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Bill

SB 3409

LOC GOV-ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEMS

104th Regular Session Introduced by Neil Anderson and 12 co-sponsors

Illinois bill allows local governments to own and operate energy storage systems to support grid reliability and renewable energy integration.

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Bill Summary · SB 3409

Legislative bill overview

SB 3409 authorizes Illinois local governments to develop, own, and operate energy storage systems within their jurisdictions. The bill establishes a framework allowing municipalities and counties to invest in battery storage, thermal storage, and other technologies to store energy for later use.

Why is this important

Energy storage is critical infrastructure for grid reliability and renewable energy integration, particularly as Illinois transitions toward clean energy goals. Local government ownership could reduce energy costs for municipalities, increase grid resilience during outages, and create a distributed storage network that complements state-level renewable initiatives.

Potential points of contention

  • Private sector competition: Concerns that municipal ownership may compete unfairly with private energy storage companies or complicate existing utility agreements and regulatory frameworks
  • Financial risk and accountability: Questions about whether local governments have adequate expertise, capital, and oversight mechanisms to safely manage complex energy infrastructure and long-term technological investments
  • Rate impacts: Uncertainty over how costs and benefits would be allocated between municipal budgets, ratepayers, and taxpayers, and whether this creates hidden subsidies or inequitable distribution across communities

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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