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Kane County reports grant wins, compost pilot, EV charger expansion and solar plans under Climate Action Plan
Summary
Kane County staff told the Committee of the Whole they have advanced multiple Climate Action Plan actions since the plan's June 2024 approval, including a USDA-funded organics diversion pilot, EV-charging planning and solar installations at county facilities, and committed to further research and quarterly reporting.
Jody Wallnick, director of Environmental and Water Resources, updated the Kane County Committee of the Whole on implementation of the county’s Climate Action Plan, which the county board approved in June 2024. Wallnick said staff and resident volunteers are researching and piloting selected actions from the plan’s 250 recommended measures and working with partners to secure grants and implement pilots.
Why it matters: the plan covers eight sectors and aims to reduce county greenhouse gas emissions while producing co-benefits such as energy savings, improved emergency preparedness and waste diversion.
Key accomplishments. Wallnick listed several funded initiatives now underway: a $396,000 U.S. Department of Agriculture grant to launch a pilot organic diversion and composting program at the judicial center and partner sites (Northern Illinois Food Bank, Kane County Cougars and Sherman Hospital). Staff estimated the pilot would divert about 2,120,000 pounds (1,060 tons) of food scraps from landfill.
Under transportation and land-use efforts, Wallnick said county staff secured funding through an Energy Efficiency Community Block Grant program and referenced a $286,000 award and an additional $9,286,090 in related funding the presentation cited; the county used that funding to identify gaps in electric-vehicle charger coverage. Wallnick said the county’s analysis found just 14 percent of its rural population currently lives within two miles of an EV charger and that planned chargers could increase that access to about 44 percent of rural residents. The county also pursued rebates and federal tax credits to reduce the cost of installing chargers and reported nearly $60,000 saved so far from tax credits and ComEd rebates.
Other actions reported included a $10,000 ComEd grant to install solar-triggered flood-risk warning signs in frequently overtopped road locations; an existing solar facility at the judicial center generating estimated savings of about $307,000 per year; and a county goal to study solar potential on all publicly owned facilities by 2027. Wallnick said partners include the Conservation Foundation, Illinois–Indiana Sea Grant (ARPA-funded projects), Kane-DuPage Soil and Water Conservation District and several county departments.
Questions and next steps. Commissioners asked for implementation details and timelines. Wallnick said the county will continue research cycles for the plan (a third research cycle is scheduled for late fall/early winter), seek grant opportunities to support EV infrastructure in underserved areas, expand low-income weatherization using electric-aggregation funds (pending board approval) and return with periodic updates. A board member requested quarterly reports to the full board so members can track progress.
Discussion versus decisions. The committee received a staff briefing; staff reported secured grants and pilot plans but did not request or record any formal vote during this session.
Ending: Wallnick asked board members and residents to consider joining the working groups; staff plan further research, grant applications and pilot launches in 2026 and will provide the final research products and regular updates to the committee and board.
