On Oct. 30, Illinois legislators passed the Clean & Reliable Grid Affordability Act (CRGA Act/SB 25) during the 2025 veto session. The bill that’s now on the governor’s desk aims to strengthen Illinois’ energy grid and protect communities from rising energy costs.
As energy-intensive data centers expand and capacity prices spike further, Illinois is expecting to see significantly rising electricity bills for communities across the state. The CRGA Act is designed to address these challenges by strengthening the state’s Renewable Portfolio Standard and ensuring that the state stays on track to meet its clean energy goals. By incentivizing new storage buildouts and VPP programs, Illinois communities will be better protected from rising energy costs and a strained energy grid.
“Illinois lawmakers listened to their communities and took pivotal action to pass the CRGA Act, ensuring that the state remains a national leader in building a reliable, affordable, and equitable clean energy future,” said Kavi Chintam, campaign manager for Illinois at Vote Solar. “While we are facing many federal uncertainties, this marks a huge win. Our state leaders remained committed to strengthening our clean energy goals and protecting families from rising energy costs.”
Original analysis from Vote Solar has shown how programs like Illinois Solar for All and Illinois Shines are essential for expanding access to solar, lowering energy bills and creating local jobs. With complementary policies from the CRGA Act, Illinois will continue to support local economic growth, affordability and equitable access to solar.
“Illinois leaders are showing what it means to take charge of our energy future,” said Abigail Ross Hopper, president and CEO of SEIA. “The Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act is a blueprint for how to meet growing electricity demand while keeping costs down and building a stronger, more resilient grid. By investing in solar, storage, and a forward-looking Virtual Power Plant program, this bill will create good jobs and empower Illinois families and businesses. The solar and storage industry urges Governor Pritzker to sign it into law so other states look to Illinois as proof that smart policy can deliver affordability, reliability and clean energy growth all at once.”
News item from Vote Solar
