As previously announced, as a result of the Modified 2024 Long-Term Plan, the Program opened an additional 45-day CDCS application window from January 16, 2026, to March 2, 2026. Any project submitted during the 45-day window that qualifies for the waitlist will be placed behind projects submitted during the initial 90-day application window, regardless of score.
To prioritize the selection of projects in the 2025-26 Program Year, the Program has expedited the schedule for review and cure periods. Approved Vendors should review the planned, updated timeline below and ensure a timely response to the Program Administrator. Failure to respond to the Program Administrator by the end of each cure period may result in project removal.
- Application Review Period – (March 2 – March 20) Applications undergo initial review by Program Administrator (Approximately 3 weeks)
- Application Cure Period (March 23 – March 27) – AVs cure deficiencies identified by Program Administrator (Approximately 1 week)
- Application Scoring Period (March 30 – April 3) – Program Administrator continues the scoring process for all relevant applications (those submitted without deficiencies and those that successfully cure deficiencies during the cure period) (Approximately 1 week)
- Scoring Cure Period (April 6 – April 10) – AVs are offered a chance to review initial score, dispute, and resolve any discrepancies (Approximately 1 week)
- Scores published (April 15) – AVs wishing to appeal their project score will have one week from the receipt of scores to submit an appeal to the Program Administrator (appeals due April 22, 2026)
- Random selection event (April 29) – If necessary, to ordinally rank projects with tied scores.
- Final scores and project selection published (May 1)
The last eligible ICC Meeting for the 2025-26 Program Year is May 21, 2026. Projects not selected for capacity during the random selection event will remain on the waitlist until new capacity becomes available at the start of the 2026-27 Program Year, and will be subject to all 2026-27 Program Year requirements and, if awarded capacity, will be placed on the 2026 REC Delivery Contract.
Thank you!
Illinois Shines Program
[email protected]