Gov. Pritzker announces $14.9 million in federal funding for community charging program

Governor JB Pritzker announced that Illinois secured 14.9 million in competitive federal grant funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s charging and Fueling Infrastructure (CFI) Discretionary Grant Program. The Illinois Finance Authority (IFA), in its role as the Illinois Climate Bank, was chosen to receive the $14.9 million to support the expansion of electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure in Illinois.

“As Illinois moves toward a clean energy future, it is imperative that no communities are left behind,” said Pritzker. “This investment from our partners at the federal level will ensure Illinois has the resources to make electric vehicles accessible to all our residents. With the incredible work from the Illinois Finance Authority, regional partners, and local leadership, I have no doubt the Community Charging Program will make a positive impact statewide.”

The proposed project, “The State of Illinois Community Charging Program,” aims to advance community-based transportation efforts across Illinois and prioritize equity in the clean energy movement. The statewide initiative is a joint effort between the Illinois Climate Bank as well as local and regional partners, serving 273 project sites (144 of which are located in or in close proximity to disadvantaged communities). The funds will support construction of 845 Level 2 EV Charging stations, and 36 DC Fast Charge stations.

Of the total $18.7 million project investment: 43 percent will be allocated for disadvantaged community projects; 63 percent will be designated to dense urban communities with a high percentage of multi-family housing, as well as rural communities and small towns.

The new funding for EV charging infrastructure bolsters the State of Illinois’ previous efforts towards a clean energy future. Considerable progress under the Pritzker Administration includes the 2021 signing of the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA), which places the state on a path to 100 percent clean energy by 2045 and one million electric vehicles on the roads by 2030.

Additionally, in the past year alone, the Pritzker Administration launched $10 million in funding for the Climate Works Pre-Apprenticeship Program, allocated $6 million for the Energy Transition Barrier Reduction Program, and partnered with numerous EV manufacturers to open Illinois factory sites and ensure career pathways in EV production.