The Metropolitan Mayors Caucus awarded 23 local governments and community-based organizations in the ComEd service territory grants of up to $25,000 to conduct energy efficiency education and outreach to benefit low-income households. Through these new Low-Income Energy Efficiency Outreach & Engagement grants, the Caucus was able to award a total of $520,000 to 8 local governments, 14 community-based organizations and the South Suburban Mayor and Managers Association to support energy-efficiency education and outreach, reduce household energy burden, and build regional resilience in the Chicago metropolitan area.
Low-Income Energy Efficiency Outreach & Engagement grants will be awarded to the following communities and organizations:
A.N.C.H.O.R. Chicago will train and mobilize local youth as Energy Ambassadors who will engage residents through community events, workshops, and neighborhood canvassing around Moore Park and surrounding area . By combining peer education with hands-on demonstrations, the initiative will help families understand how to reduce energy costs, access rebates, and adopt energy-saving behaviors.
Black Lives Matter Lake County will integrate energy education into their existing programs that serve low-income residents of Waukegan, North Chicago, and Zion who are struggling with housing instability, high energy burdens, or economic hardship. They will empower families with practical, culturally appropriate, and easy-to-implement energy-saving strategies that help reduce costs and promote sustainability offered through monthly “Energy Awareness” events at accessible community spaces and distribution of energy tips kits that include practical items like LED bulbs, weatherization tape, and information about ComEd efficiency incentive and more.
Chicago Muslims Green Team will partner with the Salwa AlNahda center to add energy efficiency information to its bi-monthly food distribution program serving income-qualified residents of Worth, Chicago Ridge, Burbank, and Oak Lawn and will offer additional education at in-person events and through webinars and social media.
Chinese Mutual Aid Association will enhance their social services case management and outreach by providing energy efficiency education to predominantly low-income and limited English proficient, BIPOC, and immigrant communities in and around Uptown, West Ridge, and Elgin. Energy efficiency education will complement and expand their energy assistance services to increase the energy efficiency awareness of 2,000 residents, empowering them to lower their energy bills and consumption.
The City of Aurora will deliver energy efficiency education and outreach to income-eligible households in Aurora through three coordinated strategies: community-based events such as Aurora’s Greenfest that will have an energy efficiency theme; door-to-door engagement and collaboration with community organizations; and they will launch a digital and print outreach campaign to distribute educational and multilingual materials such as ComEd energy efficiency programs. Aurora plans to engage at least 1,000 income-eligible residents and aims to increase participation in low-income programs by 20% among those reached.
The City of Elgin plans to work with Community Contacts Inc. to help connect low-income residents access resources to make energy efficiency upgrades in their homes. They will will develop bilingual digital and physical educational resources that includes fliers, posters, content for social media, and interactive mini energy-saving demonstrations that can be used for in-person tabling events such as images showing energy savings with LED bulbs verses incandescent bulbs.
Community Care Outreach will aim to sustainably reduce energy burden and improve housing stability for low-income ComEd utility customers on Chicago’s South Side. Community Care Outreach Inc. will host 10 workshops that will provide energy efficiency education, resource navigation including on-site assistance for LIHEAP and ComEd program applications, and will distribute LED bulbs. The program aims to empower 500 consumers to make positive energy decisions.
Faith in Place will use its trusted messenger community outreach model to deliver impactful energy efficiency education to low-income residents in Cook County. Working with faith partners, they will present workshops; deliver education at community events hosted by other local organizations; and promote energy efficiency awareness through social media and on-one conversations with residents.
Imani Village will convene quarterly “Energy Brunch” meetings of residents, service providers, program administrators, and other interested parties at the Imani Village headquarters to present a specific example of energy efficiency practice or behavior that could be adopted in everyday life. They will seek to demystify energy efficiency by making it accessible, relevant, tangible and actionable.
Leyden Township will combine hands-on education, direct assistance, and community engagement using bilingual resources. They will hold workshops at the Community Center, Senior Center and Township Hall to teach practical strategies such as smart thermostat use, efficient appliance operation, and home weatherization basics. Outreach will extend through social media, township newsletters, water bill inserts and resource tables at food pantry and community events. Township staff will also help residents apply for rebates and free energy-saving programs while distributing efficiency starter kits.
Lyons Township will integrate energy efficiency education into existing programs such as driving classes for seniors, bingo, Repair Café, stress management workshops and routine township services where the Clerk’s Office engages with residents. They will create a visual display designed specifically to engage residents and show them that energy conservation is cool and will share energy efficiency information and through Township communications and community outreach
Rebuilding Together Metro Chicago provides no-cost home repairs and accessibility modifications for low-income, elderly, and disabled homeowners across Chicago and Cook County, helping them live in warmth, safety, and independence. They will integrate energy efficiency education and outreach into their existing programs reaching hundreds of homeowners through orientations, community events, home previews, application reviews, and volunteer-led workdays.
Respond Now will leverage its existing network of food, housing, and case management programs to deliver energy efficiency education and outreach to low-income ComEd customers across South Suburban Cook County. Through two client-choice food pantries, case management activities, supportive housing programs, and 11,000 pantry and housing service visits, they will reach more than 3,500 low income-eligible households annually.
Rockford Area Habitat for Humanity will host free community workshops at the Rockford Habitat ReStore intentionally focusing on the three lowest-income zip codes in Winnebago county that will teach practical strategies for conserving energy, lowering utility costs, and maintaining efficient homes. Additionally, they will host classroom and hands-on home building lessons on energy efficiency and sustainable building practices for students in partnership with Rockford Public Schools District 205 .
RR Trade School, Inc provides rigorous and relevant career and technical education in a dynamic, hands-on learning environment that results in skill-based knowledge and experience prepared for the evolving trades industry. They will integrate energy efficiency education into existing trade school curriculum and community outreach programs, using bilingual resources to reach students, families, and community members and teach them practical skills like understanding energy bills, identifying energy waste, using programmable thermostats, weatherization basics, and accessing ComEd income-qualified programs.
The Rutues Center for Business & People Development will engage low-income households on Chicago’s West Side through hands-on education, outreach events, and resource-sharing designed to increase awareness and participation in ComEd’s energy efficiency programs. They will partner with elected officials, local organizations, block clubs, and faith-based leaders to deliver workshops, neighborhood events, and digital outreach that helps residents understand how to reduce energy costs, access rebates, and adopt energy-saving practices at home.
South Suburban Mayors and Managers Association will provide technical assistance and direct support to communities in Southland environmental justice and low-income communities. Using their municipal network of 45 municipalities in southern Cook and Will counties, they will support development of clear, culturally responsive energy-efficiency education; target communications through city/village channels; community workshops and pop-ups; and convene local governments and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) to facilitate pathways that connect residents to utility-supported and state income-qualified programs.
Sustain Rockford will leverage its monthly Sustainability Movement Meetings to share energy efficiency information, cultivate a speakers bureau of members to make presentations in the community, and create and distribute informational posters. Additionally, they will promote energy efficiency in their quarterly newsletter and support engagement at their home sustainability conference in fall of 2026.
The Village of Lansing will employ a multi-faceted approach combining information dissemination, personal contact, and hands-on activities to encourage behavior change. They will utilize different channels like utility bill inserts, social media, local news, and school programs, and will host a series of community workshops to share simple, impactful tips like turning off lights, adjusting thermostats, and using energy-efficient light bulbs.
The Village of Maywood will increase energy literacy among youth and families through interactive workshops, school-based activities, and community events. Additionally, they will train a local network of youth and community leaders as “Energy Ambassadors” to advocate for energy efficiency and sustainability.
The Village of Park Forest will deploy a “mobile energy help desk” at schools, libraries, food pantry mobile truck events, the farmers market, recreation programming, and other village events to provide information on rebates, free energy assessments, and in-person assistance completing applications. Additionally, they will provide hands-on demonstration stations at the Tool Lending Library, the Park Forest Public Library, and the April “Sustainability Expo” to teach residents skills such as installing weather-stripping, using smart power strips, and comparing LED vs. incandescent bulbs. Demonstrations will be paired with take-home kits to support immediate action.
The Village of Skokie aims to reduce the community’s energy burden by connecting low- and moderate-income households with energy efficiency and renewable energy opportunities. Building on the Village’s Home Improvement Program and findings from the Skokie Climate Vulnerability Assessment, Environmental Sustainability Plans, this project will educate residents about household energy efficiency, promote energy-saving behaviors, and expand participation in existing utility and state-supported programs.
WeGo Together for Kids will support and enhance the health, safety, learning, and well-being of children and families through a collaborative, coordinated, and comprehensive approach for the West Chicago community. The project will expand the role of their staff Housing Navigator to include energy efficiency education in their work to help families find safe and secure housing, identify financial assistance for utilities and rent, explain leases, contracts and eviction processes, connect adults with financial fitness programs, and other housing related tasks.
