Casey's next big thing: Illinois' first electric vehicle charging station built through federal program now up and running

Casey's next big thing: Illinois' first electric vehicle charging station built through federal program now up and running

Casey, home to some of the world's largest things, received another big item from IDOT: The state's first electric vehicle charging station built through the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Program. Illinois Transportation Secretary Gia Biagi joined community leaders July 22 at the Mach 1 gas station on Illinois 49 near Interstate 70 to cut the ribbon on the first of many charging stations that will soon dot the state.

"These new chargers are an important step forward in making the governor's EV goals a reality, while creating economic opportunity by connecting Illinois communities to a national network of stations," Biagi said. "Some of the strongest interest we're seeing for electric vehicle charging is coming from rural areas that see the benefit of having travelers stop in their towns to charge up and spend their dollars at local stores and businesses. We look forward to adding many more throughout the state in the weeks and months ahead."

In addition to opening the new station, IDOT announced it is awarding $23.5 million through the third round of funding in the program for 29 new projects as part of the effort to build a network of chargers along the interstate system. The new station and the latest round of grants will make travel by electric vehicle even more reliable and accessible while creating economic opportunity for communities, advancing Gov. JB Pritzker's continuing commitment to make the state an industry leader and fight climate change by putting a million EVs on Illinois roads by 2030.

Administered by IDOT using federal funds through the Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act, the state's NEVI program aims to accelerate the adoption of EVs by providing the public access to fast charging throughout the state. The program is part of a series of comprehensive initiatives to achieve the state's goal of becoming a leader in manufacturing and deploying electric vehicles.

The project in Casey built four DC fast chargers, made possible through a $854,641 competitive grant to Phillips 66, in collaboration with Meyer Oil and Electrify America. Additional station locations will continue coming online this summer.

The $23.5 million in the latest round of grants announced in Casey represents Round 3 of NEVI funding in Illinois and will facilitate the construction of 140 new charging ports. Each of the 29 locations will have at least four DC fast charging ports to fully charge a typical EV from empty in less than 30 minutes.

Among the charging stations to be built:

Champaign County

• $641,600 to Universal EV, AmericInn by Wyndham Urbana-Champaign University Area, 1908 N. Lincoln Ave., Urbana.

Cook County

• $1,152,068 to Heartland Charging Services, Arlington Heights Memorial Library, 500 N. Dunton Ave., Arlington Heights.
• $1,360,605 to Heartland Charging Services, village of Oak Park, 130 N. Marion St., Oak Park.

Kane County

• $1,350,295 to Heartland Charging Services, city of Aurora, 62 N. Broadway, Aurora.

LaSalle County

• $654,600 to Universal EV, city of Ottawa, 301 W. Madison St., Ottawa.

Lee County

• $817,222 to EVgo Services LLC, Infinity Ventures Real Estate Group LLC, 1602 S. Galena Ave., Dixon.

Sangamon County

• $644,418 to Universal EV, Days Inn by Wyndham Springfield, 5970 S. Sixth St., Springfield.

St. Clair County

• $656,320 to Universal EV, Subway, 224 S. Madison St., Lebanon.

Will County

• $1,339,515 to Heartland Charging Services, 19818 La Grange Road, Mokena.

The entire list can be viewed at Drive Electric Illinois or by visiting idot.click/drive-electric. All awards are contingent on the selected recipients entering into a grant agreement with IDOT.

The application period for Round 4 of NEVI grants wrapped up this week, with a notice of funding opportunity for approximately $30 million. Selected locations will be announced by the end of August.

Through the first three rounds of NEVI, IDOT has conditionally awarded $67.2 million for 91 stations, making possible 489 ports.

More information on NEVI in Illinois, including a map of locations identified for chargers, can be found on the IDOT website at idot.click/NEVI.