Consumer Protection Working Group

In 2022, the Agency expanded and recalibrated the Consumer Protection Working Group. The expanded IPA Consumer Protection Working Group meets on the first Friday of each month and discusses market trends, best practices, consumer education, updates to Program requirements and documents, and other consumer protection issues for both Illinois Shines and Illinois Solar for All. This is an opportunity for consumers, solar companies, community and nonprofit organizations, and other members of the public to directly provide their insight and perspectives to the Program Administrators for both Programs and IPA. Historically this working group was limited to the Agency, Program Administrators, Illinois Commerce Commission staff, Office of the Attorney General, and Citizens Utility Board, and primarily focused on observed consumer protection issues and violations of program requirements, and disciplinary responses to violations. The expanded Consumer Protection Working Group is designed to engage a diverse set of stakeholders to create a more robust discussion of consumer protection issues.

The meetings follow an agenda with a set list of topics for discussion which are published in advance of the meeting. Feedback from each session will help inform the Agency’s strategies and decisions on a variety of consumer protection issues, including changes and updates to Program requirements and the development of consumer education materials and other resources. Meetings are open to the public, and to encourage open discussion, the sessions are not recorded.