Written by: Jamie Roth, Community Services & PR Director
(March 3, 2026) – WIRC-Community Action Agency (WIRC) is proud to offer a free 8-hour certification for licensed general contractors, plumbers, painters, and individuals in related trades. The course is the Environmental Protection Agency Renovation, Repair, and Painting (EPA RRP) Renovator Certification. Once earned, the certification is effective for five years.
WIRC officials say the State of Illinois continues to fund housing and weatherization programs, and WIRC manages these programs for Fulton, Hancock, Henderson, Knox, McDonough and Warren Counties. The agency, which is a nonprofit, needs to add contractors to their system so they can assist more households. Officials further emphasized that while many residents pay nothing for these home improvements, contractors of WIRC projects do get paid for their work.
The course is scheduled for Friday, March 20, 2026, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at WIRC’s Main Office, 133 West Jackson Street, Macomb, Illinois 61455. Lunch will be provided to those who attend.
To register, contact Darrin at WIRC by calling 309-837-2997 or completing an online registration form linked at https://ow.ly/gweC50YozwC. The registration deadline is Thursday, March 19.
This certification course is possible thanks to a partnership with University of Illinois, an EPA Accredited Training Provider. Funding is provided through a grant by the Department of Energy Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (DOE-BIL).
WIRC-Community Action Agency (WIRC) partners with people and communities to improve lives and neighborhoods in multiple western Illinois counties. Their main office is in Macomb at 133 West Jackson Street and can be reached at 309-837-2997. WIRC’s branch office is located in Galesburg at 313 East Main Street, and their business line is 309-837-5115.
To learn more about the agency’s programs that are designed to help people and change lives, find WIRC on social media or visit https://wirpc.org/. Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.