On July 7, 2026, Illinois Shines released the Program Year 2025-26 Mentorship Program Report. Approved Vendors and Designees that are certified as Equity Eligible Contractors and/or are minority-owned, woman-owned, veteran-owned, disability-owned, or are considered small businesses are encouraged to apply to the Mentorship Program, which is designed to help mentees successfully participate in Illinois Shines.
The Illinois Shines Mentorship Program, now in its third year, was created as part of the Equity Accountability System, established by the Illinois Power Agency to help historically underserved communities participate in and benefit from the growing clean energy economy in Illinois. In Program Year 2025-26, the Mentorship Program expanded to two cohorts to meet growing market demand. Held in Fall 2025 and Winter 2026, 37 mentees participated in the two sessions, who were supported by 11 experienced mentors that develop projects in Illinois Shines. The eight-week sessions provided mentees access to virtual trainings, live discussions sessions, mentors, one-on-one support from Illinois Shines staff, and a graduation celebration and networking event. The Program Year 2025-26 Mentorship Program Final Report details the creation and delivery of the sessions, including feedback and future recommendations.
The 2026-27 Mentorship Program will again include Fall and Winter cohorts, and information about mentee and mentor registration is forthcoming. For more information about the Mentorship Program, or questions about the full Mentorship Program Final Report, please visit the Program’s Mentorship Program page or email [email protected].
Thank you!
Illinois Shines Program
[email protected]