$500,000 for Biogas and Biomass Energy Programs
The focus of the Biogas and Biomass to Energy Grant Program, through the Renewable Energy Resources Program (RERP), is to demonstrate the use of biogas and biomass for on-site energy generation at facilities in Illinois. Projects designed to use biogas or biomass as a source of fuel to produce electricity with combined heat and power (CHP) through gasification, co-firing or anaerobic digestion technologies are being targeted. The biogas and biomass grant program will provide a 50% cost-share for energy feasibility studies or for the installation of equipment for these purposes. The maximum grants available for feasibility studies, biogas projects, and biomass projects are $2,500, $225,000, and $500,000, respectively. All projects must be located in Illinois within the service areas of utilities. A list of these utilities is available from the grant guidelines posted on the project website. Eligible applicants include state and local government entities, public and private schools, universities, businesses, non-profit organizations, and individuals.  Contact:  Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, Bureau of Energy and Recycling, James R. Thompson Center, 100 W. Randolph, Suite 3-400, Chicago, IL 60601; 312-814-4763; Fax:  312-814-1800; http://www.commerce.state.il.us/dceo/Bureaus/Energy_Recycling/Energy/Clean+Energy/

Go Green & Get a Faster Permit and Fee Waiver
The Chicago Department of Buildings (DOB) Green Permit Program provides developers and owners with an incentive to build green by streamlining the permit process timeline for projects which are designed to maximize indoor air quality and conserve energy and resources. Projects accepted into the Green Permit Program can receive permits in less than 30 business days or in as little as 15 business days. The number of green building elements included in the project plans and project complexity determines the length of the timeline. Projects which meet more stringent sustainability guidelines may also qualify for a waiver of consultant code review fees.  Interested applicants are encouraged to involve DOB early in the design process. DOB will help to guide the applicant through the process to ensure the shortest permitting process time.  Contact: City of Chicago, Department of Buildings, 121 N. Clark St., Rm. 906, Chicago, IL 60602; 312-744-6575; http://www.cityofchicago.org/city/webportal/portalEntityHomeAction.do?entityName=Green+Buildings&entityNameEnumValue=194

Up to $1,000 Rebates to Increase Your Home's Efficiency
City Water Light and Power offers three rebates to Springfield residential customers for increasing the energy efficiency of their homes: 1) Air-to-Air and Geothermal Heat Pump:  size of rebate is based on BTUh cooling capacity, cooling efficiency and category, as defined by program rules; minimum rebate is $200 for air-to-air and $1,000 for geothermal systems; 2) Insulation: 30% of project cost, up to a maximum rebate of $500; and 3) Water Heater: $200 per unit.  Customers interested in the water heater rebate must be pre-certified by CWLP before removing existing gas water heaters and before purchasing or installing new electric water heaters in their new or existing homes. CWLP requires a post installation inspection before awarding the rebate. Visit the website for more details and application forms. Rebates are available only to CWLP electric customers.  Contact: City Water Light and Power, Energy Services Office, 2nd Floor, 231 S. 6th St., Springfield, IL 62701; 217-789-2070; Fax:  217-789-2210; http://www.cwlp.com/Energy_services/ESO_services_programs/energy_rebates_newWaterHtrReb.htm
Application:  http://www.cwlp.com/Energy_services/ESO_services_programs/energy_rebates_newWaterHtrReb.htm#Rebate%20Application%20Forms

Grants to Develop Energy Efficient Affordable Housing
The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) provides grants through the Energy Efficient Affordable Housing Construction Program. Under this Program, grants are provided to Illinois based non-profit and for-profit housing developers to include energy efficient building practices in the rehab or new construction of affordable housing units. This grant helps offset the incremental cost of going from typical construction to energy-efficient construction.  Maximum grant amounts can be found on the website below.  Contact:  Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, Bureau of Energy and Recycling, 620 E. Adams Street, Springfield, IL 62701; 217-782-7500 or 217-785-2373; Fax:  217-785-2618; http://www.illinoisbiz.biz/dceo/Bureaus/Energy_Recycling/Energy/Energy+Efficiency/housing_energy_program.htm
Application:  http://www.illinoisbiz.biz/NR/rdonlyres/EEDBC8EE-FDAB-46AF-B748-964E0703D832/0/EEACHeepguidelinesFINAL42808.pdf

$10,000 for Renewable Energy Improvements
The Renewable Energy Resources Program (RERP) provides rebates for solar-energy systems installed in Illinois after January 1, 2008. The program offers rebates of up to 30% of an individual system's cost, with a maximum individual award of $10,000. Eligible applicants include individuals, businesses, associations, public and private schools, colleges and universities, and non-profit organizations. Projects with total costs exceeding $50,000 are ineligible, and rebates are not available for projects that receive private-foundation funding in excess of 30% of the total project cost.  To learn more, contact:  Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, Bureau of Energy and Recycling, 620 East Adams Street, Springfield, IL 62704; 217-785-3420 or 217-782-7500; http://www.commerce.state.il.us/dceo/Bureaus/Energy_Recycling/Energy/Clean+Energy/01-RERP.htm
Application:  http://www.commerce.state.il.us/NR/rdonlyres/D18E3734-4E41-4027-A9D4-81489F107ADA/0/FY09RERPSolarEnergyRebateGuidelines.pdf

Tax Exemption for Energy Upgraded Properties
Illinois offers a special assessment of solar energy systems for property-tax purposes. For property owners who register with a chief county assessment officer, solar energy equipment is valued at no more than a conventional energy system. Eligible equipment includes both active and passive solar-energy systems. The exemption is not valid for equipment that is equally usable in a conventional energy system or for components that serve non-solar energy generating (e.g., structural, aesthetic, insulating, etc.) purposes.  Find out more by contacting:  Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, Bureau of Energy and Recycling, James R. Thompson Center, 100 W. Randolph, Suite 3-400, Chicago, IL 60601; 312-814-4763; Fax:  312-814-1800; http://www.commerce.state.il.us/dceo/Bureaus/Energy_Recycling/Energy
Application:  Fill out the PTAX-330 form and file it with your chief county assessor:
http://www.revenue.state.il.us/taxforms/howto.htm

The Frontera Farmer Foundation is committed to promoting small, sustainable Midwestern farms serving the Chicago area, by providing them with capital development grants.  The Frontera Farmer Foundation will award grants for capital improvements of up to $12,000 to small and medium-size, individually owned farms that sell their food products to customers in the Chicago area at farmers markets and otherwise. Farmers must have been in business for at least two years and must demonstrate how the grant will improve both their farm’s viability and the availability of locally grown food products in the Chicago area. Grant applicants will be judged on the basis of demonstrated need, long-term dedication to sustainable farming, creative and business acumen, and commitment to sustainability.  Contact:  Frontera Farmer Foundation, 445 North Clark Street, Chicago, IL  60610; 312-661-1434; http://www.rickbayless.com/foundation/downloadapp.html
Application:  http://www.rickbayless.com/pdf/2009_fff_application.pdf