2025 Powering Safe Communities Program Awards Over $165,000 in Grants to 23 Communities Across Northern Illinois
ComEd and the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus are proud to announce the latest recipients of the Powering Safe Communities Grant Program, kickstarting projects focused on public safety and clean energy in 23 communities across northern Illinois. This latest cohort of grants reflects a long-standing partnership between ComEd and MMC to sponsor grants for local communities. Now in its 11th year, the Powering Safe Communities Grant Program will award more than $165,000 to 23 local communities in 2025.
“Our long-standing partnership with Metropolitan Mayors Caucus represents the commitment ComEd has to investing in the safety and sustainability of our communities,” said Melissa Washington, Senior Vice President of Customer Operations and Strategic Initiatives at ComEd. “By supporting these impactful projects, we help build safer, more resilient communities. These grants help launch projects that provide real benefits to our customers and communities.”
In total, the Powering Safe Communities Program has delivered nearly $2 million in funding to more than 240 different safety and clean energy projects since it launched over a decade ago. Project themes in 2025 range from pedestrian and driver safety initiatives, increasing public AED accessibility, and expanding electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure.
Since 2015, ComEd has partnered with the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus, a council for Chicagoland's chief elected officials, to administer this program. Through this partnership, ComEd provides program funding, an external panel of judges reviews the applications, and MMC administers the grants to local communities. Grant recipients match ComEd’s contribution with their own funding of equal or greater value.
“The Powering Safe Communities Program is a powerful example of how collaboration can drive meaningful change at the local level,” said Neil James, Executive Director of the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus. “We are proud to continue our partnership with ComEd to support innovative, community-centered projects that enhance public safety and advance clean energy goals.”
Below is a summary of ComEd’s 23 Powering Safe Communities grant recipients for 2025:
Brookfield Police Department will purchase two e-bikes and purchase and install two solar-powered speed radar signs to improve sustainable mobility and safety along high-traffic local roadways.
City of Harvey will purchase two AEDs for its City Hall, increasing accessibility to life-saving devices.
DuPage County will purchase and install one DC fast EV charger and install one pre-purchased ChargePoint level 2 EV charger, advancing clean energy at the DuPage Care Center.
Dwight Fire Protection District will purchase battery-powered saws, hand tools, and other equipment for emergency response, replacing aging, gas-powered tools.
Flossmoor Police Department will purchase and install five flashing beacons on pedestrian crossing signs at key intersections to keep residents safe.
Forest Park Fire Department will replace two aging gas-powered chainsaws with two modern battery-powered chainsaws to sustainably upgrade essential equipment.
Fox River Valley Public Library District will purchase, install, and host training for three AEDs in two local libraries, increasing accessibility to life-saving devices.
Johnsburg Police Department will purchase and install four solar-powered speed radar signs to enhance safety for pedestrians and drivers.
Kane County will purchase one solar-powered sign to warn drivers and pedestrians of floods when they occur, blending sustainability with public safety.
Lake Villa Police Department will purchase two e-bikes to enable public safety officers to efficiently cover the 3,784 acres of forest preserves within Lake Villa.
Manhattan Police Department will purchase and install two solar-powered flashing school speed limit signs along a major highway next to a school.
Rainbow Beach Park Advisory Council will install three solar-powered pathway lights, two solar-powered emergency call stations, and two solar-powered phone charging stations to increase safety in the evenings.
Village of Berkeley will purchase and install two solar-powered speed radar signs to increase roadway safety through sustainable infrastructure.
Village of Burlington will purchase and install three solar-powered speed radar signs to increase roadway safety through sustainable infrastructure.
Village of Glendale Heights Police Department will purchase and install four solar-powered speed radar signs to increase roadway safety through sustainable infrastructure.
Village of Lynwood will purchase and install two solar-powered speed radar signs near Sandridge School to increase safety for students.
Village of Lyons will purchase and install one level 3 EV charging station.
Village of Morton Grove will purchase and install one outdoor emergency warning siren with battery backup to replace a non-functioning siren.
Village of South Chicago Heights will purchase and install two solar-powered speed radar signs near schools to increase safety for students.
Village of Summit Police Department will purchase one solar-powered speed radar trailer to be placed around local schools and increase safe driving around students.
Village of Thornton will purchase and install two flashing LED pedestrian-crossing signs, two directional signs for pedestrians, and add crosswalk striping to heighten safety around a busy intersection near a local school.
Village of Waterman will purchase four AEDs, one box, and train personnel on their use. Three of the AEDs will be kept in police vehicles that often arrive at emergencies before an ambulance, as the village is over 15 miles from a hospital.
Winnebago Community Unit School District 323 will purchase 20 stop arm cameras for school buses to increase safety for students.
ComEd is a unit of Chicago-based Exelon Corporation (NASDAQ: EXC), a Fortune 200 company and one of the nation’s largest utility companies, serving more than 10.7 million electricity and natural gas customers. ComEd powers the lives of more than 4 million customers across northern Illinois, or 70 percent of the state’s population. For more information, visit ComEd.com, and connect with the company on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X and YouTube.
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