Illinois Solar for All (ILSFA) has released an update to the Income-Eligible Communities (IEC) Map for the 2025-2026 program year. As detailed in Section 8.10.3.1 of the 2024 Long-Term Renewable Resources Procurement Plan, the Income-Eligible Communities Map identifies census tracts in Illinois where at least 50% of households earn under 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI). Income-Eligible Community designations are updated yearly and are based on annually published data from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
For the duration of the 2025-2026 program year, income-eligible census tracts from both the 2023 and 2025 versions of the map will be considered Income-Eligible Communities for program requirements and project selection, if applicable. A location in either an Income-Eligible Community or Environmental Justice Community is required for eligibility in the Illinois Solar for All: Non-Profit and Public Facilities sub-program, which opened for project submissions today.
The Income-Eligible Communities Map features two data layers, including updated census tracts from 2025 and previous census tracts from 2023, and a “Find Address” feature to navigate the tool. As analysis is based on individual households’ relationship to area income rather than to their neighbors, results from the 2025 data results in more census tracts gaining rather than losing designation as an Income-Eligible Community. There were no changes to census tract boundaries.
The updated Income-Eligible Communities Map is now available to view.