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A Resolution Authorizing the Submission of an Illinois Finance Authority Illinois Solar for All Expansion: Residential Solar Outreach Grant for Outreach and Assistance to Income-qualified Households with a Requested Funding Amount of $295,000.
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Introduction
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Approval of a Resolution to authorize the submission of a grant through the Illinois Finance Authority titled Illinois Solar For All Expansion: Residential Solar Outreach Grant in the amount of $295,000.
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Recommended Action
Staff recommends the adoption of the resolution.
Prior Board Action
There is no prior Board action associated with this item.
Background
On May 19, 2025, the Village submitted a grant proposal for $295,000 for the Illinois Solar for All Expansion: Residential Solar Outreach Grant issued by the Illinois Finance Authority. The grant proposal recommended building outreach and assistance related to the Illinois Solar For All’s (ILSFA) Residential Solar (Small) program into the One-Stop Shop currently under development. The ILSFA Residential Solar (Small) program installs solar photovoltaic systems for income-eligible households in buildings of four units or less. The program is available to both owner-occupied and renter-occupied units.
Board Goal 5.1.d.ii. states “Revise the current Village’s housing rehabilitation programs to a multi-year program to encompass electrification, renewable energy, climate resiliency, and healthy housing retrofits for highly vulnerable community members to maintain affordability.” The ILSFA program provides an opportunity for lower-income households to access the benefits of renewable energy without the barrier of upfront costs.
Village staff from Sustainability and Neighborhood Services have been working on the development of an energy efficiency and electrification One-Stop Shop to help address identified barriers to electrification for residents, provide guidance, and facilitate connections to existing incentive and assistance programs. On June 2, 2025, a Request for Qualification for a firm to develop and administer the One-Stop Shop closed. Once a firm is selected and if the grant is awarded, grant funds will be used to build out specific education and outreach related to identifying ILSFA-eligible households and assisting with program enrollment. Grant funds will also be used to make small repairs necessary before installing solar panels.
Timing Considerations
Village Staff submitted the grant application on May 19, 2025. Grant awards will be announced in mid-June. The Village will select a firm to develop and administer the One-Stop Shop in June or July. One-Stop Shop development, including the integration of ILSFA programming, will begin in August. The grant-funded project will last two years, completing in July 2027.
Budget Impact
There is no match requirement associated with the grant.
For Fiscal Year 2025, there is $300,000 associated with the One-Stop Shop in GL# 2310.41020.101.570852.0000.
Staffing Impact
Staff from the Office of Sustainability and Neighborhood Services will be engaged with the development and administration of the One-Stop Shop. Should the grant be awarded, the workflow would be incorporated into the One-Stop Shop and existing rehabilitation and energy efficiency grant programs.
Sustainability Staff does not anticipate spending more than 50 hours on the administration of the grant should it be awarded.
DEI Impact
The ILSFA program provides access to renewable energy to low-income households who may not otherwise be able to participate. The proposed grant-funded program is designed to reduce barriers to participation in ILSFA by providing targeted outreach and assisting in completing income verification and other application forms. In addition, the proposed program reduces barriers to participation by creating funding for repairs necessary before installing solar photovoltaic systems. By connecting the ILSFA outreach and assistance program within the One-Stop Shop, the proposed program will also be able to identify households eligible for other income-qualified programs. ILSFA and the One-Stop Shop are both designed to be resources for renters as well as homeowners. The proposed program will result in significant improvements to the Village’s single-family homes and small multifamily properties to increase affordability by reducing utility costs.
Community Input
There has been no community input given in relation to this item. However, significant community engagement will be built into the design of the One-Stop Shop.
Staff Recommendation
Approve the Resolution authorizing the submission of the Illinois Solar For All Expansion grant.
Advantages:
• If awarded, the grant will provide funding to focus outreach and assistance to expand participation in the ILSFA program among income-qualified households in the Village.
Disadvantages:
• If awarded, staff time will be necessary to administer the grant.
Alternatives
Alternative 1:
The Board could choose not approve the Resolution.
Advantages:
• No staff time will be necessary to administer the grant.
Disadvantages:
• The Village will not have the opportunity to add resources to the One-Stop Shop to support participation in ILSFA.
• The Village will not have funding to support home repairs, which will allow for solar photovoltaic system installations.
• Grant funding is available for this round of grants and is not guaranteed for future rounds.
Anticipated Future Actions
Village Staff will update the Village Board on the status of this grant-funded project, if awarded, as updates are presented related to the One-Stop Shop.
Prepared By: Lindsey Nieratka, Chief Sustainability Officer
Reviewed By: Ahmad M. Zayyad, Deputy Village Manager
Approved By: Kevin J. Jackson, Village Manager
Attachment(s):
1. Resolution
2. Grant Narrative