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 […]
Clarification of EEC Group B Developer Cap Size
During the April 1, 2026 capacity reallocation event, 50% of the unallocated EEC Group B category capacity was reallocated and as a result, the EEC Group B category block decreased in size. Nonetheless, the 20% developer cap for EEC Group B was retained at 61.12 MW, the highest the cap calculated during the 2025-26 Program Year, to avoid unintended consequences resulting from the block size decrease. This cap will […]
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 market obstacles with members of the […]
Financing Opportunities Webinar Held
As previously announced, the Program Administrator held a webinar on Thursday, April 9, 2026, to provide information on financial resources and financing opportunities, including grant and loan programs, Illinois Shines vendors can pursue. Presenters included Illinois Shines partner organizations HACIA, NLR, CEJJF, and the Ameren Market Development Initiative. A recording of the event and presentation slides are now available; questions and […]