SPSS RUSH Evergreen Climate Innovations Illinois Clean Energy Innovation Fund

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency awarded a contract to Evergreen Climate Innovations, a Chicago-based Illinois not-for-profit corporation, under small purchase procurement procedures. The contract, valued at $99,999, was executed on April 22, 2026, with a completion date of June 30, 2026, and a maximum total term not to exceed ten years including renewals and extensions. Evergreen will perform all services within Illinois and is responsible for administering and managing the Clean Energy Innovation Fund, which originated from U.S. Department of Energy State Energy Program grant awards previously managed by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and transferred to the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency effective July 1, 2017.

Under this contract, Evergreen will identify, evaluate, and support early-stage clean energy businesses located in Illinois through sourcing and evaluation of applicants, conducting business diligence and investment underwriting, managing the revolving investment model, tracking capitalization and monetization events, and monitoring qualified financing events for potential equity conversion. Evergreen must maintain compliance with federal Department of Energy requirements and provide quarterly reporting on applications received, investments made, fund recipients, employment data, minority and women-owned business participation, and investments in Environmental Justice Areas of Concern. The contract is firm fixed price with no subcontractors permitted and is contingent upon appropriation availability.