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Expired, Repealed, and Archived Illinois Incentives and Laws

The following is a list of expired, repealed, and archived incentives, laws, regulations, funding opportunities, or other initiatives related to alternative fuels and vehicles, advanced technologies, or air quality.

Federal Biodiesel Tax Credit Promotion

The Illinois Legislature urges the U.S. Congress to enact legislation to extend the tax credits for domestic biodiesel production. (Reference Senate Resolution 808, 2010)

Neighborhood Electric Vehicle (NEV) Access to Roadways

NEVs may operate only on streets with posted speed limits of 35 miles per hour (mph) or less, if authorized by the local government. NEVs are allowed to cross a road or street at an intersection where the road or street has a posted speed limit greater than 35 mph. Local governments may also restrict NEV access on their streets. NEVs are defined as self-propelled, electronically powered, four-wheeled motor vehicles (or a self-propelled, gasoline-powered four-wheeled motor vehicle with an engine displacement under 1,200 cubic centimeters) that are capable of attaining speeds of more than 20 mph, but not more than 25 mph. (Reference House Bill 6094, 2010, and 625 Illinois Compiled Statutes 5/1-148.3m and 5/11-1426.1)

Global Warming Mitigation Initiative

The Illinois Climate Change Advisory Group was created to provide recommendations to the Office of the Governor regarding climate change policy and the statewide reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. Strategies to address these issues include development of clean, renewable, and homegrown energy resources; and reducing greenhouse gas emissions though the production and use of biofuels and other alternative fuels. (Reference Executive Order 11, 2006 (PDF 29 KB)) Download Adobe Reader

State Energy Independence Plan

The Governor of Illinois developed an energy independence plan that sets a goal of replacing 50% of the state's energy supply with homegrown fuels by 2017. Specifically, in relation to biofuels, the plan will: 1) invest in renewable biofuels by providing financial incentives to build up to 20 new ethanol plants and five new biodiesel plants; and 2) increase the number of gasoline stations that sell biofuels, to ensure that all gasoline stations in the state offer E85 by 2017, help the auto industry increase the number of flexible fuel vehicles they produce, and increase public awareness about E85.

Support for Increased Fuel Efficiency Standards

The state legislature supports the federal initiative to increase the Corporate Average Fuel Efficiency (CAFE) standards to an industry average of 35.5 miles per gallon in 2016 and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from motor vehicles by approximately 30% over this same period. (Reference House Joint Resolution 63, 2009)

Biofuels Research and Development

The Renewable Fuels Research, Development, and Demonstration Program is administered by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. The goals of this program are to promote and expand the use of biofuels such as ethanol and biodiesel as clean, renewable transportation fuels, and accelerate the commercialization of new renewable fuel technologies and products. The Biofuels Business Planning Grant Program, a subsidiary of the Illinois Renewable Fuels Research, Development, and Demonstration Program, provides grants of up to $25,000 for the development of business plans, engineering studies, design studies, permit applications, and legal work for potential new biofuel facilities in Illinois.

State Agency Vehicle Acquisition Priorities and Biofuels Use

The Illinois Department of Central Management Services (CMS) is directed to take all actions necessary to enable the procurement of 2% biodiesel fuel blends (B2) for the state's diesel vehicle fleet and also investigate ways to increase availability of E85 for the state's flexible fuel vehicle (FFV) fleet. The CMS is directed to advise the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity in developing a plan to facilitate the use of E85 and B2 in the state fleet and expand the E85 and biodiesel fueling infrastructure. Additionally, the directors of all executive agencies using the state's fleet of FFVs are directed to implement policies and procedures requiring state employees to use E85 and B2 in state vehicles whenever practical. Furthermore, state agencies are permitted to establish priorities for the acquisition of FFVs, especially hybrid electric vehicles that are capable of using E85, as well as diesel vehicles capable of using biodiesel. (Reference Executive Order 7, 2004 (PDF 113 KB)) Download Adobe Reader

Hybrid Electric Vehicle Rebate

Through the Green Rewards Program, the Illinois State Treasury offers a $1,000 rebate for the purchase of a new hybrid or other fuel efficient vehicle. Participating banks and credit unions agree to accept a discounted deposit rate from the state for one year in exchange for providing the $1,000 rebates to Illinois residents. The original vehicle purchase date must be on or after July 15, 2007, and rebates are available for one year. Rebates are available for new compressed natural gas, hybrid electric, electric, and fuel cell vehicles with less than 7,500 miles. Buyers must receive financing from a participating financial institution.

Green Vehicle Fee Reduction - Wilmette

Vehicle license fees paid to the Village of Wilmette are reduced for vehicles that have superior environmental performance for reducing air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. The discounts are as follows:

• $25 for vehicles manufactured after model year (MY) 2006 and designated SmartWay by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), or MY2000 through MY2005 vehicles that received scores of at least 6 on both the EPA Air Pollution and Greenhouse Gas scores and a combined score of at least 13.
• $50 for vehicles manufactured after MY2006 and designated SmartWay Elite by the EPA, or MY2000 through MY2005 vehicles that received scores of at least 9 on both the EPA Air Pollution and Greenhouse Gas scores.

(Reference Ordinance 2006-O-77 (PDF 20 KB) and Wilmette Village Code)

Alternative Fuel Use Study

The Director of the Department of Central Management Services was instructed to prepare a thorough and comprehensive motor vehicle fleet management study, including, among other items, a proposal or recommendation for the implementation of means to research and promote the cost effective use of alternative fuels in state owned motor vehicles, particularly those fuels utilizing Illinois agricultural products. (Reference Executive Order Number 2, 2003)

Hydrogen Economy Prospecting

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) and the Illinois Coalition, along with 70 leaders from industry, academia, and the public sector, met in April 2003 with the vision of creating an Illinois industry around future developments in the field of hydrogen and fuel cell technology. Based on the recommendations of the group, the Illinois Coalition and DCEO formed a public-private partnership, Illinois 2 H2. These activities led to the publication of a report in March 2004, "The Hydrogen Highway: Illinois' Path to a Sustainable Economy and Environment" which includes numerous recommendations including the establishment of a 'Hydrogen Highway,' a corridor of hydrogen energy demonstration projects situated around I-90, with the purpose of stimulating the Illinois economy and protecting the environment.