Gerald Jones stands outside his Chatham home, where 23 solar panels now cover the roof. Thanks to the state’s Solar for All program, his energy costs have dropped dramatically. But the program’s future is uncertain after President Donald Trump halted more than $130 million in federal funding that was meant to expand it.
Jones, a retired mail carrier, used to pay hundreds of dollars a month for gas and electricity. With rooftop solar, better insulation, and a switch to electric heat, his monthly bill is now just $75.
“The solar panels are the game changer,” Jones said. “I tell everybody: Get it. You can save money and the environment.”
Illinois officials had been counting on the federal funds to expand Solar for All, which launched in 2019 to help low-income households cut costs and access clean energy. So far, just over 2,700 customers have enrolled, but leaders hoped the money would allow far more people to participate at a time when power bills are climbing across the state.
“This program was all about saving people money on their electricity bills, particularly people and communities that haven’t seen the benefits of solar, which is the cheapest and quickest way to build electricity,” said Adam Kent of the Natural Resources Defense Council. His group found that Trump withheld more than $9 billion nationwide from climate-related initiatives.
Gov. JB Pritzker’s administration called the cut illegal, writing to the EPA last month that the move “lacks any legal basis” and will cause “irreparable harm to Illinoisans.” The EPA, under Trump, said Congress gave it the authority to cancel the funding, setting the stage for a legal battle.
Illinois utilities ComEd and Ameren continue to provide tens of millions of dollars annually for solar subsidies through customer bill charges. But state officials warn those funds could run out by mid-2026. The federal cuts don’t affect Illinois Shines, a separate program that offers solar incentives without income restrictions, including options for households to earn utility credits by supporting solar farms.
According to ComEd, rooftop panels installed under Solar for All lower electricity demand during the hottest summer days, easing stress on the grid and reducing costs for all customers. “When people can produce their own power, it’s a savings for everyone,” said Scot Vogt, ComEd’s vice president of strategy, energy policy, and revenue initiatives.
The program also helps Illinois meet its clean energy goals and address climate change. That mission appealed to Tekeyra Moore of Chicago Heights, who joined Solar for All and eliminated her reliance on natural gas. “My bills are now not even half of what they used to be,” she said. “It’s a big savings.”
For Jones, though, the financial relief matters most. On a fixed income since retiring from the Postal Service 12 years ago, he said the savings outweigh everything else. “The main thing is saving me first,” he admitted.
Standing in front of the home his parents bought 70 years ago, Jones shook his head when asked about Trump’s decision. “I think it’s terrible. I really think it’s terrible. God bless Donald Trump,” he added with a laugh.
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