The Program Administrator publishes Tips and Tricks to help support stakeholders in avoiding project applications from resulting in a Need Info request and delaying their review and approval.
- On average, 26% of Part I and 33% of Part II Small DG applications require additional information, prompting a Need Info request that will delay application review. While 95–98% of these requests are resolved within a month, they still delay application verification.
- The Program Administrator sends individual Need Info emails biweekly, detailing the information needed for verification. These emails will include a subject line in the following format: “Illinois Shines Need Info – [Part I/Part II] [Small/Large] DG Application [App ID]”.
- Weekly AV project reports include Need Info notes, but emailing the Program Administrator separately with this information slows the process. To minimize delays, respond to the original Need Info email instead of starting a new message.
- If the Program Administrator requests information at least four times without resolution, the AV receives a final notice. From that point, the AV has 45 days to provide the required information, or the project application will be marked as “AV Non-Responsive” status. During this time a Program Sector Strategist will reach out to discuss the outstanding request(s). Continued inaction may result in a Program violation, outlined in the Consumer Protection Handbook.
