About IGEN

The Illinois Green Economy Network (IGEN) was formed in 2008 through an intergovernmental agreement with support from the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, the Governor’s Office, and the Illinois Community College Board. Funds are utilized to support the consortium of all 39 Illinois community college districts (35 active members). A Presidents’ Steering Committee governs IGEN.

IGEN’s mission is to provide a platform for collaboration among all Illinois community colleges and their partners to drive the growth of the clean energy economy and green workforce. Our vision is to ensure that the Illinois community college system serves as a global leader in transforming the economy and education for a sustainable future. Our funds help support community colleges in eight focus areas: building sciences, energy, food, manufacturing, natural resources, transportation, waste, and water.

Presently, the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency funds IGEN through a $2.5M grant. These funds were appropriated from the Renewable Energy Resources Trust Fund through Public Act 100-0586. The purpose of these funds is to support education and training for renewable energy and energy efficiency technology, and for the operations/services of the network.

Impact of IGEN

Since 2018, IGEN has been awarded over $11M in funding from grants through the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, the Office of the Illinois Secretary of State, and the U.S. Department of Energy. Most of our funding, $9M, has been reallocated to 35 colleges for more than 150 projects related to energy and sustainability.

Additionally, IGEN has successfully managed the implementation of numerous other grant-funded sustainability-related initiatives, programs, and projects at Illinois community colleges statewide, totaling over $30 million.

2023 Highlights

  • 24 colleges created and/or expanded curricula for over 70 certificate and degree programs or courses to include energy efficiency and/or renewable energy, including career pathways into the energy industry.
  • 21 colleges installed renewable energy/solar projects on campus, totaling almost 2,000 kW, all including a component of demonstration, education, and/or training.
  • 17 colleges implemented energy efficiency or renewable energy-related capital, equipment, and installation/upgrade projects for campuses as living laboratories, including a component of demonstration, education, and/or training.
  • 16 colleges are increasing the state’s electric vehicle infrastructure by installing charging stations, including integration into campus automotive programs.
  • Six colleges offered over 30 campus and community outreach programs/trainings focused on renewable energy and energy efficiency topics.
  • Five colleges conducted energy-related feasibility studies and implemented recommendations.
  • Over 13,000 students trained in energy efficiency and renewable energy-related programs.
  • In FY2023, 31 colleges submitted 66 proposals totaling $5M resulting in 32 energy-related projects funded at 24 colleges.
  • From 2020-2022, five colleges participated in a U.S. DOE Cooperative Agreement for $1.25M to develop solar training curriculum.
  • More than 40 businesses engaged with the network to increase career pathways into the energy industry.
  • Based on the U.S. Department of Energy’s formula, an estimated 120 jobs were retained because of this funding and because of IGEN supported projects.