Illinois Alliance for Clean Transportation Announces 2025 Clean Transportation Leadership Award Winners and Clean Fuels Champion
The Illinois Alliance for Clean Transportation (IACT) has announced this year’s Clean Transportation Leadership Awards and Clean Fuels Champion. A U.S. Department of Energy designated coalition in the Clean Cities and Communities partnership, IACT is a nonprofit working to promote environmentally friendly vehicles and cleaner, healthier air throughout Illinois.
On December 11, 2025, the coalition hosted its Annual Program and Holiday Reception, at the historic Nineteenth Century Charitable Association Landmark Building in Oak Park. The nearly sold-out event recognized several Illinois organizations for their contributions to advancing sustainable transportation and culminated in the announcement of this year’s Clean Fuels Champion.
This year’s top honor was presented to Kara Demirjian Huss of TCCI Manufacturing and DCC Marketing for her leadership in launching the EV Innovation Hub in Decatur, which opened earlier this year.
2025 Clean Fuels Champion
Huss led the development of the new EV Innovation Hub in Decatur this year, securing state funding for a first-of-its-kind $45 million training and research facility. The project strengthens the North American EV supply chain by onshoring key components and expanding workforce and R&D capacity. TCCI invested more than $20 million to upgrade its Decatur facility, creating 50 new jobs and becoming the first recipient of the state’s REV Illinois incentive program.
The 260,000-square-foot Clean Energy Innovation Hub includes an EV compressor production line, the Clean Energy Workforce Academy, and the Climatic Center for Innovation & Research (CCIR). The Academy, launching this fall with Richland Community College, introduces a hands-on clean-energy training model that builds pathways from high school to industry certifications. Opening in 2026, the CCIR will be one of the nation’s most advanced testing facilities for natural refrigerants and next-generation thermal management systems, supported by a $650,000 Illinois EPA grant.
Clean Transportation Leaderships Awards
Eric Pedersen (Forest Preserves of Cook County) – Tom Thompson Leadership in Public Service Award
The Tom Thompson Leadership in Public Service Award honors individuals who reflect Tom Thompson’s legacy of kindness, service, and commitment to clean transportation. This year’s recipient, Eric Pederson, Director of Facilities and Fleet at the Forest Preserves of Cook County, is leading a major shift to cleaner vehicles and infrastructure as part of the District’s Sustainability & Climate Resiliency Plan. Under his leadership, FPCC has deployed electric, hybrid, and propane vehicles—including the region’s first all-electric garbage trucks—and is expanding its fleet modernization in 2025. Supported by a U.S. EPA Clean Heavy Duty Vehicle grant, Pedersen also led the installation of the Preserves’ first public EV chargers, increasing access for millions of visitors. His collaborative approach has reduced emissions, strengthened FPCC’s sustainability goals, and positioned the District as a regional clean-transportation leader.
Village of Bensenville – Community EV Infrastructure Achievement Award
The Village of Bensenville, a verified cohort of the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus EV Ready Program, has demonstrated strong leadership in expanding local EV infrastructure by deploying twenty Level 2 charging ports and eight 240 kW DC fast-charging ports at City Hall and the Public Works facility. Supported by incentives from the Illinois EPA and ComEd, the project was engineered by Christopher Burke Engineering, installed by OKEH Electric, and supplied with Samsung DC fast chargers operated through EV Energy Group’s EVXY Network, with pedestal hardware fabricated in Illinois. Despite tight deadlines tied to incentive requirements, the project team successfully delivered all 28 chargers, which are now fully operational and open to the public. Through participation in the EV Ready Program and ongoing efforts to transition its fleet to clean fuels, the Village continues to engage the community and advance local clean transportation initiatives.
City of Aurora – Municipal Fleet Sustainability Award
In 2025, the City of Aurora expanded its clean fleet with 13 new EVs and 32 hybrids, bringing the total to 19 EVs and 47 hybrids, including 34 hybrid police interceptor utilities. The city also boosted charging capacity by 90% with nine new dual-port Level 2 chargers. Led by the Fleet Maintenance, Electrical Maintenance, and Purchasing divisions, the project navigated complex procurement, budgeting, and supply chain challenges to successfully advance Aurora’s clean transportation strategy. The results include lower fuel use, reduced idling and emissions, and longer service intervals. Aurora also supports community education and reinforces its commitment through policies that prioritize fuel-efficient, low-emission, and alternative-fuel vehicles whenever feasible.
Sebert Landscape – Sustainable Landscaping Award
Sebert Landscape has invested $5 million in fleet electrification, adding more than 200 commercial electric mowers, 400+ battery-powered tools, and the charging infrastructure to support them. From 2023–2025, the company purchased 210 Gravely EV mowers, building on its fleet of 600+ propane units. These electric tools deliver zero emissions, lower noise, reduced maintenance, and greater productivity through quick battery swaps. Sebert also provides extensive hands-on training to ensure crews can safely and effectively use alternative-fuel equipment. As a clean-fuel landscaping leader, Sebert is advancing IACT’s sustainability goals while creating healthier, quieter communities.
Rev Up EVs at Illinois Community Colleges (Illinois Community College Board and Illinois Green Economy Network) – Workforce Development Award
Since spring 2024, the Illinois Community College Board (ICCB) and Illinois Green Economy Network (IGEN) have rapidly expanded clean transportation training across Illinois through the Rev Up EVs Initiative, working with 32 community colleges to develop EV curriculum, upgrade labs, train instructors, and support charger-installer and EV manufacturing programs. In its first year, the initiative reached over 14,500 students and 680 employers, launched more than 90 new training programs, and updated 125 more to include EV technology—establishing Illinois as a national EV workforce leader. Backed by state funding, the effort required fast coordination among colleges, agencies, and industry partners, supported by strong community engagement and events like the Illinois Central College Rev Up EV Showcase.
Innovative Rail Technologies – Public-Private Partnership Award
Innovative Rail Technologies (IRT) has brought its battery-electric locomotive technology to Illinois through a partnership with Motive Power Resources and a network of Illinois suppliers—including TCCI, Ymer Technology, Isolation Dynamics, and the 5 Tool Group—to build Buy-America–compliant, zero-emission locomotives. Supported by the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association, DCEO, and the state’s REV program, IRT is now North America’s largest producer of battery-electric locomotives. After overcoming early partner-sourcing challenges, the consortium has improved production efficiency, reliability, and design. Each locomotive replaces a diesel engine that burns 20,000–40,000 gallons of fuel a year—cutting emissions equal to 100 transit buses and improving air quality in Illinois communities. Through strong engagement with policymakers and industry and environmental groups, IRT is helping grow Illinois’ EV economy, create quality jobs, and accelerate the transition to clean transportation.
ADM Trucking Inc – Clean Freight Industry Award
ADM Trucking is advancing clean transportation through biodiesel innovation, electrification, and major carbon-reduction efforts. The company has deployed 50 trucks using Optimus Vector technology to run on 100% biodiesel (B100), replacing nearly 50,000 gallons of petroleum diesel and cutting emissions. ADM is also expanding public access to B100 with Pilot Travel Centers, added a Ford Lightning EV, and installed workplace charging. These steps complement ADM’s large-scale Carbon Capture and Sequestration project in Decatur. Supported by partners including Optimus, Pilot, American Lung, and the B20 Club, ADM promotes clean transportation through community outreach and industry education.
Honorable Mentions
Dan Friberg – Village of Mundelein
Over the past four years, the city has steadily modernized its fleet by adding hybrid squad cars and administrative vehicles, electric vans for the water department, idle-reduction programs in police and fire, and expanded biodiesel use through B20 Club membership. Driven by one internal champion and strong departmental collaboration, the effort integrated green vehicles into the normal replacement cycle and updated fuel and idling practices. Training and real-world results helped overcome misconceptions about B20 and idling. These actions have cut fuel use, reduced emissions, improved air quality, and delivered health and cost benefits, supported by community outreach and strategic use of grants and incentives.
EV Charging Framework and Pilot Program – City of Chicago
Chicago’s public EV charging network is uneven, with over 40 of 77 community areas lacking stations—especially challenging for residents in multifamily housing without off-street parking. To close these gaps, the City created Chicago Moves Electric, a data-driven, community-informed framework focused on expanding EV access, improving public health, integrating EVs with other mobility options, and building chargers in areas unlikely to see private investment. CDOT engaged residents, fleets, and community groups to shape priorities and is now launching its first curbside charging pilot, guided by community input and targeted site data. The framework is also available in Spanish to ensure broader access.
About the Illinois Alliance for Clean Transportation
IACT is a U.S. Department of Energy-designated coalition in the Clean Cities and Communities partnership, dedicated to advancing zero- and low-emission vehicles and improving air quality across Illinois. The nonprofit brings together businesses, government agencies, utilities, fuel providers, and educational and environmental organizations to promote cleaner transportation and healthier communities.