summary
Introduced
02/06/2026
02/06/2026
In Committee
02/13/2026
02/13/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
104th General Assembly
Bill Summary
Creates the District Energy and Thermal Energy Storage Parity Act. Provides that the Illinois Commerce Commission, in consultation with Environmental Protection Agency, shall establish an optional certification process for Qualified District Energy Infrastructure. Requires the Environmental Protection Agency to establish a grant program to support certain projects. Provides that, within 180 days after the effective date of the Act, the Commission shall initiate a docketed proceeding to develop standardized thermal service agreement templates, suitable for developer financing and underwriting, and minimum requirements for customer rate stabilization options. Provides that a developer shall obtain a District Energy Feasibility Assessment from a qualified preparer for certain projects. Sets forth requirements for the content of the District Energy Feasibility Assessment. Amends the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Requires the Department to develop and make available to units of local government a municipal alignment toolkit to facilitate the development and expansion of district energy systems. Requires the Department to establish and administer a district energy expansion program to support the development expansion, modernization, and decarbonization of district energy systems in the State. Amends the Illinois Finance Authority Act. Provides that the Authority may provide loans, credit enhancements, interest rate buydowns, loan loss reserves, or other financial assistance for the development, construction, expansion, or operation of the Qualified Energy Infrastructure and Dispatchable Thermal Energy Storage. Amends the Illinois Power Agency Act. Creates the Thermal Energy Storage Credit procurement program. Sets forth requirements for the program. Amends the Illinois Procurement Code. Sets forth provisions concerning district energy evaluation in State procurements. Amends the Use Tax Act, the Service Use Tax Act, the Service Occupation Tax Act, and the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act. Makes changes in provisions concerning exemptions. Amends the Property Tax Code. Defines "commercial energy storage system". Amends the Public Utilities Act. Sets forth provisions concerning district energy enabling measures and heat recovery incentives. Makes other changes.
AI Summary
This bill, the District Energy and Thermal Energy Storage Parity Act, aims to modernize and expand district energy systems in Illinois by establishing an optional certification process for "Qualified District Energy Infrastructure" and creating a grant program through the Environmental Protection Agency to support related projects. It mandates the Illinois Commerce Commission to develop standardized thermal service agreement templates and customer rate stabilization options within 180 days, and requires developers to obtain a "District Energy Feasibility Assessment" for certain projects. The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity will provide a municipal alignment toolkit to local governments and administer a district energy expansion program. The Illinois Finance Authority is empowered to offer financial assistance for qualified energy infrastructure and "Dispatchable Thermal Energy Storage," which refers to systems that can be controlled to reduce electric peak demand or shift electric load for heating or cooling. The Illinois Power Agency will create a Thermal Energy Storage Credit procurement program, and the bill also includes provisions for district energy evaluation in state procurements and makes changes to tax exemptions for eligible property related to district energy and thermal energy storage. Additionally, it defines "commercial energy storage system" for property tax purposes and incentivizes utilities to establish rebate programs for district energy enabling measures and heat recovery.
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Referred to Rules Committee (on 02/13/2026)
bill text
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
Loading...