Gabel-Led Historic Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act Signed into Law

JOLIET, Ill. — Today, Gov. JB Pritzker joined elected officials and advocates to sign the Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act (CRGA), SB 25, a historic measure state Rep. Robyn Gabel, D-Evanston, led the passage of to lower utility bills for working families while securing Illinois’ long-term energy future. Building upon the Future Energy Jobs Act (FEJA) and the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA), CRGA tackles rising electricity costs driven by private grid operators, expands cost-saving energy resources, and continues to grow Illinois’ clean energy economy across the state.

“The Trump Administration’s war on cheaper, clean energy is already hitting people’s pocketbooks and is putting our state and our country at risk of the lights going out,” said State Rep. Robyn Gabel (D-Evanston). “We are taking charge of our energy future in Illinois and setting the course for lower bills, cleaner air, and clean water for generations to come.”

This pivotal legislation comes as Illinoisans and working families nationwide saw significant increases in electricity bills. With private grid operators hiking rates and the Trump Administration rejecting low-cost, renewable energy options, Illinois is taking decisive action to make energy more affordable and help residents keep the lights on.

CRGA will lower costs by driving the development of new energy resources, enacting new regulatory powers to support consumers, and creating and enhancing consumer cost-saving programs. The Illinois Power Agency (IPA) found that CRGA’s critical measures are expected to save Illinois energy customers $13.4 billion over the next two decades.

Illinois’ clean energy transition has already delivered measurable results. Since the passage CEJA, Illinois has supported more than 6 gigawatts of renewable energy (enough to power roughly 4.5 million homes), with an additional 6 gigawatts currently under development. Today, Illinois ranks fifth in the nation for wind power generation — which has nearly tripled over the last decade. Illinois also ranks second in the Midwest for solar generation. Illinois also continues to be the nation’s top nuclear energy producer and exports approximately one-fifth of its electricity to other states.

LOWERING ENERGY COSTS

By addressing energy capacity needs and requiring utilities to help consumers achieve lower monthly bills, CRGA will make key strides in reducing Illinoisans’ energy bills and increasing the available electricity supply.

• Establish a State procurement of 3GW of grid-scale battery storage by 2030: Battery storage represents an essential technology that will meet Illinois’ growing energy capacity needs and lower utility bills.
• Create and expand programs to increase capacity and lower energy bills: CRGA will require utilities to create “Virtual Power Plant” programs that pay participating households and businesses to harness smart thermostats, solar panels, small batteries, and electric vehicles — putting money back in consumers’ pockets while strengthening our energy grid. The legislation will also expand energy efficiency programs to help households and businesses lower their energy use, and in turn, their energy bills.
• Promote energy equity: CRGA programs will require utility companies that are administering the State energy efficiency programs to meet a minimum level of spending for low-income households while removing the formula rates they receive for administering those programs. Additionally, utilities will be required to offer time-of-use pricing to allow residential customers to pay less for power used outside of peak times, delivering immediate monthly savings for customers who opt in.
• Create an Integrated Resource Planning (IRP) process: This process will find cost-effective ways to keep energy bills low and make necessary adjustments to State programs. The Illinois General Assembly will also have a period of time to reject any Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) decisions to raise rates.

 

STRENGTHENING ILLINOIS’ CLEAN ENERGY ECONOMY

In addition to promoting efficient energy use and establishing new energy sources, CRGA will help grow the clean energy economy, create new jobs, promote employment equity, and jumpstart new energy projects across Illinois.

• Search for new clean energy opportunities: Direct the IPA to propose long-term clean energy contract procurements for ICC approval.
• Protect clean energy growth from inflation: Prevent inflation from disrupting procurements by tying the Renewable Portfolio Standard budget cap to inflation.
• Encourage community-driven clean energy projects: Increase the maximum size for community solar projects to 10MW.
• Extend clean energy siting reforms to storage projects: Allow the ICC to accelerate renewable energy projects before federal tax credits expire.
• Establish a Solar Bill of Rights: Ensure Illinoisans served by municipal and cooperative utilities can install rooftop solar panels.
• Create and sustain equitable job opportunities:
  • Require grid-scale storage projects to meet labor and equity standards that ensure historically disadvantaged communities can benefit from new jobs created by these projects.
  • Fund technical assistance to help small and disadvantaged businesses comply with Project Labor Agreement requirements.
  • Require utilities to give the ICC 45 days’ notice before making substantial changes in their labor force, improving job stability.

 

CRGA will take effect June 1, 2026.