Chicago Construction News staff writer
Illinois has been granted $14.9 million from the US Department of Transportation to expand electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure.
The proposed project, the “State of Illinois Community Charging Program,” is for community-based transportation efforts across Illinois and prioritize equity in the clean energy movement. The program serves 273 project sites, 144 in or in close to disadvantaged communities.
Funding will pay for construction of 845 Level 2 EV Charging stations, and 36 DC Fast Charge stations, with 43 percent for disadvantaged community projects and 63% in dense, urban communities with a high percentage of multi-family housing, as well as rural communities and small towns.
“CEJA prioritizes measurable progress on climate; authentic community voices through Justice40; and partnerships across regions and organizations. In awarding CFI to Illinois, the United States Department of Transportation has demonstrated that the federal government is aligned with Illinois goals under CEJA,” said Chris Meister, executive director of Illinois Finance Authority/Climate Bank.
Level 2 chargers are typically found in parking lots, offering alternating current (AC) charging at 240 volts, which can recharge a typical EV overnight.
They can also be installed in a home’s garage, but the new funding aims to install public chargers in dense urban communities with a high percentage of multi-family housing.
“Building sustainable communities means investing in a clean energy future,” said U.S. Representative Eric Sorenson. “As more Americans switch to using electric cars and vehicles, we need to make sure we have the charging infrastructure in place to support this growth, meaning we can create more good-paying jobs in the process.
“This critical funding will help make the decision to go electric more accessible for middle-class families across Illinois.”
