Notice of Funding Opportunity to provide grants for the purpose of attracting, hosting and developing new events and festivals in Illinois or enhancing existing festivals and events. Grantees must be able to match grant award dollar-for dollar; however, up to 25% of the required match may be substituted with in-kind contributions. Costs associated with hosting existing or repeat events and festivals will not be eligible unless documentation can be provided that the event was secured in direct competition with other states or significant enhancements will be made to the event or festival to increase the attendance from travel outside 50 miles.
Applications are due December 4, 2023. Click here to view the NOFO and application documents.
The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity is issuing this Notice of Funding Opportunity to provide grants to assist in the development or improvement of tourism attractions that increase the economic impact of tourism throughout the State. Grantees must be able to match grant dollars as described in the NOFO.
Applications are due December 18, 2023. Click here to view the NOFO and application documents.