Title
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A Resolution Approving and Adopting the Amended Village of Oak Park Climate Ready Energy Grant Program Guidelines
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Introduction
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Approve a Resolution to approve and adopt the amended Climate Ready Energy Grant program guidelines.
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Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the Village Board approve the Resolution.
Prior Board Action
The Board has taken the following prior action(s):
• On June 23, 2026, the Village Board received a memo from Staff outlining the next steps for the loan with interest program and asking for guidance on reinstating a grant for higher income homes.
• On March 18, 2026, the Village Board directed staff to modify the loan guidelines to include interest.
• On January 27, 2026, the Village Board adopted the 2026 Grant Guidelines and 2026 Loan Guidelines.
• On January 20, 2026, the Village Board provided input to staff on the Grant Guidelines.
• The Village Board approved $750,000 in the 2026 Fiscal Year Budget for the Energy Grants.
• The Village Board approved the 2025 Energy Grant Guidelines at the January 14, 2025 Board Meeting.
Background
The Climate Ready Oak Park Plan commits the Village to reducing Greenhouse Gas emissions by 60% by 2030. Residential properties represent 38.8% of community-wide emissions in 2022. The Village’s Climate Ready Energy Grants provide residents with monetary assistance to make energy efficiency upgrades. This resolution aligns with CROP actions EN03 and BD03.
In FY2025, the Sustainability budget included $750,000 allocated towards the Climate Ready Energy Grants. Grant awards fell into three tiers based on income.
• Households at or below 80% AMI were eligible for up to $10,000.
• Households between 80% and 120% AMI were eligible for up to $5,000, matching.
• Households above 120% AMI were eligible for up to $1,000, matching.
As of November 2025, 53 applications were submitted, including 21 for Tier 1, 7 in Tier 2, and 19 in Tier 3. These applications represent less than the $750,000 allocated for the program in 2025. Hearing feedback from applicants and potential applicants and seeking input from the OPCAN Climate Coaches, staff determined that there are changes that could be made to make the grants more attractive to potential applicants.
The 2026 Energy Grant guidelines adjusted the grant amounts and made changes to the required application submissions. The guidelines adopted on January 27, 2026 included the following grant levels:
• Households at or below 80% AMI are eligible for up to $20,000;
• Households above 80% AMI and at or below 120% AMI are eligible for $7,500.
The guidelines adopted on January 2, 2026, did not include grants for households above 120% AMI. Staff had recommended, and the Board approved, loan guidelines that would be available to this income bracket instead. When the Board directed staff to alter the loan guidelines to include interest on March 18, 2026, staff reviewed program options and recommended pursuing a loan program managed by the Village’s banking partner. This option is outlined in a memo to the Village Board dated June 23, 2026. With this new direction, a loan program will not be in place until 2027, leaving no resources available to households over 120% AMI.
In the memo dated June 23, 1981, Staff asked for guidance on reinstating a grant program for those households. Trustee Taglia and Trustee Eder both responded to the Memo. Trustee Taglia was not in favor of reinstating the grant program at this level, but if it were the will of the Board, it would be acceptable. Trustee Taglia’s stated objection was that the funding could remain to be utilized towards grants in the following year, and also that it could be utilized for other programs such as the Living Room project. Since the funding for the Energy Grants comes from the Sustainability Fund, they must be used on Sustainability programs. Trustee Eder was in favor of reinstating the grant program and raising the grant amount commensurate with the increase at the other income tiers. This resolution is to approve amended grant guidelines reinstating a grant for households above 120% AMI and increasing the grant amount to $2,000.
The Village launched the Oak Park Energy Navigator (OPEN) program in March of 2026. The program was popular and filled quickly. Currently, the OPEN program can no longer accept applications for single-family home assessments; however, the program can still serve homes through the Help Desk or “Navigator Only” services. If a homeowner has an existing assessment, the OPEN Navigators can use that assessment to create a home energy roadmap or provide guidance to the homeowner. Communication with households on the waitlist includes a recommendation to use the Village’s Energy Grants to obtain an assessment. Currently, that option is only available to households at or below 120% AMI. A grant of $2,000 to higher-income households would be sufficient to cover a home assessment and basic weatherization actions, providing more accessibility to the OPEN program for households over 120% of AMI.
Timing Considerations
Funds are allocated for FY2026. Approving the grant guidelines now will provide sufficient time to advertise the fund availability and process awards.
Financial Impact
The grants will utilize the funding allocated for the Climate Ready Grant program. Funds are allocated in GL#2310.41020.101.570668.0000.
There are $750,000 allocated for 2026. During the presentation in January, Staff recommended that $380,000 be allocated towards grants, $350,000 be allocated to loans (single and multifamily), and $20,000 be allocated towards rebates. The $350,000 allocated to loans for 2026 could be utilized for grants should the demand exceed the $380,000 already earmarked.
Operations Impact
There is no operating impact associated with this item. The item aligns with the department’s core service delivery.
DEI Impact
The amendments to the grant guidelines primarily impact higher-income households. Resolution 22-183, which adopted the CROP plan, also commits 40% of public and sustainability dollars to the most vulnerable and climate-impacted community members. To meet this goal, Staff ensure that at least 40% of the grant funds are reserved for households at 80% AMI or below. The $380,000 allocated towards grants for 120% AMI or below includes $300,000 earmarked for households below 80% and $80,000 for households between 80% and 120%, meeting the CROP commitment.
Community Input
There has been no community input given in relation to this item.
Staff Recommendation
Adopt the resolution.
Advantages:
• Funds budgeted for 2026 could be utilized for efficiency projects.
• Resources to encourage households over 120% AMI to improve household efficiency would be added.
• A resource would be added to help more households access the benefits of OPEN.
Disadvantages:
• Sustainability funds would be expended.
Alternatives
Alternative 1:
The Board can reject the resolution.
Advantages:
• Unexpended grant funding would remain in the Sustainability Fund and could be utilized in future budget years.
Disadvantages:
• No grant or loan resources will exist to encourage higher-income homeowners to make energy efficiency improvements in 2026.
• No assistance would be provided to higher-income homes to help them access the resources of OPEN under this contract year.
Anticipated Future Actions
There are no anticipated future actions in relation to this item.
Prepared By: Lindsey Roland Nieratka, Chief Sustainability Officer
Reviewed By: Ahmad M. Zayyad, Deputy Village Manager
Approved By: Kevin J. Jackson, Village Manager
Attachment(s):
1. Resolution
2. Climate Ready Energy Efficiency Grant Guidelines 2026 - Amended