Wilmette’s new grant program will help cover ‘green’ home projects

Hoping to encourage environmentally sustainable practices, the Wilmette Village Board has approved a pilot program to reimburse eligible residents for their “green” efforts.

The Green Homes Incentive Pilot Program received unanimous approval from trustees on Tuesday, Dec. 9, during the board’s final meeting of the year.

Lucy Mellen, the Village’s sustainability coordinator, said the idea for the program came after the Village conducted its first comprehensive greenhouse gas inventory in 2024. It reportedly found that residential natural gas and electricity use were the highest contributors to communitywide emissions.

Mellen said the Village’s Environmental and Energy Commission and Administration Committee discussed a civic contribution model for encouraging residents to adopt more energy-efficient systems. That conversation led to the development of the Green Homes Incentive Pilot Program.

Funding for the pilot program, $50,000, comes via a contribution from MC Squared Energy Services, the supplier in the Village of Wilmette’s electricity aggregation program that began earlier this year.

According to Mellen, the program will offer one-time grants for residential electrification projects — a base grant covering 50% of the project cost and an income-eligible grant at 70%.

The projects are arranged in three groups:

Group A: Up to a $700 reimbursement, or $1,000 for income-eligible residents, for projects including electric stoves, heat pump dryers, electrical panel upgrades and a Level 2 electric vehicle charger.

Group B: Reimbursements of up to $2,000, or $3,000 for income-eligible residents, for heat pumps, heat pump water heaters and home weatherization, the latter of which Mellen said includes insulation, air sealing and window replacement.

Group C: Up to $3,000, or $4,000 for income-eligible households, for solar panel and geothermal installations.

The program will also provide income-eligibility guidelines, which are based on the average median household income and can be found in the Village Board packet.

Residents applying for income eligibility will need to submit either their most recent tax information, Social Security/TANF benefits, or proof or participation in government-assistance programs.

Mellen said those who are interested in participating in the program need to submit an application, along with any required permits, to the Village. A website with more information on how to apply for the program reportedly is in the works.

Village President Senta Plunkett asked if the program would be only available for homeowners or if renters could apply as well.

Mellen said that the committees would likely not be opposed to applying the grants to rental properties, as long as the property owner was applying for the changes.

Trustee Steve Leonard asked Mellen how the Village plans to incentivize people to apply.

“How do we communicate to people that this is a good idea?” he asked.

Mellen said that information on benefits, including returns on investment, would be added to the Village website.

In response to a question from Trustee Michael Lieber, Mellen said the funds will be distributed on a monthly basis, but if some of the funds are spent before the money comes in, it won’t be an issue because the funds will be replenished the next month.

Plunkett and trustees heard positive feedback for the program.

“I think it’s a great use of those funds,” she said.

Mellen said the program will launch in early 2026 and will be reviewed at the end of the year by the Administration Committee and Environmental and Energy Commission.

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