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Power Pulse!
A quarterly newsletter featuring the latest news and information
from the Illinois Power Agency.
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Our vision is to provide a clean, reliable, equitable, and cost-effective
energy future for residents and businesses across Illinois.
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| Attention mobile users: For best experience, rotate device to landscape mode. | | Illinois Power Agency Significantly Expands Clean Energy Dashboard | |
On August 10, the Illinois Power Agency (IPA) announced Phase II of the Illinois Clean Energy Dashboard, a significant expansion of the online resource, featuring 23 interactive data dashboards that provide greater access to statewide clean energy data.
Created and maintained by the IPA, the Illinois Clean Energy Dashboard is a public data resource that enables users to explore Illinois’ renewable energy landscape and track the progress of the state’s clean energy transition.
Phase II features:
- 23 interactive dashboards
- 58 customizable filters
- 14 visualized datasets
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8 searchable maps
- New datasets covering Illinois Shines and Illinois Solar for All Community Solar, and future capacity and generation trends
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Toggleable views that give different vantages of the data and help users visualize
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Mobile-optimized dashboards for improved accessibility across desktop and mobile devices
- An expanded glossary and updated terminology
The dashboard is organized into seven categories:
Drawing on IPA, regional, and national data sources, the dashboard allows users to explore a wide range of clean energy trends. Visitors can compare Illinois’ clean energy progress with neighboring states, examine the state’s renewable energy generation over time, or explore where newly procured utility-scale projects are being developed across Illinois.
To learn more, users can view the Phase II Release Notes or the How to Explore a Dashboard web page.
| | Minimum Equity Standard Resources Now Available on Energy Workforce Equity Portal | |
In September, the IPA launched a new Minimum Equity Standard (MES) web page on the Energy Workforce Equity Portal.
This page serves as a centralized resource for information on the state’s MES, making it easier for stakeholders and Equity Eligible Persons (EEPs) to understand and navigate MES requirements and benefits.
The page also:
- Provides key MES definitions and detailed guidance on eligibility and registration
- Consolidates and organizes MES requirements and information in one location
- Helps entities understand how MES requirements apply to IPA-administered programs and procurements like Illinois Shines and Illinois Solar for All
- Includes illustrative MES forms previews for upcoming reporting periods
- Integrates additional MES-related resources like recordings of trainings, presentations, and general FAQs related to MES compliance in Illinois’ clean energy economy
The Minimum Equity Standard (MES) web page is intended to provide stakeholders with a clear starting point for MES information, while directing them to more detailed program or procurement specific guidance when needed.
| Illinois Solar for All Releases Program Overview Video | |
A new video produced by Illinois Solar for All (ILSFA) explains how the three ILSFA sub-programs—Residential Solar, Community Solar, and Non-Profit and Public Facilities—are helping Illinois residents and organizations save money.
Listen to real Program participants describing real savings through ILSFA in the video linked below:
| | IPA Director Presents at RE+ Midwest | | |
Across September 9 and 10, IPA Director Brian Granahan participated in the RE+ Midwest conference in Schaumburg, bringing together clean energy companies, utilities, and policymakers to discuss key issues shaping the region’s energy landscape.
Brian spoke on the “Lessons and Key Strategies for Meeting Forecasted Load Growth in the Midwest” panel, which explored how different states are prioritizing energy affordability, reliability, and continued clean energy deployment. The discussion highlighted how states and industry leaders can navigate growing energy demand while advancing clean energy goals.
The conference also featured state-specific briefings on clean energy progress, affordability, and reliability in Michigan, Missouri/Kansas, Ohio, and Wisconsin.
| | IPA Staff Presents at CESA Members Meeting 2026 | | IPA Staff from left to right: Jennifer Schmidt, Sarah Duffy, Olivia Matthews, Brian Granahan, Andrea O'Shea, Megha Hamal, Ganita Young, Jenny Whidden, and Rand Perry. | |
Across September 15 – 17, IPA staff attended the Clean Energy States Alliance (CESA) Annual Members Meeting in Detroit, Michigan.
The meeting brought together CESA member organizations from across the country to discuss how states can respond to significant shifts in federal energy policy. It also provided an opportunity for state leaders to learn from national experts and exchange insights on clean energy strategies to better serve their communities.
IPA Director of External Affairs Sarah Duffy joined an expert panel discussion focused on Virtual Power Plant (VPP) systems. The panel discussed how VPPs relate to load growth, grid modernization, and clean energy equity across the country. Sarah also covered general VPP program design, including current challenges and opportunities for future development.
IPA Chief Strategy and Communications Officer Megha Hamal and Media Relations Specialist Jenny Whidden delivered a presentation on the Illinois Clean Energy Dashboard. Phase II of the Dashboard includes a significant expansion of the online resource featuring 23 interactive data dashboards that provide greater access to statewide clean energy data.
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On August 17, Carley Bomrad joined the IPA as Associate Legal Counsel for Illinois Shines.
In this role, Carley supports the IPA-administered Illinois Shines solar incentive programs as a part of the Agency’s legal team.
Carley earned her J.D. from the Moritz College of Law at the Ohio State University where she was the Managing Editor of the Law Journal, V.P. of the Women’s Legal Society and a member of the ACLU Moritz Chapter and the Public Interest Law Foundation.
The Agency is pleased to welcome Carley to the team.
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On August 4, Sabrina Hiton joined the IPA as Communications Specialist for Integrated Marketing and Special Projects.
In this role, Sabrina supports the Agency’s communications channels and manages internal staff messaging and other special projects.
Sabrina earned her bachelor's degree in Arts and Communication from the University of Wisconsin–Whitewater and most recently served as Specialist of Programs & Communication at WISCAP, Wisconsin’s statewide network of agencies focused on poverty alleviation.
The Agency is pleased to welcome Sabrina to the team.
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On September 16, Khushan Shahad joined the IPA as a Data Governance Fellow through the University of Chicago’s Applied Data Fellowship (ADF) Program.
In this role, Khushan is responsible for building out data governance resources like the IPA Data Dictionary, the IPA Data Asset Inventory, and ILSFA’s Environmental Justice Community map update.
The Agency is pleased to welcome Khushan to the team.
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On September 16, Mallory Brown joined the IPA as an Associate Legal Counsel for Consumer Protection.
In this role, Mallory will work on a range of consumer protection matters related to Illinois Shines and ILSFA.
Mallory earned a JD from the Washington University School of Law and previously served as a law clerk for the US District Court for the District of Nevada.
The Agency is pleased to welcome Mallory to the team.
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On October 5, Andrew Guenther joined the IPA as Associate Legal Counsel for Consumer Protection.
In this role, Andrew works on a variety of consumer protection issues for Illinois Shines and ILSFA to further the Agency’s commitment to educating and protecting customers who choose to go solar.
Andrew earned his J.D. from the Indiana University Maurer School of Law along with a Master’s in Public Affairs. He also holds a Master’s of Environmental Sustainability and has government experience serving on municipal and county-level commissions.
The Agency is pleased to welcome Andrew to the team.
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On October 16, Grace Kraimer joined the IPA as Associate Legal Counsel for Consumer Protection.
In this role, Grace works on a variety of consumer protection issues for Illinois Shines and ILSFA to further the Agency’s commitment to educating and protecting customers who choose to go solar.
Grace earned her J.D. from the University of Wisconsin Law School in 2025 and served as an Attorney Editor for Thomson Reuters. She also has prior experience at a variety of legal advocacy organizations.
The Agency is pleased to welcome Grace to the team.
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DID YOU KNOW?
In response to stakeholder interest and the popularity of an Illinois Shines Financing Opportunities webinar held in April, the IPA will host an expanded educational webinar series on financial opportunities in December 2026. The three-part webinar series, designed to support businesses participating in the IPA’s clean energy procurement programs, will spotlight preparations to access funding and several specific grant and loan opportunities. Attendees will meet and hear from a diverse range of expert presenters sharing valuable, updated opportunity information. Each event will be recorded, and registration for each webinar is required.
IPA Power Hour - Preparing Your Business to Access Funding
- Date: December 4, 2026
- Time: 12 p.m. – 1 p.m. CT
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Presenters: Hector Tello, Membership and Business Development Manager, Hispanic American Construction Industry Association (HACIA) and Ricardo Magallon, Director of the Clean Energy Incubator Program, Innovation DuPage
- REGISTER NOW
IPA Power Hour - Funding Opportunities: Grants
- Date: December 11, 2026
- Time: 12 p.m. – 1 p.m. CT
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Presenters: Hilary Scott-Ogunrinde, Deputy Director of the Office of Energy and Business Utility at DCEO, Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO)
- REGISTER NOW
IPA Power Hour - Funding Opportunities: Loans
- Date: December 18, 2026
- Time: 12 p.m. – 1 p.m. CT
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Presenters: Rebeccah Sanders, Executive Director, Clean Energy Jobs and Justice Fund (CEJJF) and Francisco Galliano, Senior Vice President, Illinois Finance Authority (IFA)
- REGISTER NOW
For more information, please visit the IPA Events page.
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