Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program

Peoria County

Award: $100,000

Peoria County plans to build its existing Sustainability Plan (last updated in 2021) by conducting a comprehensive building study and energy audit. This assessment will address mechanical, electrical, plumbing, structural, environmental, and space utilization components to provide an updated understanding of energy use across systems. The overarching goal is to identify, prioritize, implement, and evaluate strategies that enhance energy efficiency, increase energy savings, and support the generation of renewable energy for the benefit of the county and its community.

Jackson County

Award- $249,000

Jackson County will establish the Jackson County Energy Efficiency Committee to begin stakeholder engagement and review findings from the August 2023 county-wide building assessment. These initial steps will form the foundation for developing the Jackson County Government’s Energy Plan. The plan will include:

·A list of key stakeholders,

·An overview of the county’s energy profile,

·An assessment of current energy use across county assets (including buildings and infrastructure),

·Benchmarking of historical energy consumption,

·Clearly defined goals and strategies for future energy reductions, and

·A comprehensive list of energy efficiency and/or renewable energy projects, each with associated timelines and milestones.

The overarching goal is to identify, prioritize, implement, and evaluate actionable solutions that increase energy savings, expand renewable energy generation, and improve energy efficiency for Jackson County and its residents. Jackson County also identified energy efficiency upgrades during a recent survey at the Jackson County Jail. These upgrades include replacing rooftop exhaust fans and retrofitting flush valves.

McLean County

Award- $200,000

McLean county will build data from a 2015 energy use study and resume the 2019 community energy strategic planning process to identify and prioritize emissions reduction strategies while initiating stakeholder engagement. These foundational steps will guide the development of the McLean County Government’s Energy Plan, which will include:

·A list of key stakeholders,

·An overview of the county’s energy profile,

·An assessment of current energy use across county assets (including buildings and infrastructure),

·Benchmarking of historical energy consumption,

·Clear goals and strategies for future energy reductions, and

·A comprehensive list of energy efficiency and/or renewable energy projects with defined timelines and milestones.

The overall objective is to identify, prioritize, implement, and evaluate solutions that increase energy savings, promote renewable energy generation, and improve energy efficiency for McLean County and its residents. McLean County also identified energy efficiency upgrades during a recent survey at the McLean County Health Department building. These upgrades include lighting enhancements, installation of lighting controls, and implementation of a decentralized domestic hot water system.

Village of Ford Heights

Award- $212,300                                                         

The Village of Ford Heights will leverage existing relationships and build upon previous engagement efforts to initiate the stakeholder engagement process through collaborative planning. This initial step will lay the groundwork for developing the Village of Ford Height’s Energy Plan, which will include:

·A list of key stakeholders,

·An overview of the village’s energy profile,

·An assessment of current energy use across village assets (including buildings and other facilities),

·A benchmark of historical energy consumption,

·Established goals and strategies for future energy reductions, and

·A comprehensive list of energy efficiency and/or renewable energy projects, complete with timelines and milestones.

The overall goal of the Energy Plan is to identify, prioritize, implement, and evaluate solutions that increase energy savings, promote renewable energy generation, and improve energy efficiency for Ford Heights and its residents.

Village of Lincolnwood

Award- $240,000

The Village of Lincolnwood will build on existing relationships and previous engagement efforts to launch the stakeholder engagement process through collaborative planning. This initial step will form the foundation for developing the Village of Lincolnwood’s Energy Plan, which will include:

·A list of key stakeholders,

·An overview of the village’s energy profile,

·An assessment of current energy use across village assets (including buildings and other facilities),

·A benchmark of historical energy consumption,

·Defined goals and strategies for future energy reductions, and

·A comprehensive list of energy efficiency and renewable energy projects with associated timelines and milestones.

The primary objective of the Energy Plan is to identify, prioritize, implement, and evaluate solutions that increase energy savings, promote renewable energy generation, and improve energy efficiency for Lincolnwood and its residents.

City of Carbondale

Award- $385,507.55

The City of Carbondale will develop a comprehensive, citywide Strategic Energy Plan that includes:

·Identification of key stakeholders,

·A complete greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions inventory at both community and municipal scales, with a focus on high-impact reduction strategies,

·An assessment of current energy use across all city assets (including buildings and infrastructure),

·Benchmarking of historical energy consumption,

·A detailed list of potential energy efficiency and renewable energy projects, and

·Forecasts of future grid demands and opportunities for energy reduction.

The primary goal of the Energy Plan is to identify, prioritize, implement, and evaluate strategies that enhance energy efficiency, reduce GHG emissions, increase renewable energy generation, and maximize energy savings for Carbondale and its residents.

The City of Carbondale will also conduct comprehensive energy audits on 16 city-owned sites, and will proceed with contracting immediate, actionable energy efficiency upgrades identified in the 2025/2026 audits. Potential upgrades may include but are not limited to: installation of energy-efficient lighting, insulation, weather sealing, window and door retrofits, HVAC or Building Automation System (BAS) modifications or upgrades, purchase and installation of energy-efficient commercial appliances and equipment, and pump or motor retrofits. Upgrades will be prioritized based on community use and function, with a particular focus on emergency and resiliency infrastructure that supports shelter, communication, and other critical emergency services.

City of Colona

Award- $30,000

The City of Colona will create a comprehensive, community-wide Strategic Energy Plan. This plan will:

·Identify key stakeholders,

·Catalog current energy consumption, sources, and users,

·Establish baseline energy data for Village assets,

·Benchmark historical energy usage,

·Provide a detailed list of potential energy efficiency and renewable energy projects, and

·Identify the resources needed to implement and sustain energy reduction strategies.

The overarching goal is to identify, prioritize, implement, and evaluate energy solutions that enhance efficiency, generate renewable energy, and maximize energy savings for both the City of Colona and its residents.

City of East St. Louis 

Award- $384,975

The City of East St. Louis will create a comprehensive, community-wide Strategic Energy Plan. This plan will:

·Identify key stakeholders,

·Catalog current energy consumption, sources, and users,

·Establish baseline energy data for Village assets,

·Benchmark historical energy usage,

·Provide a detailed list of potential energy efficiency and renewable energy projects, and

·Identify the resources needed to implement and sustain energy reduction strategies.

The overarching goal is to identify, prioritize, implement, and evaluate energy solutions that enhance efficiency, generate renewable energy, and maximize energy savings for both East St. Louis and its residents.

The City of East St. louis will also conduct a retro-commissioning (RCX) study on a municipal building owned by the Grantee, and proceed with contracting immediate, actionable energy efficiency upgrades identified in the RCX study. Potential upgrades may include but are not limited to: installation of energy-efficient lighting, insulation, weather sealing, Building Automation System (BAS) upgrades, and HVAC system improvements. These upgrades will be prioritized based on the building’s community use and purpose, as well as the overall cost savings and energy reduction potential.

Village of Broadview

Award- $149,000

Village of Broadview will develop a comprehensive, community-wide Strategic Energy Plan that includes:

·Identification of key stakeholders,

·Baseline energy data for Village assets,

·Carbon-free facility assessments of K–12 school buildings,

·Energy audits of additional public institutions, such as park district facilities,

·Benchmarking of historical energy usage,

·A detailed list of potential energy efficiency and renewable energy projects,

·A catalog of existing electricity contracts and future procurement opportunities, and

·Identification of federal, state, and local grants and financing programs to support the implementation of the plan's strategies.

The overarching goal of the Energy Plan is to identify, prioritize, implement, and evaluate actionable solutions that increase energy savings, expand the use of renewable energy, and improve energy efficiency for Broadview and its residents.

Village of Itasca

Award- $48,500

The Village of Itasca will create a comprehensive, community-wide Strategic Energy Plan. This plan will:

·Identify key stakeholders,

·Catalog current energy consumption, sources, and users,

·Establish baseline energy data for Village assets,

·Benchmark historical energy usage,

·Provide a detailed list of potential energy efficiency and renewable energy projects, and

·Identify the resources needed to implement and sustain energy reduction strategies.

The overarching goal is to identify, prioritize, implement, and evaluate energy solutions that enhance efficiency, generate renewable energy, and maximize energy savings for both Itasca and its residents.

Village of Westchester

Award- $40,000

The Village of Westchester will create a comprehensive, community-wide Strategic Energy Plan. This plan will:

·Identify key stakeholders,

·Catalog current energy consumption, sources, and users,

·Establish baseline energy data for Village assets,

·Benchmark historical energy usage,

·Provide a detailed list of potential energy efficiency and renewable energy projects, and

·Identify the resources needed to implement and sustain energy reduction strategies.

The overarching goal is to identify, prioritize, implement, and evaluate energy solutions that enhance efficiency, generate renewable energy, and maximize energy savings for both the Village and its residents.

City of Rochelle 

Award- $150,000

The city of Rochelle will develop a comprehensive, community-wide Strategic Energy Plan. This plan will include

·Identification of key stakeholders,

·Catalog current energy consumption, sources, and users,

·Establish baseline energy data for City-owned assets, and

·Benchmark historical energy usage. 

·Provide a detailed list of potential energy efficiency and renewable energy projects, and

·Identify the resources needed to implement and sustain energy reduction strategies.

The primary goals of the Energy Plan are to identify, prioritize, implement, and evaluate initiatives that enhance energy efficiency, reduce overall energy consumption, and expand the use of renewable energy—ultimately benefiting both the City of Rochelle and its residents.

Crawford County

Award- $356,750

Crawford County will develop a comprehensive county-wide Strategic Energy Plan that includes:

·A list of key stakeholders,

·A catalog of existing energy consumption, sources, and users,

·Baseline energy data for county assets,

·A benchmark of historical energy use,

·A comprehensive inventory of potential energy efficiency and renewable energy projects, and

·Identification of resources required to achieve future energy reductions and implement strategies.

The primary goals of the plan are to identify, prioritize, implement, and evaluate solutions that increase energy savings, promote renewable energy generation, and improve energy efficiency for Crawford County and its community.

Crawford County will also conduct a comprehensive energy audit of the Crawford County Courthouse. They will initiate immediate, actionable energy efficiency (EE) upgrades identified in the 2025–2026 audit. Potential EE improvements may include but are not limited to: installation of energy-efficient lighting; insulation installation; weather sealing; window and door retrofits; upgrades or modifications to the HVAC system or building automation system (BAS); purchase and installation of energy-efficient commercial appliances or equipment; and retrofitting of pumps and motors. These upgrades will be prioritized based on the courthouse's role in community services, with a focus on supporting emergency and resiliency infrastructure such as shelter relief, communications, and other essential emergency operations.

Village of Riverside 

Award- $27,400

The City of Riverside will develop a comprehensive, community-wide Strategic Energy Plan. This plan will:

·Identify key stakeholders

·Catalog current energy consumption patterns, sources, and end users, 

·Establish baseline energy data for Village-owned assets,

·Benchmark historical energy usage,

·Outline a detailed list of potential energy efficiency and renewable energy projects, and

·Identify the resources required to achieve long-term energy reductions and implement strategic initiatives.

The overarching goals of the Energy Plan are to identify, prioritize, implement, and assess solutions that enhance energy efficiency, increase energy savings, and support the generation of renewable energy—benefiting both the city and neighboring communities in Cook County.

Village of Richton Park

Award- $250,000

The Village of Richton Park will conduct a comprehensive energy audit of the Richton Park Community Center, a 14,000-square-foot facility. Richton Park will proceed with contracting immediate, actionable energy efficiency (EE) upgrades identified in the 2025–2026 audit. Potential EE improvements may include but are not limited to: the demolition and removal of one (1) rooftop unit—including its VAV/zone controller and modules—and the supply and installation of one (1) gas-fired, DX, variable volume rooftop HVAC unit. This will also involve the installation of new gas piping, VAV modules, conduit, breaker panel, and an upgraded building automation system. Energy efficiency upgrades are prioritized because of the building’s role in serving the community, with a focus on supporting emergency and resiliency infrastructure, such as shelter relief, communications, and other critical emergency services.