Chicago City Wire

State-owned buildings are upgrading their lighting systems, potentially saving taxpayers millions of dollars, according to the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity (IDCEO).

The Free Lights Program program is being administered by the IDCEO's Office of Energy & Recycling with the help of Illinois Central Management Services (CMS) and Grainger Industrial Supply. The groups have collected $6.4 million to modernize state facilities and is expected to result in savings of approximately $16 million in reduced energy bills.

“Programs like Free Lights show that with a little creativity and collaboration, state agencies can work together to quickly reduce the cost of government for taxpayers and increase efficiency,” IDCEO Director Sean McCarthy said in a statement. “These energy cost savings are dollars that can be reinvested back into Illinois communities to help grow our economy and create a better quality of life for Illinoisans.”

Sean McCarthy, Illinois Department of Commerce Director | www.illinois.gov

The facilities involved in the initiative are spread across the state, and include CMS, the Tollway Authority, the Secretary of State, and the Illinois departments of Human Services, Natural Resources, Corrections, Transportation, Veterans Affairs.

“CMS operates with the mission of serving as responsible stewards of the state’s limited capital and resources,” CMS Acting Director Michael Hoffman said. “Certainly, the Free Lights program is a testament to the collaboration of the Rauner administration, through DCEO and other Illinois state agencies, aimed at delivering real dollars-and-cents results for taxpayers."