Gov. Pritzker Announces First Electric Vehicle Chargers Installed at Illinois State Parks

EAST ST LOUIS- Today, Governor Pritzker joined the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and local leadership to announce a donation of multiple electronic vehicle chargers to the state from the electric mobility company EVBox. Visitors to Illinois state parks will be able to conveniently charge their electric vehicles while camping overnight or stopping for an afternoon hike thanks to the company’s 40 Level 2 electric vehicle (EV) chargers, which will be placed at Illinois state parks, historic sites, museums, beaches, and other widely used public areas.

“I am proud to announce that the Illinois Department of Natural Resources has installed the first set of electric vehicle charging stations at four Illinois state parks with the help of our partners at EVBox,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “This is a milestone that brings us closer to reaching our ambitious goals of encouraging a reduction in fossil fuel emissions, advancing further electric vehicle adoption by making charging more convenient, and making it easier for people to explore all that our incredible state parks have to offer.”

Three of the chargers have been installed in state parks that are within 60 miles driving distance of St. Louis: Frank Holten State Park in East St. Louis, Eldon Hazlet State Recreation Area near Carlyle, and Washington County State Recreation Area near Nashville. A fourth charger was installed at Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Fish and Wildlife Area in Cass County in central Illinois.

"We know the future is electric and we're committed to making sustainable transportation more accessible, not just for Illinois residents, but visitors too," said Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton. "By bringing EV chargers to these sites, we are supporting our clean energy goals so more and more people can enjoy Illinois!"

These are the first EV chargers made available for public use by the State of Illinois. The state will not charge a fee for drivers to use the chargers.

Additional EVBox chargers will be installed at IDNR sites around Illinois, including Starved Rock State Park in LaSalle County, Giant City State Park in Jackson County, Shabbona Lake State Recreation Area in Dekalb County, William Powers State Recreation Area in Cook County, and more.

To help advance electric mobility in their home state, EVBox, based in Libertyville, teamed up with the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR). Together, they worked on a plan designed to significantly boost the availability of charging stations statewide.

“It’s an honor to be part of the effort to electrify Illinois’ beautiful state parks and support Governor Pritzker’s ambitious vision for a greener, more sustainable future. On behalf of EVBox, we’re thrilled to mark the first of several donations of EV chargers to be installed across the state parks” said Dan Fedor, EVBox’s North American Senior Business Development Manager. “Together, we’re making EV charging more accessible and helping to preserve the environment for generations to come.”

Illinois joins other states, including Michigan, Minnesota, and Tennessee in offering EV chargers at state parks. The addition of chargers in parks reinforces goals set forth in IDNR’s climate action plan, a roadmap for zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. In addition, IDNR Director Natalie Phelps Finnie said the department is proud to offer this convenience to EV drivers while also encouraging them to visit scenic parks and historic sites around Illinois. ​

“We’re incredibly grateful to EVBox for this generous donation of EV chargers to Illinois state parks and for its commitment to building out the state’s charging network, particularly in more rural and underserved areas of the state. This is a wonderful partnership,” said Director Finnie. “We invite tourists and visitors to charge up their cars while they recharge their mental health at an Illinois state park.”

“Illinois' new EV charging stations are an important contribution to the State's efforts to create a greener future,” said DCEO Director Kristin Richards. “DCEO is committed to building a greener and more eco-friendly environment for our visitors, while also expanding opportunities in the EV industry for our world-class workforce.”

“With more EV charging stations popping up, this trend continues to show our commitment toward creating a cleaner and more sustainable future,” said State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Swansea). “This opens a pathway for residents to choose more environmentally friendly vehicle options, while benefiting our environment, health and economy, too.”

“Today, we celebrate a great advancement in our state’s commitment to the ever-changing needs of Illinois families. As electric vehicles continue to become more prevalent, it’s important that we give Illinoisans access to chargers,” said State Rep. Kevin Schmidt (R-Cahokia Heights). “The installation of EV charging stations at Frank Holten State Park represents a thoughtful approach to enhancing our parks as the growth of electric vehicles continues. This step will ensure that our parks will remain accessible for generations to come.” ​

“It’s important that Illinois continues to be at the forefront of infrastructure investments that prepare us to meet the demands of today and tomorrow,” said State Rep. Jay Hoffman (D-Swansea). “Electric vehicle usage continues to rise in our state, and these charging stations will be of great use for our community.”

“It’s important to have the charging infrastructure in place so that people in our region can transition to an EV if they are interested. The lack of available charging locally shouldn’t be a barrier to anyone exploring their options in transportation,” said State Rep. Katie Stuart (D-Collinsville). “This charging station will enhance the network that exists here in the Metro East, and the location close to major interstates will support EV users as they go to work and school every day.”

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