Updates Following Capacity Reallocation
As previously shared, the Program paused for two business days, from March 29, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. CPT through April 1, 2026, at 8:00 a.m. CPT, to undertake data and reporting updates to reallocate 50% of unused Program capacity, that resulted in a total of 414.05 MW. This memo details the steps the Program has taken to allocate capacity to eligible waitlisted applications. The […]
Illinois Shines Releases Latest State of the Program Communication
Illinois Shines has released its latest State of the Program communication, reflecting updates from Program Year 2025-26. The communication, published twice yearly, details key areas of Program progress, implemented solutions, current initiatives, forums to solicit and address stakeholder needs and requests, and an updated Program vision and stakeholder commitments from the Program Administrator. Updates are […]
IPA Lifting Pause on Two Withhold Limit, May 31 REC Transfer Deadline, Complying with MES Reporting Requirements, Interim Capacity Reallocation and Portal Pause
The IPA announces new information related to the Illinois Shines program. This announcement includes: Coming Up in Illinois Shines, Stakeholder Support, Program News, and Reference and Reminders. The full announcement is available here. Topics include the following: Coming up in Illinois Shines Stakeholder Support Program News Reference and Reminders Thank you!Illinois Shines [email protected]
Interim Capacity Reallocation Details and Portal Pause
As previously shared, on October 31, 2025, the IPA published an updated 2024 Long-Term Plan that conformed with the ICC Order in Docket 23-0714. Changes from the 2024 Long-Term Plan Re-opening impacting Illinois Shines include imposing an interim reallocation of 50% of remaining unused capacity on April 1, 2026, distributed among waitlisted projects as the waitlist exists on […]
Consumer Protection Working Group Moving to Quarterly Schedule
As previously announced, the Program Administrators and IPA proposed changing the cadence of the Consumer Protection Working Group to a quarterly schedule for a richer agenda and more robust discussion from stakeholders. Requests for feedback were due March 25, 2026. Effective June 2026, the meetings will shift to a quarterly schedule, occurring on the first […]
Exact Project Values and Rounding in Project Applications
Whenever possible, values for project details should be exact and consistent across the Program Portal, documentation, and applicable registries. For portal fields that do not allow for decimals, AVs should round to the nearest available value. Rounding down – Digits 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4 round down to the nearest applicable value. All digits that are […]
Interim Capacity Reallocation Details
As previously shared, on October 31, 2025, the IPA published an updated 2024 Long-Term Plan that conformed with the Illinois Commerce Commission (“ICC”) Order in Docket 23-0714. Changes from the 2024 Long-Term Plan Re-opening impacting Illinois Shines include imposing an interim reallocation of 50% of remaining unused capacity on April 1, 2026, distributed among waitlisted […]
Consumer Protection Working Group Moving to Quarterly Schedule; Next Meeting June 5, 2026
As previously announced, the Program Administrators and IPA proposed a change to the cadence of Consumer Protection Working Group meeting to a quarterly schedule, requesting feedback by March 25, 2026. Since Program inception, these meetings have run on a monthly cadence which allowed for regular feedback from participants on consumer protection-related matters as significant new Consumer Protection initiatives […]
Resources and Guidance for EECs Complying with MES Reporting Requirements, Upcoming Webinar
As described in the Draft 2026-27 Program Guidebook, beginning June 1, 2026, all Equity Eligible Contractor (EEC) Approved Vendors (AVs) and Designees will be required to meet the Minimum Equity Standard (MES). During the upcoming reporting window, the Program is requesting data from EECs on their 2026-27 project workforce. For the current 2025-26 Program Year, ending May 31, […]
Resources and Guidance for Complying with MES Reporting Requirements, Upcoming Webinar
As the May 31, 2026 close of 2025-26 Program Year approaches, Approved Vendors (AVs) and Designees will need to begin preparing for upcoming Minimum Equity Standard (MES) data and reporting requirements. The IPA and Program Administrator are excited to announce that in response to stakeholder feedback, MES reporting for the prior and next Program Years, previously submitted in two separate reports, will be consolidated into one report due on July 15, 2026. This new combined report, the MES Combined Compliance and […]