ComEd and the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus have announced the fourth cohort of communities participating in the EV Readiness Program, an initiative designed to help local governments in Illinois prepare for the growing demand for electric vehicles (EVs) and charging infrastructure.
This newest cohort of 16 municipalities and regional organizations will receive technical assistance to update policies, streamline permitting, and support EV-related safety and training. They include including Blackhawk Hills Regional Council, Brookfield, Burr Ridge, Deerfield, Des Plaines, Downers Grove, Grayslake, Highland Park, Northbrook, Pingree Grove, Riverwoods, Sandwich, Streamwood, Vernon Hills, Winnetka, and Woodridge.
Launched in 2022, the EV Readiness Program helps local governments plan for transportation electrification by providing guidance on infrastructure deployment, permitting, public education, and emergency response. Participants work toward EV Ready Bronze, Silver, or Gold designations by completing key policy and implementation steps.
To date, 38 communities have completed the program, and with the addition of this cohort, more than 50 municipalities across northern Illinois will have engaged in EV readiness planning.
The program supports statewide goals under the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA), which targets one million EVs on Illinois roads by 2030.
The City of Des Plaines recently hosted the kickoff meeting for the fourth cohort, which is expected to complete the program in summer 2026. Training sessions include first responder safety courses and EV permitting instruction conducted by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 134.
ComEd also supports EV adoption through customer rebate programs launched in 2024 to expand charging infrastructure and electrify public, commercial, and residential fleets. To date, more than $100 million in rebates have been awarded, with over half of the funding reserved for equity investment eligible and low-income communities. To ensure equitable access to EVs, ComEd’s programs reserve over 50% of all funding for equity investment eligible communities (EIEC), as defined by the state of Illinois, or for low-income customers.
The EV Readiness Program has been recognized for its innovation, earning the Innovative Community Program/Special Project Award from the Illinois Association of Municipal Management Assistants and a Top 100 Finalist placement in the 2024 Chicago Innovation Awards.
Filed Under: Technology News