ComEd and Metropolitan Mayors Caucus Celebrate Nine Communities for Advancing EV Readiness Across Northern Illinois
The transition toward electric transportation continues to gain momentum across Illinois, and local communities are playing an increasingly important role in preparing for that future. Demonstrating this commitment, ComEd, in partnership with the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus (MMC), recently recognized nine municipalities that successfully completed the 2026 Electric Vehicle (EV) Readiness Program. The graduating communities were honored during a special ceremony held in Northbrook, Illinois, highlighting their efforts to strengthen local policies, improve charging infrastructure planning, and support the growing adoption of electric vehicles.
The event brought together municipal leaders, sustainability professionals, elected officials, and industry stakeholders from across northeastern Illinois to celebrate the achievements of communities working to create a more sustainable transportation ecosystem. Hosted at UL Solutions in Northbrook, the ceremony underscored the importance of collaboration among utilities, local governments, businesses, and residents in supporting the statewide transition to electric mobility.
Supporting Communities in the EV Transition
As electric vehicle adoption accelerates across the country, municipalities are increasingly tasked with ensuring that infrastructure, permitting processes, emergency response capabilities, and local regulations are prepared to accommodate growing demand. ComEd’s EV Readiness Program was created to help communities address these challenges while positioning themselves to support future transportation trends.
The program, launched in 2022 through a partnership between ComEd and the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus, provides municipalities with resources, technical guidance, and opportunities to share best practices with peers. Through participation, local governments work to identify and remove barriers that may slow EV adoption while implementing strategies that make charging infrastructure more accessible and efficient.
ComEd President and CEO Gil Quiniones emphasized the importance of local leadership in advancing transportation electrification.
According to Quiniones, the EV Readiness Program helps municipalities streamline permitting procedures, enhance public safety preparedness, and improve local policies related to electric vehicle charging infrastructure. He noted that the communities completing the program are helping create the foundation necessary to support a cleaner transportation future while contributing to Illinois’ ambitious electric vehicle adoption goals.
Fourth Cohort Continues Program Growth
The 2026 graduating class represents the fourth cohort of municipalities participating in the EV Readiness Program. Since its launch, the initiative has expanded significantly and has become an important component of northern Illinois’ strategy for preparing communities for transportation electrification.
Participating municipalities engage in a comprehensive process that examines various aspects of EV readiness. These include:
- Updating zoning and development codes to support EV charging infrastructure.
- Streamlining local permitting procedures.
- Enhancing public awareness and community engagement.
- Preparing emergency responders through specialized training.
- Tracking local EV adoption trends and charging infrastructure growth.
- Identifying future infrastructure needs based on projected demand.
By addressing these areas, municipalities can create an environment that encourages EV adoption while ensuring residents and businesses have access to reliable charging solutions.
The program also establishes a framework for measuring progress through EV Ready Community designations. Communities can earn Bronze, Silver, or higher-level recognition based on their accomplishments and implementation of best practices.
In 2026, several municipalities achieved Bronze EV Ready designation, including Northbrook, Downers Grove, and Des Plaines. Meanwhile, Streamwood and Vernon Hills advanced to Silver EV Ready status after previously earning Bronze designation in 2025, demonstrating continued progress in their electrification efforts.
The Critical Role of Local Governments
Local governments serve as the frontline institutions responsible for managing land use, permitting, transportation planning, and community development. As a result, their involvement is essential to ensuring a successful transition to electric transportation.
Kevin Burns, Mayor of Geneva and Chair of the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus Environment and Energy Committee, highlighted the importance of municipal participation in preparing for increased EV adoption.
He noted that communities require practical tools, technical expertise, and policy guidance to effectively support residents and businesses as transportation technologies evolve. Programs like EV Readiness provide local governments with a structured pathway to build capacity while aligning sustainability goals with economic development priorities.
The partnership between ComEd and the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus has created a collaborative environment where communities can learn from one another and accelerate implementation of successful strategies. This regional approach helps municipalities avoid common challenges while promoting consistency across jurisdictions.
Illinois EV Adoption Continues to Expand
The recognition of these nine communities comes at a time when electric vehicle adoption in Illinois continues to grow rapidly.
Currently, approximately 171,000 electric vehicles are registered across Illinois, with the majority operating within ComEd’s service territory. The increasing number of EVs reflects growing consumer interest in cleaner transportation options, as well as expanding vehicle availability and charging infrastructure.
State leaders have established ambitious goals for transportation electrification. Under the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA), Illinois aims to place one million electric vehicles on the road by 2030. Achieving this target will require significant investment in charging infrastructure, policy development, workforce training, and community readiness.
Megha Lakhchaura, Illinois State Electric Vehicle Officer, emphasized that transportation electrification presents an opportunity to create a charging network that is more efficient, accessible, and equitable across communities throughout the state.
She noted that through the ongoing collaboration among ComEd, the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus, and participating municipalities, a total of 45 communities have now earned EV Ready Community designations. These communities are helping establish the policies and infrastructure needed to accommodate future EV growth while supporting statewide sustainability objectives.
Communities Recognized in the 2026 Cohort
The 2026 graduating cohort includes a diverse group of municipalities from across northeastern Illinois. Each community has taken meaningful steps to strengthen its readiness for transportation electrification.
The communities recognized during this year’s graduation ceremony include:
- Burr Ridge
- Des Plaines
- Downers Grove
- Grayslake
- Northbrook
- Pingree Grove
- Streamwood
- Vernon Hills
- Woodridge
Together, these municipalities represent a broad cross-section of suburban communities that are actively preparing for future transportation needs.
Northbrook Highlights Local Sustainability Leadership
As host of the 2026 graduation ceremony, Northbrook showcased its own commitment to sustainability and environmental leadership.
Village President Kathryn Ciesla highlighted the community’s participation in the EV Readiness Program and its achievement of Bronze EV Ready designation. She noted that Northbrook worked closely with members of the fourth cohort to strengthen local readiness while advancing broader sustainability initiatives.
The village also recognized UL Solutions with the first Gold designation under Northbrook’s Green Business Program. The recognition reflects UL Solutions’ ongoing efforts to support safety, sustainability, and environmental stewardship through its global operations.
By hosting the event, Northbrook demonstrated how local governments can combine municipal sustainability programs with transportation electrification initiatives to create broader environmental benefits.
Downers Grove Advances Charging Infrastructure
Among the municipalities recognized during the ceremony, Downers Grove has emerged as a notable example of how public-private collaboration can accelerate EV infrastructure deployment.
Working alongside ComEd, the village supported the installation of nearly 300 electric vehicle charging stations at an Amazon distribution facility after the company transitioned its delivery fleet to electric vehicles. The project represents one of the region’s significant examples of fleet electrification supported by large-scale charging infrastructure.
In addition to supporting private-sector investments, Downers Grove strengthened its local permitting framework by creating specialized permit categories for EV charger installations. Separate permitting pathways were established for residential, multifamily, and commercial properties, helping streamline the approval process for charging infrastructure projects.
Mayor Bob Barnett emphasized that participation in the EV Readiness Program has enabled the community to work closely with regional partners while advancing local sustainability objectives.
Des Plaines Strengthens Regional Leadership
Des Plaines also played a prominent role in the fourth EV Readiness cohort.
The city hosted the cohort’s kickoff meeting and continues to contribute to regional efforts aimed at expanding charging infrastructure and promoting electric transportation.
One of the city’s most significant recent developments was the opening of a 40-bay BP Pulse charging hub in December. The facility provides substantial charging capacity for EV drivers and serves as an important addition to the region’s growing charging network.
Des Plaines has also begun electrifying its municipal fleet through the addition of electric vehicles, demonstrating leadership by integrating EV technology into city operations.
Mayor Andrew Goczkowski noted that participation in the EV Readiness Program has provided valuable knowledge and resources that support continued expansion of electric transportation opportunities for residents and businesses alike.
ComEd’s Broader Commitment to Transportation Electrification
The EV Readiness Program represents only one aspect of ComEd’s broader efforts to support transportation electrification across northern Illinois.
The utility has developed a comprehensive portfolio of programs designed to assist residential, commercial, and public-sector customers in transitioning to electric vehicles. These efforts include free fleet electrification assessments that help organizations evaluate opportunities to convert vehicle fleets from conventional fuel sources to electric alternatives.
ComEd also administers incentive and rebate programs that support both vehicle purchases and charging infrastructure installations. These programs help reduce financial barriers while encouraging wider adoption of electric transportation technologies.
To date, ComEd has distributed more than $200 million in EV incentives and rebates. The funding has supported electric vehicle deployment and charging infrastructure development across more than 360 Illinois ZIP codes.
Importantly, the company has prioritized equitable access to transportation electrification benefits. More than 81 percent of incentive funding has been directed toward Equity Investment Eligible Communities (EIEC) and low-income customers, ensuring that the benefits of cleaner transportation are shared broadly across diverse populations.
Building the Foundation for a Sustainable Future
As Illinois works toward its goal of one million electric vehicles by 2030, local communities will remain central to the success of transportation electrification efforts. Programs like ComEd’s EV Readiness initiative help municipalities develop the policies, infrastructure plans, and organizational capabilities necessary to support long-term growth.
The graduation of nine additional communities in 2026 represents another important milestone in the state’s transition toward cleaner transportation. Through collaboration, innovation, and strategic planning, these municipalities are helping create an environment where electric vehicles can thrive while delivering environmental, economic, and public health benefits for future generations.
With 45 communities now recognized as EV Ready, the partnership between ComEd and the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus continues to demonstrate how regional collaboration can accelerate progress toward a more sustainable and electrified transportation future for Illinois.
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