Benefits
- Business assessment to chart your path to business growth through achieving goals supported by program resources and services
- No cost access to business coaching, direct services, networking opportunities, and training opportunities
- Referrals and connections to resources outside of the Contractor Incubator Hub program
Eligibility
Business owners from priority communities are encouraged to apply to this program. Priority communities include owners of clean energy contractor businesses and nonprofits who:
- Reside in the following defined geographic areas. To check whether you reside in these areas, input your address in the map at this link CEJA Illinois Map.
- A Restore, Reinvest, Renew (“R3”) Area, as defined in Section 10-40 of the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act
- An Environmental Justice Community, as defined by the Illinois Power Agency
- Who face barriers to employment, including
- Low educational attainment
- Prior involvement with the criminal legal system
- Language barriers
- Are graduates of or currently enrolled in the foster care system
- Are displaced energy workers, as defined in the Energy Community Reinvestment Ac
- Overall: Equitably grow the clean energy workforce to meet the demand for clean energy technologies and services.
- Increase business opportunities for clean energy contractors and nonprofits located in areas impacted by economic, social, and environmental challenges.
- Help clean energy contractors grow their businesses and participate in business opportunities in the clean energy sector.
1. One-Third of Program Placements
Dedicate at least one-third of program placements to:
• Owners of clean energy contractor businesses and nonprofits who reside in a geographic area that is impacted by both:
o (i) A Restore, Reinvest, Renew (“R3”) Area, as defined in Section 10-40 of the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act
o (ii) An Environmental Justice Community, as defined by the Illinois Power Agency
Note: Racial or ethnic indicators used by the agency are excluded unless and until a constitutional basis for their inclusion is established.
| 1. One-Third of Program Placements Dedicate at least one-third of program placements to: • Owners of clean energy contractor businesses and nonprofits who reside in a geographic area that is impacted by both: o (i) A Restore, Reinvest, Renew (“R3”) Area, as defined in Section 10-40 of the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act o (ii) An Environmental Justice Community, as defined by the Illinois Power Agency Note: Racial or ethnic indicators used by the agency are excluded unless and until a constitutional basis for their inclusion is established. Among these applicants, give preference to those who: • Face barriers to employment, including Low educational attainment o Prior involvement with the criminal legal system o Language barriers • Are graduates of or currently enrolled in the foster care system 2. Two-Thirds of Program Placements Dedicate at least two-thirds of program placements to: • Owners of clean energy contractor businesses and nonprofits who: o Meet the criteria listed above, or o Reside in an equity investment eligible community (R3 or EJ) Among these applicants, give preference to those who: • Face barriers to employment, including: o Low educational attainment o Prior involvement with the criminal legal system o Language barriers o Are graduates of or currently enrolled in the foster care system 3. Remaining Program Placements Prioritize the remaining program placements for: • Displaced energy workers, as defined in the Energy Community Reinvestment Act • Individuals who face barriers to employment, including: o Low educational attainment o Prior involvement with the criminal legal system o Language barriers • Applicants who are graduates of or currently enrolled in the foster care system, regardless of area of residence Additional Consideration Give further consideration to any current or past participant in the following programs: Clean Jobs Workforce Network Program • Illinois Climate Works Pre-Apprenticeship Program • Returning Residents Clean Energy Jobs Training Programs |
| Targeted Communities The program serves 14 areas:
• Chicago (South Side) • Chicago (Southwest and West Sides) • Waukegan • Rockford • Aurora • Joliet • Kankakee • Peoria • Champaign Eligible Communities Criteria:1. Restore, Reinvest, Renew (“R3”) Areas
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In the text of custom-designed materials, Incubators may choose from the following phrases or similar language when assigning attribution to the Clean Energy Contractor Incubator Program.
In the text of custom-designed materials, Incubators may choose from the following phrases or similar language when assigning attribution to the Clean Energy Contractor Incubator Program.
- “A Partner of the CEJA Illinois Clean Energy Contractor Incubator Program”
- “Funded by the CEJA Illinois Clean Energy Contractor Incubator Program”
- “[Organization Name] is a Partner of the CEJA Illinois Clean Energy Contractor Incubator Program”
Incubators shall not describe services as “free.” All references should instead use the term “no-cost” to accurately reflect that services are provided without charge to participants but are supported by public funding.
Contractor Incubators, the Department, and Regional Administrators must protect the confidentiality of any personal information provided by program participants, including:
- Status as a formerly incarcerated individual
- Status as a graduate of or current enrollee in the foster care system
If the Incubator plans to use a unique client story that includes either or both of these types of personal information a signed client release form must be obtained from the participating contractor. This release form should then be submitted to your Network Coordinator prior to using the story in any publications, presentations, or promotional materials.
Any person applying to the program may elect not to disclose:
Whether they are a foster care graduate or enrollee
Whether they have been formerly convicted
Get Started Today
Join a community of contractors building a cleaner, more efficient Illinois. Apply now by completing an Intake Form using the following link [insert link]. If you need assistance completing the Intake Form, please contact the program team below.