INA, Ill. (October 7, 2026) — Rend Lake College was awarded a $200,000 grant toward the Academic Building Energy Efficiency Project by the Illinois Green Economy Network (IGEN).
The project will replace approximately 2,200 square feet of original single-pane windows with a 1,066-square-foot high-performance window system, while also replacing 315 square feet of lower-level windows and installing new energy-efficient double doors. Reducing the overall amount of glazing will allow for 1,152 square feet of new insulated exterior wall construction, significantly improving the building envelope to reduce heat gain and heat loss, and supporting the College's ongoing sustainability efforts.
*Use the arrows to see the current RLC Student Center and the rendered version.
Assistant Director of Facilities Management and Campus Operations Lynne French shares how the Academic Building Energy Efficiency Project improves the building's overall efficiency and advances RLC's commitment to its students, community and Net Zero Plan.
“We’re excited to have the opportunity to improve the energy efficiency of the Academic Building, and the support from IGEN has helped make this project possible," said French. "Replacing the old single-pane windows and adding more insulated wall construction will help reduce energy loss and improve the building’s overall efficiency while continuing to work toward the goals of our Net Zero Plan.”
IGEN is a consortium of all 39 Illinois community college districts, formed in 2008. IGEN’s mission is to provide a platform for collaboration among all Illinois community colleges and their partners to drive growth of the green economy.