Illinois Medium- and Heavy-Duty EV Policy Bootcamp

Thank you for joining us at our Illinois Medium- and Heavy-Duty (MHD) EV Bootcamp and Showcase! We heard from many enthusiastic and dedicated individuals from across the MHD electric vehicle supply chain. From key business partners, state and federal agencies, utilities, local school districts, and advocate organizations – the day was filled with possibilities for future collaboration to successfully drive forward the MHD EV sector in Illinois. 

Following are some key takeaways from the event: 

  1. Equity must be at the center of the MHD electrification transition. Illinois’ current MHD fleet creates dangerous air pollution which disproportionately impacts disadvantaged communities and communities of color across the state. The electrification transition is an opportunity to reorient our transit system to work for, not against, the people it serves.  
  2. Illinois has made remarkable progress on its electrification efforts, but without the adoption of policies and standards like the EPA Phase 3 GHG Standards for Heavy-Duty Vehicles, and the Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) rule, Illinois businesses lack the clarity and direction required to invest fully in the transition.
  3. Many areas of the MHD sector are prime candidates for electrification now with fixed route-oriented fleets in private businesses, city and regional transit systems, and school districts showing the maintenance and fuel-saving possibilities of electrification.  
  4. Working with utilities to form concrete plans on how to build out infrastructure, increase capacity, and ensure that the grid can handle a future of widespread electrification must be at the center of future conversations, regulations, and legislation.  
  5. Building out workforce development and educational opportunities for technicians, maintenance workers, and drivers to be able to transition easily, equitably, and safely to working on high-voltage systems in electric trucks, buses, and vans presents a dual opportunity to strengthen the Illinois economy while cleaning up our transportation network.
 

 Event Slides 

 Resources 

Illinois Clean Fuel Standard Factsheet

Illinois Minerals Factsheet

The EC created the Dashboard for Rapid Vehicle Electrification (DRVE) Tool, providing unique, turnkey analysis for light-, medium-, and heavy-duty fleet electrification. By designing this custom-made tool with partner Atlas Public Policy, this total cost of ownership (TCO) tool allows users to upload simple fleet data into an easy-to-use Excel-based tool that can analyze and assess the best fit for EV deployment within minutes, greatly shortening timing from traditional fleet analysis work. This tool works for both private-sector and public fleets, including both local and state fleets.

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) and Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) made historic investments in vehicle electrification, particularly for medium- and heavy-duty (MHD) trucks, by addressing the costs related to MHD vehicles and charging infrastructure.  

This webpage provides an overview of the tax credits and funding opportunities in the BIL and IRA available to help private companies identify and access these funding opportunities for electrifying their operations, even if they cannot apply directly. 

 Agenda

 Speaker Biographies 

Senator Dick Durbin

U.S. Senator of Illinois 

Senator Dick Durbin, a Democrat from Springfield, is the 47th U.S. Senator from the State of Illinois, the state’s senior senator, and the convener of Illinois’ bipartisan congressional delegation. 

Durbin also serves as the Senate Majority Whip, the second highest ranking position among the Senate Democrats. Senator Durbin has been elected to this leadership post by his Democratic colleagues every two years since 2005. 

Durbin serves as Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee and sits on the Appropriations and Agriculture Committees. 

Elected to the U.S. Senate on November 5, 1996, and re-elected in 2002, 2008, 2014, and 2020, Durbin fills the seat left vacant by the retirement of his long-time friend and mentor, U.S. Senator Paul Simon. 

Senator Durbin makes approximately 50 round trips a year between Washington and Illinois. He is married to Loretta Schaefer Durbin. Their family consists of three children–Christine (deceased), Paul, and Jennifer–as well as six grandchildren. They reside in Springfield. 

Governor J.B. Pritzker

Governor of Illinois

Governor JB Pritzker was sworn in as the 43rd Governor of Illinois on Jan. 14, 2019. Since taking office, he has accomplished one of the most ambitious and consequential policy agendas in state history. 

The governor won bipartisan passage for Rebuild Illinois, the largest investment in state history to upgrade roads, bridges, rail, broadband, and schools. He overcame years of fiscal mismanagement in Illinois by proposing and passing a balanced budget every year, eliminating the state’s multi-billion dollar bill backlog, reducing the state’s pension liability, and achieving six credit upgrades from rating agencies. He took bold action to put state government back on the side of working families by creating jobs, raising the minimum wage to a living wage, protecting reproductive rights, making university and community college education more affordable, and advancing equal pay for women. 

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Governor Pritzker saved lives and livelihoods by prioritizing the health and safety of Illinois residents while supporting families and businesses through the COVID-induced recession. To protect hardworking families from additional hardship, one of the defining features of the governor’s response to the COVID financial crisis was launching the nation’s largest pandemic relief grant program for small businesses and the nation’s largest housing assistance program. 

In 2021, Governor Pritzker proposed and signed a comprehensive clean energy bill, making Illinois a national leader on climate action and the first state in the Midwest to pass a law phasing out fossil fuels. 

Before becoming governor, Pritzker founded 1871, the non-profit small business incubator in Chicago. Since its creation, Chicago has been named one of the top ten technology startup hubs in the world, and 1871 was named the best incubator in the world. As governor, he continues to expand support for new business creation throughout the state and cut taxes for hundreds of thousands of small businesses while incentivizing job creation. Since 2019, annual new business startups in Illinois have grown by nearly 70%. Illinois now has the largest growth in small business creation among the largest states in the nation, beating states like California, Texas, Florida and New York. 

Governor Pritzker and his wife, MK, have been married for more than 25 years, and they are the proud parents of daughter, Teddi, and son, Don. 

Senator David Koehler

(D) Illinois State Senator 

David Koehler was born and raised in South Dakota. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Yankton College, in Yankton, South Dakota in 1971. Three years later, he received a Masters of Divinity from United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio. From 1972 to 1978, was a staff member of the National Farm Worker Ministry (NFWM), working on behalf of migrant farm workers. Upon moving to Peoria in 1978, became a community organizer, and later, the program manager for Peoria Friendship House. 

In 1985 was hired as the first Executive Director of PALM, the Peoria Area Labor Management Council, a not-for-profit organization founded to foster cooperation and participation between labor unions and management for both public and private sector groups. In 1992, also became the President for Labor Management Cooperative Health Programs, Inc, a wholly owned subsidiary of the PALM. LMC Health Programs is a purchasing cooperative organization dedicated to improving the quality and value of health care for its members and the community. 

From 1982 to 1988, served on the Peoria County Board as a Democrat from District 5, and from 1989 to 1997, served on the Peoria City Council (non-partisan) from District 3, serving as Mayor Pro Tem from 1993 to 94. He also served on many boards and commissions with subjects ranging from labor-management relations to health care. He was elected to the Illinois Senate in 2006 and promoted to Majority Caucus Whip in 2018 and Assistant Majority Leader in 2019. He is married with three daughters, two sons-in-law, and one daughter-in-law. He is also the happy grandfather of three granddaughters and one grandson. 

Representative Edgar Gonzales, Jr.

(D) Illinois 23rd House District 

Gonzalez was born and raised in Chicago’s Little Village neighborhood on the Southwest Side and attended Chicago Public Schools, including John Spry Community School and Maria Saucedo Scholastic Academy, both in Little Village, as well as Whitney Young Magnet High School. Gonzalez was a member of Congressman J. Garcia’s in-district constituent services staff, focusing on immigration, social security, veterans’ affairs, criminal justice and education. Gonzalez is the son of immigrants from Monterrey, Mexico. His father is an operating engineer and a member of IUOE Local 399, and his mother is a former member of SEIU Local 73. He is a graduate of Harvard University, BA – Government. 

José Acosta

Senior Transportation Policy Analyst, LVEJO 

José Miguel Acosta-Córdova is the Senior Transportation Policy Analyst at LVEJO. He leads the local and state transportation policy work with a focus on freight and warehousing issues in EJ communities. He also serves as one of the Co-Chairs of the Transportation Equity Network (TEN), which is made up of 60 organizations throughout the Chicago metropolitan area that work on issues related to Mobility Justice. He is also currently a PhD student in Geography and GIS at the University of Illinois.  He completed his Master’s degree in Urban Planning and Policy, at the College of Urban Planning and Public Affairs, at UIC. He also holds a Bachelor of Arts in Urban and Public Affairs from UIC. He is the former President and Co-Founder of the Latino Planning Organization for Development, Education, and Regeneration (LPODER) at UIC. LPODER was nationally recognized by the Latinos and Planning Division of the American Planning Association (APA) for its work with high school youth of color, as well as the numerous events they hosted regarding issues facing Latino/a/x people in urban environments throughout the western hemisphere. He is the author of the Latino Neighborhoods Report: Issues and Prospects for Chicago, which he authored during his second year of graduate school while working as a Research Assistant at the Institute for Research on Race and Public Policy (IRRPP). The report received widespread media and was produced for Metropolitan Family Services. It contains demographic information on twelve neighborhoods in Chicago where Latinos are the largest racial/ethnic group, along with an overview of Latinos in Chicago. José is the son of activists and was raised in the environmental justice movement. He was part of the youth group of the SouthWest Organizing Project (SWOP), an organization based in Albuquerque, NM, which fights for racial and gender equality, and social, environmental and economic justice. 

Zac Adelman

Executive Director, Lake Michigan Air Directors 

Zac Adelman has been the Executive Director of LADCO since September 2017. He works at the interface of air quality modeling, ambient monitoring, and air quality planning. Before joining LADCO, he worked for 15 years as an air quality researcher and project manager at the University of North Carolina. 

Zac holds degrees from the UNC Dept of Environmental Sciences and Engineering. He is an atmospheric scientist with expertise in air pollution modeling and ozone chemistry.  

A few of Zac’s interests include improving the representation of emissions sources in air quality models; long-range transport of air pollution; streamlining the analysis and distribution of big data, and developing effective approaches for teaching the practice of air quality modeling, data analysis, and air quality planning. 

Michelle Avary

Vice President, Government Affairs and Product Strategy, Einride 

Michelle is a Vice President of Product Strategy and Government Affairs, North America at Einride. 

She has over 18 years of automotive original equipment manufacturing (OEM) and internet of things (IoT) experience. Prius to Einride, she was Vice-President, Global Automotive Strategies and Products, at Aeris; she is a member of the board, Future of Automotive Security and Technology Research and was instrumental in the development, launch and operation of Toyota’s telematics products in the US, including Safety Connect, Lexus Enform and Toyota Entune. 

Michell holds a BSc from Pennsylvania State University and a MA in Economics from the University of San Francisco. 

Spencer Burget

Policy Analyst, Atlas Public Policy

Spencer is a Policy Analyst at Atlas Public Policy where he contributes to original research and policy analysis on transportation electrification and federal climate investments. Spencer supports Atlas EV Hub and the Climate Program Portal, developing tools to empower the policy community through improved access to data. Spencer also contributes to research and development and strategic advising projects spanning medium- and heavy-duty vehicle electrification, EV charging infrastructure deployment, and total cost of ownership analysis.

Spencer brings experience as a clean energy professional in the non-profit and private sector spanning vehicle and building electrification, renewable energy, and battery storage. Prior to joining Atlas, Spencer worked as an independent consultant providing project support and market research for the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) and other leading clean energy organizations. 

Spencer holds a Bachelor of Arts in Environment, Economics, and Politics from Pitzer College.

Liam Donnelly

CEO & Founder, WasteNot Compost  

 While working at a cafe on the north side of Chicago, Liam began WasteNot at the age of 15. Realizing there was a better use for compostables — and without a license — Liam biked around Chicago servicing members with a trailer. Devoted to operating a sustainable company sustainably, he worked to transform WasteNot’s humble beginnings into the largest all-electric fleet in Illinois. An alum of Loyola University Chicago’s School of Environmental Sustainability (SES), Liam loves all things sustainable and has over ten years’ experience in the waste industry. 

Maura Freeman

Public Policy Lead, Rivian 

Maura Freeman is Rivian’s Public Policy Lead based at the manufacturing plant in Normal, IL. Originally from Danville, IL, Maura moved around the country before settling back into her home state, where she earned her bachelor’s degree at the University of Illinois Springfield and her master’s degree from Illinois State University. Maura is deeply committed to the Ronald McDonald House mission, and cherishes the opportunity to give back and support families in need—in part because she and her family benefited directly from the Chicago House during a hospital stay in 2012. In her free time, Maura enjoys knitting, volunteering, and campaigning for social change in her community  

William Haas

Vice President, AECOM 

William S. Haas (Bill) is an energy industry leader focused on decarbonization, electrification, and new energy solutions. As a Vice President he leads sales, strategy, and growth for AECOM’s energy practice in the Americas. Throughout his career Bill has developed and implemented effective state and local energy policies, facilitated large groups of diverse stakeholders within complex regulatory environments, and overseen some of the country’s largest and most respected decarbonization, electrification, energy efficiency, and renewable energy programs. His specialties include policy analysis and regulatory development, regional and statewide energy planning, climate and sustainability strategies, and large-scale program deployment and management. Bill has been recognized with the Engineering News Record National Top 20 Under 40 award, the Engineering News Record Top Young Professionals award, and the Midwest Energy News 40 Under 40 award. Bill holds a Bachelor of Arts from Lawrence University in Appleton, Wisconsin and a Master’s in Public Administration from Columbia University in New York, New York. 

Samarth Medakkar

Principal, Advanced Energy United 

 Samarth Medakkar leads Advanced Energy United’s work in Illinois and Michigan. His work focuses on engaging and partnering with policymakers, businesses, and other advocates to advance clean energy policies on the regulatory, legislative, and administrative levels. Prior to joining Advanced Energy United, Samarth promoted energy efficiency policies and programs with the Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance, with a focus on building coalitions, improving equitable access to energy efficiency, educating stakeholders, and supporting energy planning. 

Daniel Olson

Electric Vehicle Policy Advisor, Illinois EPA

Daniel Olson joined IEPA as the Electric Vehicle Policy Advisor in early 2023Prior to his current role, Dan worked for the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) for many years on the finance side of transportation planning and energy efficiency programs.  He has also worked in different areas including hazardous materials abatement project management, environmental consulting, data analytics, and low-income energy efficiency programsDan has a master’s in public administration (MPA) in Environmental Science and Policy from Columbia University and a Bachelor of Science degree in International Relations/Environmental Studies from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. 

Brian Ross

Senior Manager of Policy and Projects, bp pulse fleet 

Brian Ross is Director of Policy and Market Development—East for bp pulse fleet. He supports transportation electrification policy actions such as climate and clean air regulations, EV and EV charging requirements and standards, utility interconnection rules and tariffs, etc. He covers states in the Northeast and Midwest and seeks opportunities for bp pulse fleet to provide comprehensive charging services to commercial fleets that convert to electric vehicles. 
 
Brian has 14 years of experience in clean energy policy, projects and program implementation with electric and gas utilities. He was previously with the e-mobility team at Consolidated Edison Company of New York. He was responsible for implementing electric vehicle demonstration projects including curbside EV charging, school bus vehicle-to-grid, and fast charging hubs. The team also worked on initiatives to encourage widespread EV adoption in the New York City metro area. His career started at the New York Power Authority and continued with Public Service Enterprise Group. He started at ConEdison in strategic planning with a focus on renewable energy and end-use efficiency before focusing on EVs full time. He has a Bachelors in Geography and Public Policy from Syracuse University and a master’s in public administration from Columbia University. He lives with his family in New York City. 

Jared Policicchio

Deputy Chief Sustainability Officer, City of Chicago 

Jared Policicchio is an experienced policy and regulatory professional focused on advancing Chicago’s equitable environmental and energy prioritiesCurrently Jared serves as the Deputy Chief Sustainability Officer in the City’s Office of Climate and Environmental EquityPreviously, Jared served as Deputy Director of Policy and Senior Policy Counsel in the Chicago Mayor’s OfficeAmong other projects, Jared works with a team at various City departments to plan and implement the City’s strategy for both electrifying the City’s own fleet as well as encouraging equitable public adoption of EVsJared began his career as an environmental and energy lawyer first at the Environmental Law and Policy Center and then at the City’s Department of Law. 

Adam Raphael

Head of Power & Energy Solutions, Amazon Last Mile  

Executive level finance and strategy professional with experience in technology, energy, consumer goods and financial services. Proven track record of developing and executing initiatives to drive revenue growth and profitability expansion in both new and mature businesses. Collaborative problem solver with history of building and leading teams across industries. Expertise with P&L management, financial planning and analysis, investment prioritization, long range business planning, acquisitions and negotiations.

Brian Robb

Director of Government Relations, Lion Electric Co. 

A lifelong resident of the Chicago area and graduate of DePaul University, Brian comes to Lion Electric having spent the last 8+ years involved in public service and governmental outreach. Most recently, Brian served as Congressman Bill Foster’s Senior Advisor working out of the 11th District of Illinois in the southwest suburbs of Chicago. In this role, Brian worked as the lead liaison on issue areas ranging from National Labs outreach, education, environment, business/manufacturing, organized labor, and more.  Currently, Brian is working to actively engage key government stakeholders on the electrification of the transportation industry as Lion Electric’s Director of Government Relations. Since joining Lion, he has assisted in the navigation of key federal and state legislative efforts to push for stronger clean energy initiatives, and to promote market support for greater EV adoption. Brian is leading the Government Relations team in strategic policy efforts in target states across the country, advocating policy makers for greater funding of the rapidly growing EV industry, and helping Lion continue to be a national leader in the medium and heavy-duty electric vehicle space. 

Brian Urbaszewski

Director of Environmental Health Programs, Respiratory Health Association 

Brian Urbaszewski is director of environmental health programs at Respiratory Health Association, where he works on policy, legislative, legal and educational efforts to increase air quality and improve the lives of people who live with lung disease. RHA was founded in 1906 in Chicago and continues to work at the local, state and national level. In addition to educating the public on the need for greater protection from air pollution, he has helped pass state and local laws to reduce emissions from both vehicles and industrial sources of pollution. His organization has also successfully taken legal action against large polluters. 

Scott A. Vogt

Vice President, Energy Acquisition, ComEd 

Scott A. Vogt, Vice President, Energy Acquisition, oversees electricity supply procurement, wholesale contract administration, and settling the wholesale power market for the ComEd zone, and provides strategic and financial analyses to inform regulatory policy and business development decision making. Scott was a key member of the development and negotiation teams for both the Illinois Electric Infrastructure Modernization Act and Future Energy Jobs Bill (FEJA). ComEd is a unit of Chicago-based Exelon Corporation. ComEd delivers electricity to approximately 3.8 million residential and business customers across northern Illinois, or 70 percent of the state’s population. 

Scott joined ComEd in 1998 as a financial analyst and served in a variety of positions in finance including director of Exelon Corporate Planning, where he was responsible for the development of monthly financial forecasts, monthly financial reporting packages, and Exelon project evaluation. Scott also held positions as the director of financial planning and analysis for both Exelon Nuclear and ComEd. Prior to his appointment as vice president of energy acquisition, Scott was the vice president of regulatory projects where he was responsible for supporting the transmission and distribution rate making processes as well as leading a team evaluating post-EIMA regulatory structures. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business Analysis, Indiana University. 

Aaron Viles

Senior Director of Campaigns, Electrification Coalition

Aaron Viles is the senior director of campaigns at the Electrification Coalition, where he develops and directs campaigns to advance state policy for transportation electrification in seven prioritized states. Aaron manages the Electrification Coalition’s campaigns teams and priority policy portfolios, as well as developing and maintaining governmental, corporate, and NGO relationships for the organization. Aaron has launched the Veterans for EVs program, expanded the EC’s work in the Midwest, and led federal advocacy resulting in the passage of the landmark EV policies in the Inflation Reduction Act.  

Prior to joining the EC, Aaron worked with the Kentucky Democratic Party, supporting nationally-recognized congressional and gubernatorial campaigns. Aaron brings experience in environmental, energy, and online advocacy from his previous work experience.  

Aaron is currently the board chair for Healthy Gulf, a Louisiana-based environmental group. 

Amy Malaki

Amy Malaki is the head of policy and sustainability at SkyNRG and SkyNRG Americas, pioneering global leaders in sustainable aviation fuel production and supply. Prior to SkyNRG, Amy was the associate director for the transportation portfolio at the ClimateWorks Foundation where she developed philanthropic investment strategies to advance a sustainable, equitable and low-carbon mobility system. She also pioneered the organization’s international aviation decarbonization strategy. Prior to that she focused on Asia business development at Better Place, a Silicon Valley electric vehicle network startup. She has a B.A. in Chinese and China studies from the University of Washington and an M.A. in international policy studies (energy and environment) from Stanford University.