(The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker and ComEd officials celebrated the completion of a solar energy field in Chicago Heights. It is northern Illinois’ 100th solar field to be completed.
The Verduin solar farm was completed on Thursday and plans to be in service by the end of the year. The project was a part of Pritzker’s Climate and Equitable Jobs Act.
Pritzker said solar energy has been a priority since he took office in 2019.
“Since day one as governor, I’ve made it my mission to advance clean energy throughout our state, ushering in a new era of environmental justice and sustainability for every community,” Pritzker. “That’s why, in 2021, I signed my administration’s landmark Climate and Equitable Jobs Act, which increased funding for the Illinois Solar for All program, giving lower-income customers access to initiatives like Reactivate’s Verduin community solar project.”
The Climate and Equitable Jobs Act spends more than $80 million in taxpayer money annually for solar energy and will include more construction on farms across the state.
“Whether you are talking about Adams County, or Alexander County, or Sangamon County or right here in Cook County, it is a big state and we are transforming it all,” Pritzker said.
The Verduin solar farm is one of the largest in the state, with 5,200 solar panels placed over 20 acres of land, and ComEd expects those using the solar field to see up to a 50% reduction in their monthly energy bill.
