Director John J. Kim of the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (Illinois EPA) has unveiled Round Two of grants aimed at funding the purchase and installation of electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure at publicly accessible locations. This initiative, made possible by Governor JB Pritzker’s bipartisan Rebuild Illinois capital plan and authorized under the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA), signifies Illinois’ commitment to leading the clean energy revolution.
Governor Pritzker emphasized the state’s dedication to advancing clean energy initiatives, stating, “Illinois is leading the clean energy revolution, and my administration is building on our momentum by investing in public EV chargers across our state.” With a $44 million investment, public and private organizations will now have the opportunity to install and maintain the infrastructure necessary to encourage more EV drivers.
Director Kim highlighted the significance of the funding opportunity, stating, “Illinois EPA is excited to offer another funding opportunity, which extends eligibility to include units of local government and publicly available Level 2 charging ports.” This opportunity complements federal funding initiatives and underscores the Pritzker Administration’s commitment to electric vehicle growth in Illinois.
Each application must include a minimum of two publicly accessible charging station locations, with specific details outlined in the Notice of Funding Opportunity. Additional points will be awarded to projects located in Equity Investment Eligible Communities, as identified through the EIEC mapping tool. Moreover, applicants proposing chargers at public transportation park-and-ride facilities will receive extra points.
Eligible applicants include units of local government and private organizations incorporated under Illinois law. Both Level 3 DC Fast Charging and Level 2 charging ports are eligible for funding.
The Illinois EPA anticipates announcing Round One awardees in the near future, further advancing the state’s efforts to expand EV infrastructure and promote sustainable transportation solutions.
