Weatherization Rebate Program for Kane County Farmers
On June 10th, 2025 the Kane County Board approved Resolution 25-198, creating the Farmer Weatherization Rebate Program. This program allocates $20,000 from the
Electric Aggregation Fund for the purpose of incentivizing Kane County farmers to weatherize their homes.
This program will offer two rebates based on the type of residential heating used:
- $500 for Kane County Farmers using Nicor; OR
- $800 for Kane County Farmers using other residential heating sources such as propane.
How to Qualify for the Rebate:
To qualify for the weatherization rebate, you must meet the following criteria:
- Proof of Residence in Kane County (Provide
one of the required documents)
- Illinois Driver's License
- Utility Bill (Dated within 90 days of submitting your application)
- Bank Statement (Dated within 90 days of submitting your application)
- Voter Registration Card
- Proof of Occupation as a Farmer
- Proof of DIY or Work Complete by a Qualified Contractor
Farmers can weatherize their home themselves or hire a contractor to complete the work. Depending on the farmer's preference, the following guidelines must be met:
DIY
- Must complete air sealing or attic insulation to qualify for the rebate;
- Must take a before and after picture of the weatherization;
- Provide receipts of all materials purchased for weatherization.
Qualified Contractor
A qualified contractor is a vetted contractor by Nicor. If you use Nicor for your residential heating, working with one of these qualified contractors can help you qualify for Nicor's rebate program.
- Must complete air sealing or attic insulation to qualify for the rebate;
- A bill or invoice containing:
- Contractor Name and Contact Information
- Installation Address
- Installation Date
- Total Cost of Installation
- Proof of Payment
Frequently Asked Questions:
1. What is weatherization?
Weatherization refers to the modification of a building's interior to protect against the outdoor elements such as moisture and temperature changes depending on the season.
Weatherization has several benefits such as:
- Lessening unwanted temperature changes depending on the season. This helps you feel more comfortable in your home year-round.
- Lessens the amount of energy needed to heat or cool your home, reducing your energy bills.
- Improves your indoor air quality.
2. What weatherization measures do I need to complete to qualify for the rebate?
Farmers must complete air sealing and/or attic insulation to qualify for the rebate.
Air sealing: The process of finding and eliminating air leaking in and out of a home.
Attic insulation: The process of adding material between empty spaces in the attic to lessen the transfer of air, heat, or cold air into the home.
A 2023 study by the American Council for and Energy-Efficient Economy found that weatherization measures such as air sealing and attic insulation can reduce a home's energy usage by 12 to 18 percent.
3. Where does funding for the Farmer Weatherization Rebate Program come from?
Funding for the Farmer Weatherization Rebate Program (FWRP) comes from the Electric Aggregation Fund (fund 421). Kane County voters approved a referendum in 2014, affirming Kane County's authority to arrange for the supply of electricity (Ordinance No. 13-344). Civic contributions received as part of this program go directly to residents for energy efficiency and other measures to reduce their monthly bills.
4. Can I DIY my Weatherization?
Yes! Just make sure you complete the following steps:
- Take before and after pictures of your DIY work;
- Complete at least air sealing or attic insulation to qualify;
- Provide receipts of the materials you bought (ex: insulation, caulk, weatherstrips).
5. Is funding still available?
Yes! As of September 2025, $18,000 remains. If you would like more information on the number of rebates dispersed, you can view our monthly reports at the bottom of the page.
6. What is a qualified contractor?
For the purpose of this rebate, a "qualified contractor" refers to a contractor vetted and approved for Nicor Gas' Contractor Circle. The Contractor Circle requires contractors to install eligible products listed from the Nicor Gas Energy Efficiency Program.
Depending on the zip code of your residence, you will see between 9 to 15 qualified contractors to choose from. This list of contractors is meant to be informational and not an endorsement, promotion, or recommendation of the contractors listed. Rather, Kane County expects interested parties to research each of the listed contractors before entering into any contractual agreement.
You can find this list by going to
https://www.nicorgas.com/residential/find-a-contractor.html
Make sure you click on the "home" button, select "air sealing and insulation" in the options bar, and enter you zip code before you search for a qualified contractor.
7. How long does it take for a contractor to weatherize my home?
A few weeks to a month. The time required varies depending on the contractor's present workload and inventory.
8. How long will it take to receive my rebate?
You can expect to receive a check from the Kane-DuPage Soil & Water Conservation District within 5 to 12 days.
This will vary depending several factors such as what day you apply, when you get approved, and whether or not you elect to receive your rebate by mail or in-person. As a general rule, rebate checks will be mailed or available for pickup on Fridays at 2315 Dean Street, Suite 100, St. Charles, IL 60175.
9. I qualify for an $800 rebate, why do I need to submit a W-9?
All rebates over $600 are considered taxable income by the IRS. As such, we are required to collect W-9's from all participants so we can send 1099 Forms with the rebate information at the end of the year. The impact this will have on your specific tax liability depends on your personal situation, and we recommend speaking to a tax professional to understand whether and how much your rebate may be taxed.
Personal information provided on the W-9 will be used by Kane-DuPage Soil & Water Conservation District for tax reporting purposes only.
10. Am I eligible for other rebates or financial incentives?
YES!
Any residents of Kane County, regardless of whether or not you are a farmer, qualify for the
25C tax credit under the Inflation Reduction Act. The tax credit reduces the cost of materials used for weatherization, such as air sealing (caulk & weatherstrips) and insulation (cellulose, foam, fiberglass) by 30% or up to $1200 on qualifying products. However, the credit does not apply to the labor used to complete the contracted work.
You can find some educational materials on the 25C tax credit by clicking on icon above titled, "Federal Tax Credit Information" or read through the Step-by-Step guide. We recommend that you discuss any tax-related questions with a financial advisor.
Due to the passing of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, the 25C tax credit will expire at the end of the year. We strongly advise you take advantage of this tax credit before it's too late!
Kane County residents who use Nicor Gas for their residential heating can also apply for rebates under Nicor's Energy Efficiency Program. The program offers a list of rebates every year, prioritizing home energy savings such as installing a smart thermostat, sealing air leaks, and adding insulation to the attic.
Currently, Nicor has exhausted their rebate funding for air sealing & attic insulation in 2025. We still advise you move forward with weatherization this year as you can take advantage of the Federal Tax Credit (see information above).
For additional information on Nicor's Annual Rebates, click on the icon at the top of this page titled, "Nicor Rebate Information".
Program Information
