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POWER BRIEF
Legislative Newsletter
August 2026
| A monthly roundup of news and top highlights from the Illinois Power Agency | | Attention mobile users: For best experience, rotate device to landscape mode. | | TOP INSIGHTS & HIGHLIGHTS | | Illinois Power Agency Receives National Clean Energy Awards for Illinois Shines Mentorship Program and Solar Consumer Protection Initiatives | | |
On July 29, the Illinois Power Agency (IPA) received two national State Leadership in Clean Energy (SLICE) Awards from the Clean Energy States Alliance (CESA), a bipartisan coalition of state energy agencies. The awards recognize the Illinois Shines Mentorship Program and the Solar Consumer Protection Initiatives – the Solar Restitution Program and Escrow Process.
The SLICE Awards recognize outstanding state-led programs and projects that have accelerated the adoption of clean energy technologies. Selected by an independent panel of distinguished judges, award recipients were evaluated based on leadership, innovation, cost-effectiveness, and replicability.
"States continue to innovate and are driving considerable clean energy progress,” said CESA Executive Director Warren Leon. “CESA's State Leadership in Clean Energy Awards bring attention to creative and successful state clean energy programs, so that other states may learn from them."
“These awards reflect the tireless dedication of our Illinois Shines and consumer protection teams, whose commitment continues to drive meaningful change across Illinois’ clean energy landscape,” IPA Director Brian Granahan said. “Through innovative new initiatives, our programs are advancing equity, removing barriers to participation, and supporting positive customer experiences as increasing numbers of customers adopt solar in Illinois.”
Following a successful 2023 pilot, the Illinois Shines Mentorship Program launched in 2024 expands access to opportunities within Illinois’ growing clean energy economy by supporting new and underrepresented businesses. The program provides participants with live virtual training sessions, one-on-one support from Illinois Shines staff, and direct connections to experienced clean energy businesses serving as volunteer mentors. Since the program’s inception, the Mentorship Program graduates have submitted more than 335 project applications to the Illinois Shines program and successfully energized 180 solar projects across Illinois. To learn more, please visit the Illinois Shines Mentorship Program Final Report.
The Solar Restitution Program and Escrow Process demonstrate the Agency’s commitment to ensuring Illinois residents and business can participate in clean energy programs with confidence. Together, these initiatives pair preventive safeguards with financial restitution to strengthen consumer confidence in Illinois’ growing solar market. As of June 2026, the Solar Restitution Program has paid customers $472,864 in restitution, while the Escrow Process has facilitated $2,198,086 in pass-through payments to customers. To learn more, please visit the Illinois Shines Consumer Protection web page.
The IPA appreciates CESA’s recognition and remains committed to advancing an equitable clean energy future for Illinois. Legislators and staff are encouraged to review the Agency’s press release to learn more.
| | IPA Summer 2026 Procurement to Facilitate 1.55 GW of New Renewable Energy Projects in Illinois | |
On June 24, the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) approved the results of the IPA’s Summer 2026 Indexed REC procurement event, awarding contracts to support 1.55 GW of new renewable energy generation across Illinois.
The approved projects include one hydropower project (10.26 MW), three new utility-scale wind projects (800 MW), and four new utility-scale solar projects (740 MW). Notably, this marks the first time a hydropower project has been awarded a contract through an Indexed REC Procurement. All eight winning projects are located in Illinois, and seven are proposed to be located at least 50% within an Energy Transition Community Grant Area or adjacent to a Hydropower Preference Community.
The approved projects represent another step forward in Illinois’ renewable energy development. The state now has more than 6,000 MW of solar energized, making Illinois the Midwest leader in solar deployment, up from roughly 80 MW just a decade ago. In addition, more than 11.3 GW of wind and solar capacity are currently under contract. With the approval of the latest procurement, the contracted renewable energy pipeline is expected to grow to approximately 12.85 GW, continuing Illinois’ progress towards its RPS goals. To see more data, please visit the Agency’s Clean Energy Dashboard.
For more information on the Agency’s utility-scale renewable energy procurements, please visit the IPA’s Utility Scale Renewable Energy Projects web page.
| Illinois Shines Mentorship Program Strengthens the State’s Clean Energy Workforce Pipeline | |
The IPA established the Illinois Shines Mentorship Program to address a clear and persistent challenge: many Equity Eligible Contractors (EECs), women-veteran-and disability-owned businesses, and other small businesses face real barriers to entering Illinois’ solar market.
The program helps close that gap by connecting mentees with experienced mentors that share their insights and experiences in facilitated mentor panels and small-group discussions. The program also provides hands-on training, peer learning opportunities, and technical guidance through an eight-week virtual training series. Participants gain the knowledge and support needed to navigate Illinois Shines’ program requirements, strengthen their businesses, and compete in Illinois’ clean energy economy.
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Above: (March 2026) Members of the IPA and its Illinois Shines Program Administrator gather to host a
Mentorship Program graduation celebration
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Since launching its pilot cohort of 12 mentees in 2023, the program expanded to 20 participants in 2024-25, and in response to strong demand, doubled to two cohorts (spring and fall) during the 2025-26 program year. Each cohort has built on lessons learned from the previous year, demonstrating the IPA’s commitment to continuous strengthening of its equity initiatives.
The program’s impact is already measurable. To date, 90 mentees from 71 businesses have completed training, mentees have energized 180 solar projects, and volunteer mentors have contributed 196 hours of guidance and technical support. These outcomes represent more than individual business success stories – they demonstrate a growing pipeline of qualified entities including EECs and/or small and emerging businesses participating in Illinois’ clean energy economy.
“The Illinois Shines Mentorship Program has prepared my company for success in the Illinois Shines Program by reinforcing program requirements and allowing me to make connections where I would have a difficult time otherwise.” – Mentee Allied Facility Partners
“Meeting with other Developers was invaluable. I learned how my business was positioned in the market and what other steps businesses took to grow.” – Mentee Artemis Energy
The recently released 2025-2026 Illinois Shines Mentorship Program Final Report highlights participant outcomes, mentee testimonials, and recommendations to strengthen the program for future cohorts.
As Illinois continues to expand its clean energy economy, the mentorship program offers a proven model for reducing barriers to entry, supporting small businesses, and long-term industry capacity.
| | IPA Releases Equity Data Dashboard to Track Equity Outcomes Across Clean Energy Programs | | |
The IPA has launched its Equity Data Dashboard, marking a key milestone in the implementation of the Agency’s Equity Accountability System (EAS), which was established to ensure Illinois’ clean energy transition creates measurable opportunities for historically underserved communities. Robust and continuous data collection is a cornerstone of that effort, and the dashboard consolidates this equity data into a single platform, enabling year-over-year comparisons that help stakeholders and policymakers better understand trends, evaluate effectiveness of equity initiatives, and inform better policy decisions.
The dashboard also tracks participation in the Energy Workforce Equity Portal, including the rapid growth in approved Equity Eligible Persons (EEPs) over time. At the beginning of 2025, approximately 901 EEPs had been approved. By August 2026, the number had grown to 3,900, demonstrating substantial growth in participation in Illinois’ clean energy programs.
| | In addition, the dashboard illustrates where EECs are located throughout Illinois, providing insight into the geographic distribution of businesses participating In Illinois Shines. It also highlights the qualification pathways through which businesses qualify as EECs, offering greater transparency into how equity eligibility is reflected across the program. | | The dashboard launch represents a tangible example of the EAS in action. By making this data transparent and publicly available, the dashboard shifts conversations about equity implementation from anecdotal observations to measurable indicators that can be tracked over time. This creates a stronger foundation for evaluating progress, identifying opportunities for improvement, and informing policy and program decisions. | | |
DID YOU KNOW?
On June 26, the IPA hosted an educational webinar, titled ‘Elective Pay: Clean Energy Credits for Tax-Exempt Entities’. This webinar explored Elective Pay, a mechanism that enables tax-exempt entities to benefit from remaining federal clean energy tax credits.
Attendees learned how public bodies, non-profit organizations, houses of worship, and other tax-exempt entities can still leverage federal tax credits (even with no tax liability) to reduce the overall cost of clean energy projects. The webinar detailed eligibility requirements for Elective Pay, including changes enacted by Congress last year and requirements specific to battery storage and geothermal projects.
Speakers for this session include CYR Strategies' Cassie Rowlands, an expert in Elective Pay, and IPA Director of External Affairs Sarah Duffy.
To view a recording of the webinar and accompanying presentation, please visit the IPA Events page.
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On June 16, Ashley Hollis joined the IPA as Associate Legal Counsel – Storage and Renewable Markets. In this role, Ashley will focus on the ongoing management of energy storage and block energy procurements.
Before joining the IPA, Ashley served as Associate Legal Counsel for the Illinois Office of the Senate President, where she focused on energy and environmental policy matters. Ashley brings a strong background in energy policy, environmental law, and public service, which will support the Agency’s efforts to expand renewable energy and energy storage resources in Illinois.
Ashely holds a Bachelor of Science in Soils, Environmental, and Atmospheric Sciences, and a Juris Doctor in Environmental and Natural Resources Law from Lewis & Clark Law School.
The Agency is pleased to welcome Ashley to the team.
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On July 1, Alexandria (Alex) Wilson joined the IPA as Chief Operating Officer.
In this role, Alex oversees the Administration Bureau, including the Agency's human resources, information technology, project management, and process improvement functions.
Alex is a seasoned public sector executive with extensive experience leading operations, strategic initiatives, procurement, and organizational transformation. Prior to joining the IPA, Alex served as Executive Director of the Illinois Commission on Equity and Inclusion, where she led the Commission’s operations, strategic priorities, and stakeholder engagement efforts. She previously served as Chief of Supplier Diversity for the Illinois Department of Innovation and Technology and held multiple leadership roles within the Illinois Chief Procurement Office for General Services.
In her role at the IPA, Alex will strengthen the Agency's internal operations and administrative processes to support the Agency’s mission. Alex earned her Juris Doctor from the University of Missouri School of Law and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Tuskegee University.
The Agency is pleased to welcome Alex to the team.
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On August 4, Sabrina Hiton joined the IPA as Communications Specialist for Integrated Marketing and Special Projects. Most recently, Sabrina served as Specialist of Programs & Communication at WISCAP, Wisconsin’s statewide network of agencies focused on poverty alleviation. Sabrina is passionate about using communication tools and social media to connect with people and make a meaningful impact. She enjoys bringing creative ideas to life through storytelling, digital content, and community engagement.
In this role, Sabrina will support the Agency’s communications channels, manage internal staff messaging, and support the development of special projects like the Agency’s Annual Report. She earned her bachelor's degree in Arts and Communication from the University of Wisconsin–Whitewater.
The Agency is pleased to welcome Sabrina to the team.
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IPA Website
Illinois Shines Website (a state incentive solar program for residents and businesses)
Illinois Solar for All Website (a state incentive solar program for income-eligible households, non-profits, and public facilities)
Utility-Scale Projects (an educational web page that discusses IPA’s work on utility-scale renewable energy projects across Illinois)
Energy Workforce Equity Portal (designed to connect clean energy companies with Equity Eligible job seekers)
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Small and Emerging Business Hub (a one-stop-shop of targeted resources for small and emerging businesses navigating the clean energy landscape)
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Equity Data Dashboard (a transparent, data-driven tool designed to provide insight into the IPA’s commitment to equity in the Illinois’ growing clean energy economy)
Clean Energy Dashboard (a data website for residents, businesses, and other stakeholders, designed to track the progress and impact of renewable energy development across Illinois)
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