The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (the “Department” or “DCEO”) is is accepting applications to support the Illinois Clean Jobs Workforce Network Program, a network of 14 Illinois Clean Jobs Program delivery hub sites (“Workforce Hubs”) throughout the State to recruit and provide clean energy and related workforce training to jobseekers.
Donor Name: Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity
State: Illinois
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 07/14/2025
Size of the Grant: More than $1 million
Grant Duration: 1 Year
Details:
The Clean Jobs Workforce Network Program is part of a highly interconnected set of Illinois statewide clean energy workforce and contractor development programs.
Workforce Hub Components
- Participant recruitment. Provide outreach, in coordination with Energy Transition Navigators and other community partners, to recruit program-eligible individuals for the training program.
- Training delivery. Provide training, certification preparation, job readiness, and skill development to program participants, utilizing the Clean Jobs Curriculum Framework (described below) to prepare people for entry-level clean energy jobs. The training will consist of a bridge program (essential employability skills and clean energy basics) and at least two job-specific training options, selected by each Workforce Hub and based on local clean energy workforce needs.
- Employer partnerships. Develop partnerships with entities that provide clean energy jobs, including businesses, nonprofits, and worker-owned cooperatives, to ensure Program participants have priority access to employment training, work-based learning opportunities, and hiring activities.
- Barrier reduction services. Provide supportive services to mitigate challenges participants may face in accessing and completing the training. Services may include but are not limited to transportation costs, technology assistance, emergency bill payments, personal health, childcare assistance, tuition assistance, food assistance, referrals to other services, tutoring, and more.
- Transition services. Provide transition services to participants following completion to help them find jobs, succeed in the workplace, and build their careers.
Funding Information
Total amount of funding expected to be awarded through this NOFO is up to approximately $10 million for the Clean Jobs Workforce Network Program and up to approximately $3.5 million for the Energy Transition Barrier Reduction Services Program for a statewide total of up to $13.5 million for the first 12 months of the program.
- The initial grant awards will range from approximately $500,000 to $3,000,000 for the delivery of the Clean Jobs Workforce Network Program in each region identified in Section A of this NOFO.
- The initial grant awards range from approximately $500,000 to $1,000,000 for the delivery of the Energy Transition Barrier Reduction services to support the Clean Jobs Workforce Network Program in each of the regions identified in this NOFO.
- The initial grant awards for the two programs combined will range from approximately $1,000,000 to $4,000,000 for each Workforce Hub location identified in this NOFO. The Department expects to make one award per open region (Carbondale, Danville, Peoria, Kankakee) through this NOFO.
Grant Period
Anticipated start date for awards is September 1, 2025. The period of performance is expected to be September 1, 2025 through August 31, 2026.
Eligible Locations
The regional Clean Jobs Workforce Hubs include:
- Chicago (Southwest and West Sides)
- Waukegan
- Rockford
- Aurora
- Joliet
- Peoria
- Champaign
- Danville
- Decatur
- Carbondale
- East St. Louis
- Alton
- Kankakee (effective July 1, 2025).
Eligibility Criteria
Eligible applicants are community-based organizations, defined as organizations that:
- Provide employment, skill development or related services to members of the community;
- Includes community colleges, nonprofits, and local governments;
- Has at least one main operating office in the community or region it serves; and
- Demonstrates relationships with residents and other organizations serving the community.
For more information, visit DCEO.
