Economic Development Programs

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About

The CEJA economic and community development programs support the businesses and organizations leading Illinois’s shift to clean energy. They are run by the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity through the Office of Energy and Business Utility.

These programs give funding directly to contractors, businesses, nonprofits, towns, and service providers that support Illinois’s move to clean energy.

Click the icons below to learn about each grant program.



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CSES​
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Which Economic and Community Development Grant Program is Right For You?
checkmark.png - Entity or cost category is eligible for funding.
checkmark.png star.png - Entity must complete a CEJA Ecosystem Utilization Plan (CEUP) to determine if the entity meets equity building criteria to be eligible for the grant.​

checkmark.png​  - Entity must complete an attestation that confirms no community-based organizations in the area are eligible or have the capacity to complete the proposed project.

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 ​Equitable Energy Future Grant
 ​Community Solar Energy Sovereignty Grant
 ​Energy Transition Community Grant​
 ​Energy Transition Community Grant – Zion
Funding Information
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 Total Funding​
 ​$25.5 million
 $8.5 million​ $26 million​ $14 million​
​Award Range
 $250k - $1 million​ $50k - $1 million​ $50k + formula funding​ $50k + formula funding​
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Funding opportunities above can be braided
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​Allowable Costs
​		 ​Pre-Development Costs
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​Construction Costs
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​​​Project ​Scope/Focus
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​ ​		 ​Renewable Energy
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​Energy Efficiency
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​Battery Storage
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​Tax Abatement
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​​​​​​Eligible Applicants
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 ​Equity Eligible Contractor
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​Non-Profit
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​Municipality/Taxing Body
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​Business
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​Cooperative Organization
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​Technical Service Provider
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​​Grant Opportunity Information
​ ​		 Grant Frequency​ ​Annual​
 Annual​ Annual​ Annual​
​Grant Type
 ​Rolling
 Rolling​ Deadline​ Deadline​
​Opportunity Availability
 ​Apply by 12/31/2025
 Apply by 12/31/2025​
 Closed​ Closed​​

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Connect with the Office of Energy & Business Utility at CEO.OEBU@illinois.gov​