Fall 2026 AV and EEC Roundtables
The Program Administrator is excited to announce the next round of Illinois Shines AV and EEC Roundtables. The Roundtables provide an opportunity for participants to share program feedback and offer insights on market challenges and conditions. Roundtable participants will connect with other AVs and EECs, Illinois Shines Sector Strategists, and other Program Administrator team members. […]
Upcoming EAS Learning Series Webinar
Earlier this year, the Program Administrator and the IPA DEI Team launched the Illinois Shines Equity Accountability System (EAS) Learning Series, to highlight the importance of equity in the clean energy economy, and within the program, and to equip vendors with resources and support to meet and exceed Program equity requirements. The next webinar in […]
Reminder: Registration for 2026-27 Mentorship Program Fall Cohort Closes Friday, August 28, 2026
Mentee and mentor registration for the 2026-27 Mentorship Program Fall Cohort opened August 17, 2026, on the Mentorship Program page and will close this Friday, August 28, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. CPT. AVs and Designees certified as Equity Eligible Contractors (EECs), AVs designated as Small and Emerging Businesses, and/or businesses that are minority-owned, woman-owned, veteran-owned, […]
Registration for 2026-27 Mentorship Program Fall Cohort Now Open
Mentee and mentor registration for the 2026-27 Mentorship Program Fall Cohort opened yesterday, August 17, 2026, on the Mentorship Program pageand will close on August 28, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. CPT. AVs and Designees certified as Equity Eligible Contractors (EECs), AVs designated as Small and Emerging Businesses, and/or businesses that are minority-owned, woman-owned, veteran-owned, or […]
Registration for 2026-27 Mentorship Program Fall Cohort Opens August 17, 2026
Mentee and mentor registration for the 2026-27 Mentorship Program Fall Cohort will open on August 17, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. CPT at the Mentorship Program page andwill close on August 28, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. CPT. AVs and Designees certified as Equity Eligible Contractors (EECs), AVs designated as Small and Emerging Businesses, and/or businesses that […]
2025-26 Mentorship Program Report Published
On July 7, 2026, Illinois Shines released the 2025-26 Mentorship Program Final Report, which details the creation and delivery of the sessions, including feedback and future recommendations. The Mentorship Program is designed to help mentees successfully participate in Illinois Shines. In Program Year 2025-26, the Mentorship Program expanded to two cohorts to meet growing market demand. Held in Fall […]
2025-26 Mentorship Program Report Published
On July 7, 2026, Illinois Shines released the 2025-26 Mentorship Program Final Report, which details the creation and delivery of the sessions, including feedback and future recommendations. The Mentorship Program is designed to help mentees successfully participate in Illinois Shines. In Program Year 2025-26, the Mentorship Program expanded to two cohorts to meet growing market demand. Held in Fall […]
EEC Subcategory Merging Complete
As previously mentioned, and as provided for in the 2024 Long-Term Plan, the Program opened the EEC subcategory capacity to the entire category on May 1, 2026, 11 months into the Program Year, and will reallocate any uncontracted capacity in the category at the close of the Program Year. The Program has updated the Block Capacity Dashboard page […]
EEC Roundtable Interest Form
The Program is excited to host a virtual Spring EEC Roundtable on May 13, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. CPT. The EEC Roundtable provides an opportunity for EEC participants to learn more about the Minimum Equity Standard Combined Compliance Plan and Year-End Report, share questions, feedback, and insights on Program challenges, and more. The EEC Spring Roundtable agenda has been updated […]
EEC Subcategory Merging
As provided in the 2024 Long-Term Plan, the Program will open EEC subcategory capacity to the entire category 11 months into the Program Year and thereafter reallocate any uncontracted capacity in the category at the close of the Program Year. On May 1, 2026, the Program will merge the EEC CS and DG category capacity (maintaining Group A and […]