Illinois Renewable Energy Policy

The Illinois Solar Energy & Storage Association advocates for the protection and expansion of solar and storage in Illinois. ISEA educates and mobilizes our members and the general public on renewable energy policies that affect clean energy development in the State.

Legislative Advocacy: ISEA’s legislative team connects the solar and storage industry to legislative leadership in Springfield. Our engagement has resulted in transformative energy legislation over the decades. Read more about recent Illinois energy legislation.
Regulatory Engagement: In collaboration with utilities and trade organizations, ISEA engages in regulatory proceedings with the Illinois Commerce Commission to update clean energy programs and procurement.

Get Involved

Help shape the future of solar energy in Illinois by becoming a member and engaging with ISEA's policy and advocacy efforts.

Attend Lobby Day

Lobby Days provide members with the opportunity to meet directly with legislators and advocate for policies that support the growth of solar energy in Illinois.

Our most recent Lobby Day has concluded, but we encourage you to watch for announcements about future events. ISEA members are invited to participate in Lobby Day once or twice each year and will receive event invitations via email.

Join ISEA here to become an ISEA member and receive future Lobby Day invitations, advocacy news, and other member benefits.

Join ISEA's Policy Committee

Stay informed and contribute to discussions on key policy, legislative, and regulatory issues affecting Illinois' solar industry. ISEA's Policy Committee provides members with opportunities to engage on advocacy priorities, share industry insights, and help shape ISEA's policy initiatives.

Current Business Members may join the Policy Committee for an additional annual fee. To get started, please review and complete the Policy Committee Agreement, which serves as the enrollment form for participation.

Review and Complete the Policy Committee Agreement →

Illinois Energy Legislation

Elevating industry expertise and collaborating with trade organizations and interest groups, ISEA has lobbied to pass key energy legislation. Most recently, the Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act (CRGA) has brought Illinois on the cutting edge of strategies to use energy storage to meet ever-increasing demand and capacity challenges.

Sponsored by Senator Stadelman and Representative Hoffman, CRGA went into effect June 1, 2026, and revolutionized the Illinois energy landscape. This law demonstrates Illinois’s commitment to affordability. Key policies include:

Building 3 gigawatts of clean energy storage, which will reduce costs and create thousands of good-paying union jobs
Establishing a Virtual Power Plant program, which pools energy from already built energy sources like household solar panels paired with battery storage, to deliver rapid savings
Strengthening energy efficiency programs
Empowering state agencies to better plan for future energy demand spikes

On May 31, 2026, a Trailer Bill to CRGA was passed, providing necessary clarifications for CRGA implementation. Senator Stadelman and Representative Williams sponsored this bill.

Learn more about benefits of CRGA according to Solar Powers Illinois and follow the Illinois Power Agency’s implementation of CRGA at the IPA CRGA Web Page.

Additional Resources

Illinois General Assembly - Read legislation, find bill sponsors and status of bill

Read more about Assembly energy and environment committees:

House Energy and Environment Committee - 104th General Assembly

Senate Energy and Public Utilities Committee - 104th General Assembly

Senate Environment and Conservation Committee - 104th General Assembly

Illinois Board of Elections - Learn who your legislators are

Environmental Law & Policy Center - Learn about the Midwest’s public interest environmental legal advocacy and eco-business innovation

The Vote Solar Initiative - Learn about solar state policies and initiatives, including lobby days

Illinois Environmental Council - Stay informed on environmental legislation with IEC's bill tracker and legislative updates

Sierra Club Illinois - Follow Sierra Club's environmental legislative goals and activities

Clean Grid Alliance (FKA Wind on the Wires, Illinois Wind Energy Association) - Learn more about expanding utility-scale clean energy in the Midwest