Gov. Pritzker Signs Historic Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act
Bill will lower monthly utility bills for working families while strengthening grid; Bill expected to save Illinois consumers $13.4 billion over the next 2 decades
January 8, 2026
JOLIET — Today, Governor JB Pritzker joined elected officials and advocates to sign the Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act (CRGA), SB 25, marking a historic measure 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.
“In Illinois, we are pursuing every available option to produce affordable, efficient, clean, and abundant energy. We are leaving no stone unturned in the work to produce more electricity, lower prices for our people, and secure our long-term energy future,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “The Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act sets a national standard in the effort to lower energy costs and marks a historic step forward in our clean energy vision. Once again, Illinois is stepping up where the federal government is failing.”
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.
“While Trump is lining billionaires’ pockets, families are struggling to make ends meet. Under this law, we'll end price gouging by private grid owners and begin to bring down costs here in Illinois, starting with people’s utility bill,” said Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton. “Energy prices will come down without sacrificing our other priorities — Illinois will continue to be a leader in renewable energy and grid reliability.”
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.
- Lift the moratorium on new, large nuclear reactors: This measure will promote new, carbon-free energy resources.
- 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.
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING
“This comprehensive measure is going to provide relief for consumers, drive job creation, and help to secure our energy future,” said State Rep. Jay Hoffman (D-Swansea). “We want Illinois to be at the forefront of a 21st century economy, and this plan will help us increase our electric capacity and be ready to meet the demand of communities across our 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 law gives Illinois the tools to keep costs under control and prepare our energy system for the future,” said State Senator Bill Cunningham (D-Chicago). “It’s about making smart investments today that pay off for consumers tomorrow.”
“As Illinois and the rest of the nation face spikes in energy prices, this new law brings much-needed relief for families and gives our state the resources to protect its residents from unprecedented federal cuts,” said State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford). “This law accomplishes our goal of saving Illinoisans hundreds of dollars on utility bills annually while transitioning the state to a more reliable energy grid.”
“Governor Pritzker’s signing of the Energy Omnibus marks a major step forward for Illinois’ clean energy future and the working people who will build it. This law makes clear that the clean energy transition in Illinois will be built by skilled, local union workers earning family-sustaining wages. By strengthening project labor agreements and expanding access to pre-apprenticeship programs, Illinois is ensuring that clean energy investment delivers real economic opportunity across our communities,” said AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Pat Devaney on behalf of Climate Jobs Illinois. “Labor leaders across the state collaborated closely to make sure this legislation puts workers at the center of Illinois’ energy strategy. Climate Jobs Illinois and the Illinois AFL-CIO are proud to support this law, and we are ready to help deliver on its promise by building a clean energy economy that is union-built and puts Illinois in a position for further growth and prosperity for all.”
“The Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act is a major win for working families and for the skilled union men and women who keep Illinois powered every day. At a time when private grid operators are driving up costs and families are feeling the squeeze, this legislation puts affordability, reliability, and accountability first,” said Mike Clemmons, IBEW International Vice President for the Sixth District. “By strengthening our electric grid and expanding cost-effective, clean energy resources, CRGA will lower monthly bills while creating good, family-sustaining union jobs across Illinois. I want to thank Governor JB Pritzker for his continued leadership and commitment to building an energy future that works for workers, consumers, and communities alike.”
“The Clean and Reliable Grid Act delivers a clean energy buildout at real scale — while ensuring that the jobs created are high-quality, local, and union-supported,” said James M. Sweeney, President-Business Manager at IUOE Local 150. “From battery storage and community solar to geothermal networks and grid upgrades, Illinois is pairing climate action with Project Labor Agreements, prevailing wage protections, and long-term workforce development.”
“We thank Governor Pritzker for his leadership in signing the Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act and for his continued commitment to putting working families first,” said Kevin McLaughlin, Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the Mid-America Carpenters Regional Council. “By building on the progress made under the CEJA, this legislation strengthens Illinois’ electric grid, reins in utility costs, and expands affordable clean energy — while advancing career opportunities for the next generation of union carpenters. CRGA proves that Illinois can protect energy affordability while investing in reliable infrastructure and growing a clean energy economy that delivers real benefits to workers and communities across the state.”
“With CRGA, Illinois is doubling down on its commitment to the clean energy goals we set in the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act while proactively working to address the energy affordability crisis spurred by the influx of data centers, poor regional planning, and federal attacks on clean energy,” said Kavi Chintam on behalf of the Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition (ICJC). “ICJC’s special interest is the public interest, and we spent the past two years advocating for CRGA because it's in the best interest of consumers, our grid, and our climate. We applaud Governor Pritzker and leaders in the General Assembly for their commitment to ensuring Illinois’ long-term energy plans are grounded in equity, consumer protection, reliability, and climate action.”
“Energy efficiency and distributed storage reduce costs, improve reliability, and create jobs across Illinois,” said David Kolata, Vice President of Policy at Sealed. “By signing the Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act, Illinois leaders are taking a major step to ease a pressing economic burden on households and businesses and ensure a more affordable, reliable energy future for the entire state.”
“The passage of CRGA is a win for Illinois. It provides a practical, forward-thinking path to tackle the state’s toughest energy challenges,” said Hugh Welsh, President and General Counsel at DSM-Firmenich North America. “Modernizing infrastructure, expanding access to clean and efficient energy, and preparing the grid for higher demand will help create the reliable, competitive energy system businesses like DSM-Firmenich need to compete in the 21st century economy.”
CRGA will take effect June 1, 2026.
###