EnergySense Resilience Center

On 6/25, 2:00 ET, American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy will present: Bridging the Equity Gap: How to Ensure Utility Efficiency Programs Serve Struggling Families Amid Rising Energy Costs, Together, a webinar that will explore program designs that “deliver energy savings & reduce energy burdens & policy strategies that help make these programs more equitable and successful.”

More Americans are struggling to pay their energy bills. US low-income households carry energy burdens 3 times higher than the average. According to the ACEEE, “Households with high energy burdens are more likely to also experience adverse health impacts and other forms of economic stress. Increasing energy efficiency of these homes can help reduce energy bills and energy burdens. And while utility investment in efficiency programs specifically targeted to meet the needs of these households has increased over the last decade, utilities are still under-investing in these critical programs, leaving an equity gap to fill.”

Register here: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/9317809308293/WN_9sws9xsGTR6E3eRE0swYdQ #/registration

This is a reminder that you are cordially invited to join us June 17th for our next electric outdoor tools Field Day to explore the climate benefits of electric outdoor equipment at the at Sangchris Lake State Park (9898 Cascade Rd, Rochester, IL 62563).

The Field Day will feature a discussion & demonstration of electric outdoor equipment for both commercial & residential purposes that reduce fuel use and costs, while decreasing climate emissions from maintaining landscapes. Attendees will learn the feasibility of electric tools for their needs such as lawn mowers, string trimmers, chainsaws and more. Also, we will also discuss how the use of electric tools help the Illinois Department of Natural Resources reduce its climate footprint through its climate action plan; check out that plan here: https://dnr.illinois.gov/outreach/climate-action-plan.html

The event is free and open to the public! Register here: https://energysense.uillinois.edu/events/electric-mowing-and-tool-field-day-3-2-2/

Illinois Innovation Network is calling for proposals for the IIN Conference 2026: Powering Illinois’ Future Together to be held October 22-23, 2026 Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.

This conference provides a forum to gather university faculty researchers, students, funded program managers, as well as business & industry innovators from across the region to showcase, discuss & learn about projects to support ethical, socially engaged, and sustainable economic growth in Illinois. Participants will contribute and consider sustainable approaches to clean energy production, developments in next generation agriculture technologies, and advancements in a range of biotechnologies. The deadline for proposals in June 15th, this Monday.

For further details and to submit a proposal, visit the conference website:

Illinois Innovation Network Conference 2026: Powering Illinois’ Future Together Southern Illinois University Edwardsville will host “Illinois Innovation Network Conference 2026: Powering Illinois’ Future Together” on October 22-23, 2026.

Illinois environmental justice activists are celebrating the passage of Illinois Senate Bill 3772, which expands the regulatory obligations over industrial air polluters in environmental justice communities.

The bill amends the Illinois Environmental Protection Act to require IL Environmental Protection Agency to consider cumulative pollution and other burdens when evaluating certain air emission permits for construction. Gina Ramirez, director of Midwest environmental health at the NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council) said, “I’m excited about this [bill] because it’s going to put more mechanisms in place so other families who live in environmental justice communities in Illinois don’t have to go through what we went through."

Also, Illinois EPA is empowered by the bill to factor past environmental violations when considering applicants' permit requests. Photo courtesy of Inside Climate News. For more details, check out their story here: https://insideclimatenews.org/local/illinois/

Join the EnergySense Resilience Center and partners for “Using Safer, Sustainable Food Packaging,” a free in-person workshop on June 11th from 10 am -12 pm at the Oak Park Public Library.

Traditional single-use foodware, such as plastic takeout containers, can contain coatings that leach harmful chemicals known as PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) into our food and beverages, potentially causing adverse health effects. This workshop is designed to help food business owners address PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) risks in food packaging and provide resources to navigate the transition to sustainable alternatives.

For registration and further details, click: https://energysense.uillinois.edu/events/using-safer-sustainable-food-packaging/

Join # and EnergySense for a free webinar on June 10 at 1:30pm to learn how a local manufacturer, Chicago Glue and Machine, successfully achieved Illinois Green Business Certification with the help of Sustainable DuPage.

In this webinar, Chicago Glue and Machine will share their journey—from their initial Sustainable DuPage assessment to implementing cost saving improvements and ultimately earning statewide green certification. Whether you’re just beginning to explore sustainability or looking for a proven path to certification, this webinar offers actionable insights from a business that’s already done it—right here in DuPage County.

Click here to register: https://energysense.uillinois.edu/events/from-assessment-to-illinois-green-business-certification-a-sustainable-dupage-webinar/

Wow! We had so much fun at the electric outdoor tools field day at William Powers yesterday, we’ve decided to do it again!

Join us Wed. June 17th for our next electric outdoor tools field day to explore the climate benefits of electric outdoor equipment at the at Sangchris Lake State Park (9898 Cascade Rd, Rochester, IL 62563), which will feature a discussion & demo of electric outdoor equipment for both commercial & residential purposes that reduce fuel use & costs, while decreasing climate emissions from maintaining landscapes. Attendees will learn the feasibility of electric tools for their needs such as lawn mowers, string trimmers, chainsaws and more. Also, we'll discuss how electric tools help the Illinois Department of Natural Resources reduce its climate footprint through its climate action plan; check out that plan here: https://dnr.illinois.gov/outreach/climate-action-plan.html

The event is free and open to the public! Register here: https://energysense.uillinois.edu/events/electric-mowing-and-tool-field-day-3-2-2/

The Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity (DCEO) is seeking stakeholder feedback to update the Clean Jobs Curriculum Framework under the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA).

Input will help ensure the Framework reflects current industry needs and is practical for implementation. Responses should be concise and non-confidential; all submissions will be made public. The submission deadline has been extended by one week in response to stakeholder feedback to June 7, 2026. Access the full RFI here: https://forms.illinois.edu/sec/1653352422

We have a busy month of clean energy and sustainability events this June! Join us! For more details, and to register, visit our Events page here: https://energysense.uillinois.edu/events

On June 11th, EnergySense will provide in person energy code training at Moraine Valley Community College on the 2024 Illinois Energy Conservation Code (IECC) Updates.

The 2024 IECC was released in May 2024, updating the 2021 IECC. This training session will cover these updates, as well as the amendments that were adopted into the 2024 Illinois Energy Conservation Code (ILECC). Projects with permit application dates after the effective date of Nov. 30, 2025, must now comply with the updated energy code. Join us for this 3-hour training to learn about the now current 2024 Illinois Energy Conservation Code requirements for commercial and residential projects.

Click here to register: https://forms.illinois.edu/sec/1166045817